All posts by Jennifer Klitzke

"Dressage is more than trot...and the saddle you ride in." -Jennifer KlitzkeSome traditional dressage riders believe that dressage is ONLY for horses that trot. While many gaited horse owners believe that dressage will MAKE their gaited horse trot. Others believe that teaching their gaited horse to trot on cue will ruin their horse's natural gait.I challenge these notions and here's why...Dressage improves the quality of natural movement in a horse whether it trots or has a smooth four-beat gait.Dressage is a French term for training the horse and rider. Whether a horse is ridden in an english or western saddle; whether the horse trots or gaits, it doesn't matter. Dressage brings about the best natural movement whether the horse walks, trots, flat walks, fox trots, or canters.Why? When a rider grows in knowledge, awareness, and application of a balanced riding position with the horse's center of gravity and applies effective use and timing of leg, rein, seat, and weight aids to communicate with the horse, dressage improves relaxation, balance, rhythm, connection, harmony, engagement, straightness, and collection. These elements improve the quality of movement and the full range of motion. For the naturally gaited horse, this means, smoother gaits, deeper strides, and a sounder horse for longer.Enjoy the journey!
The Versatile Gaited Horse

Smoothest All-Terrain Vehicle: a Gaited Horse in the snow

riding a gaited horse in the snow

Riding a gaited horse in the snow is the best way to dash!

Smoothest All-Terrain Vehicle: Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow

By Jennifer Klitzke

Do you experience months and months and months of snow-covered winter? I do. For decades I enjoyed riding my horse year-round at a facility with an indoor arena.

Then my husband and I moved to the country. No more indoor arena for year-round riding (so I thought). The months and months of winter wore on until my longing to ride broke free one snowy day. I piled on many layers of miss-matched clothing and ventured to the barn on a quest to ride my smooth gaited horse.

That year I discovered how much fun it is to ride on a one horse (moving smooth) in the snow. My gaited horses, Makana and Lady, became my go-to smooth, all-terrain vehicles.

Here are three tips on winter riding…

Safety while Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow

Some years ice prevents our winter riding. Too slippery. I don’t want to chance a fall for me or an injury to my horse. Other years, bitter, below-zero temperatures broke through the mixed-matched layers. Frost bit is too great a risk.

Then there are winters that are perfect for snow riding! Cool temperatures for snow without melting and re-freezing to create the icy conditions.

Saddle rack in snow
Saddle rack riding a gaited horse in the snow.

Staying in Shape Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow

Winter riding is a great way to keep my naturally gaited horses Makana and Lady in shape. Riding year round allows our gaited dressage progression to move forward without a couple months of reconditioning due to five months of a winter break.

Riding a gaited horse isn’t as much exercise as riding a horse that trots, unless you ride bareback. Winter bareback riding is a great way to stay in shape and stay warm. The horse’s body conducts a lot of heat that you don’t experience when riding in a saddle.

Riding my smooth gaited horse Lady bareback in the snow.

Importance of Cool Down After Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow

Riding in snow is a lot of work for the horse, so I don’t want to overexert my horse. Plus, it is important that I cool my horse off properly with a wool cooler before turning them out. The last thing I want is for my horse to get chilled or sick.

Walking in Wonderland: Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow

The video below captures footage from the winter of 2013. We had a perfect snow season and Makana and I took advantage of it. We entered spring in great condition for endurance rides and lost no time for gaited dressage. The video shows multiple gaits on cue in the snow.

Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow

Enjoy your winter and stay safe riding your gaited horse in the snow!

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