Category Archives: The Versatile Gaited Horse

Dressage for the Gaited Horse, Gaited Dressage Videos, Gaited Horses and Cows, The Versatile Gaited Horse

Video: Gaited Dressage and Cows?

Western Gaited Dressage

What do you get when you blend dressage with a gaited horse and cows? An application of western gaited dressage, naturally!

By Jennifer Klitzke

I took my Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom (Makana) to an “Introducing Your Horse to Cows” Clinic held at Hi Circle Vee Ranch in Isanti, MN. We were the only gaited team among 19 quarter horses, paints and appaloosas which turned a few heads and raised usual the question, “What kind of horse is that?”

This clinic was a terrific confidence booster for both horses and riders of all ages. Horses were gradually introduced to cows over the fence and then individually in a round pen with a coach. We let the horse slowly walk up and sniff the cows and then picked a cow to follow. Once each horse discovered that they were empowered to move the cow, their fear was replaced with confidence.

I had a hunch that once Makana realized she could move the cows, her gift of bossiness would take over. And was I ever right! Within a minute she was pushing the cow along with little help from me.

After we moved the cow around, we were coached to ride ahead and cut the cow off to change directions and keep the cow from joining the herd. The sneaky cows figured out a way to make a break back to the herd and that’s where the dressage training really paid off. It became a game between horse and cow and strategy on the part of the rider. Lots of changes of direction, transitions from walk, canter, gait, halt, bending, turning on the forehand, and turning on the haunches. Only the beautiful expression of riding on the bit was thrown out the door when my horse turned cowy and developed the desired pinny ears and death stare.

It was a super fun time to get out of the frozen tundra and try something new. I’m lucky to live near two barns that offer open sorting and team penning practice each week. Stay tuned, there might be more of this in our future!

Video: Introducing my gaited horse to cows

Video: Gaited dressage and cows coaching session

I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.

Visit website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com
Subscribe: Naturally Gaited youtube channel
Follow: facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse

Dressage for the Gaited Horse, The Versatile Gaited Horse

Gaited Dressage: Many Firsts in 2012

Looking back over the year, there were many firsts for me and my eight-year-old Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom (Makana). From learning how to jump to Western gaited dressage to trail obstacles to riding at a Larry Whitesell 5-day gaited dressage clinic to introducing over a dozen people to riding a gaited horse, 2012 was a year to remember!

Gaited horse jumping

In January, Makana and I began jumping lessons to see if training a gaited horse how to jump would improve the quality of her canter.
Story: The Trick to Jumping is to Never Scare Them

Western gaited dressage

In March Makana and I gave a Western gaited dressage demonstration at a Western dressage clinic.
Story: Gaited Dressage Featured at Western Dressage Clinic

In May Makana and I showed Gaited Dressage: Intro A, B, and C for the first time at the Three Ring Circus schooling dressage show—our largest schooling dressage show yet with over 200 horses entered and only one of them gaited.
Story: Gaited Dressage: From First Level to Intro?

Gaited Horse Over Cross-rails

In June me and my gaited dressage horse took a stab at jumping over a cross-country course of ground rails at the Rocking R schooling dressage and jumping show.
Story: Gaited Dressage and Jumping at Rocking R Farm Schooling Show

Western Gaited Dressage at Rocking R

In July and August, Makana and I showed at two schooling dressage shows that offered Western gaited dressage, and we took home our first scores over 70%!
Story: Western Gaited Dressage at Rocking R

Gaited Dressage Clinic with Larry Whitesell and Jennifer Bauer

Then in August, Makana and I traveled to Wisconsin for a five-day gaited dressage clinic with Larry Whitesell and Jennifer Bauer.
Story: Gaited Dressage Clinic with Larry Whitesell and Jennifer Bauer


Trail obstacles

Also in August was our first lesson through trail obstacles at Judy Conger’s farm.
Photo Gallery>

First ride on a gaited horse

In 2012 many people were introduced to riding a gaited horse for the first time. Some of my favorite quotes were: “I feel like I’m not going any where but the ground is moving.” and “How do you know what gait you’re in when they are all smooth?”

Feel and release

In September Hannah Rivard of Cambria Horsemanship introduced me to a unique training method called “Feel and Release” which has helped Makana be more forward with less prodding on my part.
Story: Gaited Dressage: Feel and Release

Gaited Dressage First Level Test Three

In October we showed Gaited Dressage: First Level Test Three for the first time at the Rocking R Farm schooling dressage show.
Story: Gaited Dressage: 88 Entries and Only One of them Gaited

What will 2013 bring? Hopefully many more opportunities to ride my gaited horse at schooling dressage shows and inspire other gaited riders to give it a try.

Starting a Gaited Horse Over Jumps, The Versatile Gaited Horse

Gaited Dressage: A Course of Ground Rails

Gaited horse jumping

By Jennifer Klitzke

Gift of Freedom, my 8-year-old Tennessee walking horse and I are preparing for our first stadium class at the next schooling show (over ground rails, mind you.) In preparation for the show, I googled the Internet for a basic stadium course that I set up at home with ground rails.

 

Yes, jumping over a course over rails even improves our gaited dressage! The course pictured above helps me work on bending, rhythm, balance, and communication with my horse. Since we have been dabbling with jumping, Makana’s canter has improved and consequently, her flat walk has improved. She has more of a true three-beat canter and her stride has increased at a flat walk.

I’m telling you, this jumping stuff is so fun whether you have a gaited horse or one that trots. Give it a try and you can’t help but smile! (And let me know how it goes.)