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!
Naturally Gaited Horse

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Jennifer, Makana (bottom right) and Lady (center).

Happy Thanksgiving

By Jennifer Klitzke

It has been quite a year to say the least. And we have all experienced it in one way or another. Yet, I am thankful for another day to ride, another day to live, and another day to love.

I am thankful to have finally landed a full-time job six-weeks before COVID shut down the world. I am thankful to still have a job through this time of COVID while many people are on furlough.

Then a couple months later came the tragic death of George Floyd in my city that stormed the world with public outcry for justice. Many people lost their businesses to looting, arson and rioting. This impacted my husband’s business significantly. Again, I am thankful to have a full-time job.

A couple months later, my husband father passed away. Soon after my husband’s uncle passed away with COVID. He was a health man, who in fact was a high-level medical physician for decades. COVID is no respecter of person.

A couple months later, I lost my Arabian and less than two weeks later I lost my dog. So, it has been a sad year. Yet, I am thankful to still be working full time and have the opportunity to ride my naturally gaited horses.

My greatest apologies for my lack of gaited dressage posts this year. Since March, I have been working from 7am to 9pm most days with a break for lunch and dinner to ride. While I haven’t had much time to write, thankfully, I have been recording my rides. I have exciting insights to share about my experiences with Legerete for the naturally gaited horse. I have made a few gaited dressage posts and can’t wait to unpack more details soon!

I hope you all have a wonderful Facetime Thanksgiving with those you love and have some time to horse around with your naturally gaited horses.

Blessings!

Jennifer, Makana and Lady