3 Reasons You Should Buy A Gaited Horse
By: Adriannah Parsons
Why buy a gaited horse vs. a “regular horse”? There are many reasons. Whether you know nothing about horses or you’re a skillful equestrian, gaited horses are always a good option. Horses aren’t for everybody but if you’re thinking about buying one consider a gaited horse. There are many types of horses for different types of riding or “disciplines”, but gaited horses are extremely versatile and can fit under many types of disciplines.
3.) A Smooth Ride
Gaited horses move in a different way than other horses, making riding them a lot easier (Pascoe 2001). Trotting horses move in a two-beat gait where the horses diagonal legs move in unison. The horse moves in an up and down “bouncing” movement. Depending on the breed of gaited horse they move in many different gaits. The most common gait of a gaited horse is the Rack. When a horse racks the two legs on one side move in unison.The rack also has a shorter stride length than the trot (Stern 2011). A rack looks as though the horse is walking with his hind legs and trotting with his front legs. When riding a trotting horse you either have to post (move up and down) with the horse’s trot or learn to sit the trot which takes some time to learn. When riding a racking horse you move from side to side rather than up and down like with a trot. This makes the ride much smoother because you can just move with the horse rather than having to learn how to ride it. Essentially a racking horse is much easier to ride (Pascoe 2001). Gaited horses are also a good type of horse for people with medical problems that make riding more difficult and painful for them (Moor 2005). “Through generations of breeding, gaited horses also tend to have mellow temperaments” (Stern 2011). You usually don’t feel sore after riding a gaited horse, like you do after riding a trotting horse for a long time. Gaited horses are also gaining some popularity. From 1977 to 2005 the number of Tennessee Walking Horse Registers in the U.S. went from 6,212 to 13,500 (Kilby 2005). This concept makes gaited horses great trail horses because you can ride them for long periods of time without being in pain (Stern 2011).
Trotting Horse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwLbXcp4X4g
Racking Horse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vLIO7Z8lQ
Who wants to bounce up and down the whole ride like that?
2.)They Are Extremely Versatile and GREAT Show Horses!
Contrary to popular opinion gaited horses can do more than just trail ride. Gaited horses are just like trotting horses. They can ride all different types of disciplines. (Jahiel) People seem to think that just because a horse is gaited means that they can’t do things like jump, barrel race, or herd cattle. Gaited horse are capable of all of these things. A horse will do whatever you train them to do regardless of their natural movement. People also believe that you can’t show gaited horse. Which is COMPLETELY untrue (Jahiel). “From ranch work to police work, to handicapped-riding programs there are hard-working gaited horses everywhere. They often do well in open competitions, and are increasingly popular for such activities as competitive trail riding and endurance riding” (Jahiel). Unless a class in a show says “Walk/Trot No rack” you can show your gaited horse in whatever class you like. There are even specific shows and classes just for gaited horse to show how great they are!
Yeah, gaited horses make “terrible” show horses.
1.) Yes, They Can Actually Canter!
Also contrary to popular believe gaited horses have the ability to canter. Most people believe that gaited horses can only rack and walk. Just like any other horse, if you teach them to do something they will most likely do it. A lot of gaited horse owners do not allow their horse to canter as fear that at a faster rack they will break into a canter (What’s So Special…). That completely depends on the horse. Some gaited horses will break into a canter and some won’t, it just depends on the horse. Some gaited horses even naturally canter without you having to train them to do so. The best way to teach a gaited horse to canter is to teach them a very specific cue for the canter that they won’t confuse with any other cue (What’s So Special…). Most riders of gaited horses wish to improve the forward speed and extension of the faster gait for their breed, so most teach a specific cue for the canter (What’s So Special…). Gaited horses often have some of the best canters because they have a naturally swift and beautiful movement to them. Gaited horses are capable of a lot more than people give them credit for.
Hmmmm, looks like a “real” canter to me!
As you can see gaited horses are a lot more capable than a lot of people give them credit for. They are very fun to ride, they are very versatile, they are amazing show horses, and they can canter just like other horses. There are many different breeds to choose from and different horses to suit your particular skill level and necessities. Gaited horses are not for everyone but they are definitely a type of horse to notice and consider since they are so underrated. If you are thinking about getting a horse I would highly recommend a gaited breed due to their many talents and just being overall wonderful horses!
Works Cited:
Carpenter, Brandon. "Gaited Horse Myths and Mendacities." Gaited Horse Myths and Mendacities. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.
Jahiel, Jessica, PhD. "10 Gaited-Horse Myths: Busted!" N.p., n.d. Web.
Kilby, Emily R. "The Demographics of the U.S. Equine Population." N.p., 2005. Web.
Moors, Debbie. "The Golden Gait." Horse & Rider 44.4 (2005): 112.Middle Search Plus. Web. 6 Apr. 2016.
Pascoe, Elaine. "Go Gaited!." Horse & Rider 40.8 (2001): 62. Middle Search Plus. Web. 6 Apr. 2016.
Stern, Nicholas C. "Exhibition showcases gaited horses' smooth ride, mellow manners." Frederick News-Post, The (MD) 13 Nov. 2011: Newspaper Source. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
"What Is so Special About Gaited Horses?" Special about Gaited Horses. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Another common gait for a gaited horse is a pace. The rack and the pace are different but very similar. That’s a little too complicated for this article though.
ReplyDelete-Gave More insight into gaited horses.
People also believe that all gaited horses are very hot and hard to handle. Every horse has their own personality and temperament, regardless what their gait is.
ReplyDelete-Another argument that anticipates the readers knowledge.
In my opinion, these classes are more fun and exciting than some other traditional classes.
ReplyDelete-Added more of my argument and opinion on the issue.
“Most riders of gaited horses wish to improve the forward speed and extension of the faster gait for their breed, so most teach a specific cue for the canter.”
ReplyDelete-Needed to have quotations but didn't
I mean, why not get a gaited horse, they’re awesome!
ReplyDelete-Made the conclusion more exciting.