I was beginning to wonder if I would be retiring with my smooth gaited horses, Lady and Makana when a few unexpected blessings showed up just in the nick of time. Meet the next chapter of quality smooth gaits.

Here’s my story…

Next Chapter of Quality Smooth Gaits

By Jennifer Klitzke

It’s hard to believe that nearly 15 years have gone by in my smooth gaited dressage journey with Makana, my first naturally gaited horse. She arrived as a three-year-old into the first chapters of Naturally Gaited. Then a few years later came Lady, my grade fox trotting mare. Together we explored that “Dressage is more than Trot” in developing quality smooth gaits.

Why dressage for the gaited horse?

Previous to smooth gaited horses, I had 20 years experience as an avid dressage rider with non-gaited horses that trot. I learned how to develop a balanced riding position and communicate through effective use and timing of leg, rein, weight, and seat aids to lead a horse into relaxation, balance, forward movement without rushing, rhythm, connection, straightness, and collection over time. This process improves the horse’s quality of movement and the full range of motion.

If this is true for non-gaited horses that trot, I believed that dressage would also develop the full range of motion and quality smooth gaits as flat walk, fox trot, and saddle rack. For the naturally gaited horse, this means smoother gaits; longer, deeper strides; and a sounder horse for longer.

The first fifteen years of Naturally Gaited proves this hypothesis: Dressage is more than Trot in developing quality smooth gaits.

While still sound and rideable, Makana and Lady have reached their retirement years. I have enjoyed a remarkable dressage journey with both smooth gaited horses, unique in their own way.

So what’s next for Naturally Gaited, I thought?

I began pleading with my husband to purchase another gaited horse. He kept saying, “No.” The thought of downsizing and retiring were all to compelling to him.

Retiring?

I’m thinking…I’m too young to retire. I’m too young to retire from training horses. I’m too young to retire from Naturally Gaited. I’ve got another quality smooth gaited generation to raise!

Meanwhile, I check out gaited horses for sale. For my first 30 years of equestrianism, finding a good registered training prospect for under $2,500 was common. Today’s prices are astonishing! Grade gaited horses are priced at double that. Registered gaited horses for sale are triple or more!

At the same time, auctions are full of gaited horses. Many are priced under $1,000. If not sold, they join the tens of thousands placed on trailers to Mexico for slaughter. It breaks my heart.

I seriously looked into saving one of these auction horses, but after the cost of the horse, vetting, 4-6 weeks quarantine, and transportation, I’d be looking at thousands to save a horse I never met. A horse of unknown handling, unknown breeding, unknown temperament, unknown age, unknown health, unknown soundness. Too much risk at too high a cost.

Next step, I applied for adoption with a few reputable rescues who take in gaited horses. I was approved, yet so were many others. The young gaited horses were snapped up as soon as they arrived.

Then a dear friend, fellow horse lover, and a follower of Naturally Gaited, contacted me and desired to contribute towards the adoption of a new horse.

I was beginning to wonder if there would be a horse to adopt?

The riding season was quickly coming to a close. The days growing colder and darker. Would there be a next chapter of quality smooth gaits? Would I be forced into retiring with my gaited horses after all?

Then last week my heart stopped. (In a good way.) I saw an ad for an unbroke Tennessee walking horse gelding. I immediately texted for more information.

After a few text exchanges, I went for a visit the next day. His name is Mellum’s Midnight Marvel, and his price was EXACTLY the amount my friend had on her mind to contribute.

Marvel is a friendly fellow, a curious character, and has striking beauty. I like his balance, his uphill build, how he uses himself, and how he moves.

Returning home, I couldn’t get Marvel out of my mind. I envisioned him at my place running with my smooth gaited mares, Lady and Makana. I saw him as the next chapters of Naturally Gaited and of quality smooth gaits made possible through dressage.

I pleaded with my husband ONE MORE TIME, and he finally said, “yes” to one more horse.

Sharing the good news with my friend, she said, “God works in mysterious ways.”

Picking Marvel up the next week, the previous owner said, “This was just meant to be.”

Introducing the next chapter of quality smooth gaits: Marvel

I am humbled with gratitude and thanks for the generous gift from my dear friend that has allowed my naturally gaited journey to continue and for her passion for horses to continue.

Stay tuned as the next chapter of quality smooth gaits unfolds.

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.