All posts by Jennifer Klitzke

Gaited Horse Training

A Year in Review: Dressage with an Unstarted Gaited Horse

A Year in Reiew: Dressage with an Unstarted Gaited Horse

A year ago, I acquired a three-year-old unstarted gaited horse thanks to the help of a friend. Today this four-year-old and I are riding dressage solo through the woods. Here’s a review of this colt’s first year under saddle with dressage.

A Year in Review: Dressage with an Unstarted Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Mary and I have been horse friends for many years. Then COVID closed the world and drew everyone apart. The internet helped us stay connected, at least 1D. It is hard to ride horses that way, though. Thankfully, my horses are near.

Only, my horses are getting up in age. So are we, according to my husband.

While my husband has been set on downsizing and golf courses, I am way too young for retirement. I know many who still ride non-gaited and smooth gaited horses into their senior years. That means I’ve got at least one more horse to raise. After all, whacking a ball with a stick hasn’t been my gig. (Dreams of gaiting the manicured greens, on the other hand, that’s my jam!)

“No. No. No!” Said my husband every time I brought up the idea of another horse.

10-9-21-marvel
Meeting Marvel, a 3-year-old unstarted naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse gelding.

On October 7, 2021, “No. No. No!” didn’t stop me. I went to see him anyway. His name was Marvel, a three-year-old, unstarted Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse gelding. I had a feeling about him. It became an even stronger feeling when I saw him. Kind of like seeing the puppy at the Humane Society, only x 10.

Just how would I convince my husband to change his mind?!

Meanwhile, my Facebook activity tipped off Mary. Likes and comments about horse rescues and rehoming gaited horses caught her eye. Unaware of my husband’s resistance, she offered to help with the rehoming fee. Turns out, her willingness to help, was enough to sway my husband’s “No. No. No!” to “yes.”

Elated, Marvel arrived October 16, 2021. It would be up to me now to prove this decision was worth pushing off his downsizing golf course retirement dreams.

Marvel(ous) Milestones

Recap of our first year starting a gaited horse under saddle with dressage

Introducing the bridle to a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse
Here’s Marvel getting acquainted with a Mullen Happy Mouth full-cheek snaffle bit.
Learn More: Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit
introducing the bridle
Introducing the bridle and working in hand helped Marvel learn to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact while learning stretching exercises at a halt and then in hand at a walk. This became excellent preparation for saddle training.
Learn More: Introducing the Bridle and Working In Hand
lunging a gaited horse
Marvel and I learn communication through lunging. First with a halter and lunge line, then with a snaffle bit and halter, then with a saddle no stirrups, bit and halter. Later we added the stirrups. Learn more: Lunging a Gaited Horse
Liberty and jambette with a gaited horse
My Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse, Marvel, enjoys liberty, jambette, and Spanish Walk. Learn More: Jambette and Spanish Walk with a Gaited Horse
starting a gaited horse under saddle using dressage first time in saddle
Six months of lunging and in-hand training a gaited horse paid off when I began saddle training. Pictured is my first time sitting on Marvel’s back.
Learn More: Starting a Gaited Horse Under Saddle
Fun to visit with Mary and watch her and Marvel interact.
Working the walk to develop quality smooth gait
Working the walk to develop quality smooth gait.
Marvel hits the trail solo
Marvel enjoys exploring. (Thank you, Mary for taking this beautiful photo of us!)

My husband has witnessed the joy Marvel has brought the last year and realizes he doesn’t have to live on a golf course to golf (and we can push back retirement for another day)!

Did somebody say cheese
Did somebody say, “Cheese?”

What are your thoughts? Please reach out and send me a message or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaited.