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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

How Shoulder-in Helps Break Up Pace

how shoulder in can break up pace

The shoulder-in is a great exercise for any horse, especially a gaited horse that paces. It diagonalizes the footfall sequence to break up pace, encourages a relaxed and soft position, develops balance, suppleness and strength.

The shoulder-in is a great exercise for any horse, especially the naturally gaited horse that paces, because this exercise diagonalizes the horse’s footfall sequence leading to a smoother gait. The shoulder-in is one of several exercises that helps break up a lateral footfall sequence to develop a smoother four-beat gait. Plus, the shoulder-in is a terrific exercise to teach balance.

First of all, let’s look at some of the reasons a naturally gaited horse paces, and then how the shoulder-in can help the horse develop a smoother gait.

Why do naturally gaited horses pace?

Some naturally gaited horses are inherently wired with a tendency to pace. Yet, there is hope for horses like this by teaching the shoulder-in.

Other reasons the naturally gaited horse paces are the horse feels blocked by a tense or stiff rider and riding in a saddle that pinches and causes the horse to tense and hollow its back. In either case the horse is unable to naturally swing its back resulting in pace or stepping pace. Learning a balanced riding position and riding in comfortable, well-fitting equipment is a must.

Adding to tension is a naturally gaited horse ridden with braced contact, a harsh bit, or riding with two-handed contact in a curb bit. The horse tenses its lower jaw leading to stiff, braced movement. Often the horse learns to avoid the contact by dropping their nose behind the vertical. Teaching the naturally gaited horse how to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact is a great way to teach relaxation of the mouth leading to smoother gaits. Learn more: Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit | Naturally Gaited Horse

Another reason a naturally gaited horse paces is a weak back, loading their shoulders, and disengaging the hind leg steps (not tracking up under their body mass with the hind leg steps). Teaching the horse how to perform a shoulder-in on a circle can transform pace into a four-beat walk while also suppling and strengthening the back and hind leg steps.

How can the shoulder-in help develop a smooth gait?

The shoulder-in is a three or four track lateral exercise that helps diagonalize the horse’s foot fall sequence which breaks up the lateral steps of pace. Plus, it relaxes and softens the horse while strengthening the inside hind leg as it steps under its body mass. The hind legs and the front legs cross over, but not at the same time. The shoulder-in is not a side pass, rather it is a lateral bending exercise.

The shoulder-in also helps the naturally gaited horse learn balance by engaging the hindquarters, lifting the back, raising the chest and shoulders. The benefits include strengthening the inside hind leg as it steps under its body mass and helping the horse become soft, supple, flexible, and symmetrical.

The shoulder-in can be ridden in a straight line or the arc of a circle. The shoulder-in along the rail or arena wall is a great way to guide the rider and horse through a few steps. After the rider and horse understand the exercise along the wall, the shoulder-in is also a beneficial exercise on a circle.

Shoulder-in on a circle

The shoulder-in on a circle is an excellent remedy for the pacey naturally gaited horse because it diagonalizes its foot fall and makes the forelegs slow down while the hindleg steps take bigger strides. This relaxes the horse’s back by the alternating right and left hind steps. After a few steps in shoulder in on a circle, the horse can be directed into a straight line as long as the horse maintains a four-beat walk. As soon as the horse begins to pace, the shoulder-in on a circle resumes to break the lateral foot fall sequence.

in hand shoulder in with a gaited horse
Introducing the shoulder in along the rail and in hand.

The best way to introduce the shoulder-in is in hand. Then once the horse understands the movement, it can be performed with a rider at a slow walk. When both the rider and horse are moving as one in a shoulder-in, the exercise can be applied at a slow gait.

Now let’s look at the rein, leg, seat, and weight cues.

What are the shoulder-in cues?

There are many ways to cue the horse for the shoulder-in using the reins, legs, seat and weight aids. Over the years I have learned a few ways which are outlined below. Most importantly, it is most helpful to the horse to remain consistent with the aids after a method is adopted.

Let’s take a look…

Four ways to cue the shoulder-in

Shoulder-in cues version 1

Shoulder in
Shoulder in along the rail
(Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at five years old)

I began riding dressage with non-gaited horses and learned to apply the shoulder-in on a straight line with the following aids.

  1. Inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend
  2. Outside leg behind the girth to hold the haunches along the bend
  3. Outside rein to keep the head and neck from over bending
  4. Inside rein to encourage softness and a slight bend

Shoulder-in cues version 2

Jennifer and her 6-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us lateral exercises.
Jennifer and her 6-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us lateral exercises.

In 2010, I took my then six-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse to a Larry Whitesell, a gaited dressage clinician, who introduced me to another set of cues for the shoulder-in.

  1. Outside leg at the girth
  2. Inside leg behind the girth encouraging the horse to step its hind leg under its belly
  3. Outside rein keeps the horse from over bending the neck, inside rein applies a slight give-and-take with the fingers to encourage softness and a slight bend
  4. The rider’s shoulders turns to face the direction of movement and slightly more weigh is applied in the outside iron

At first this method was counter to my habit of learning the first version. Yet after trying it I was amazed how easy my horse grasped the shoulder-in and how effortless it is for me to ride it.

Larry has a DVD set that demonstrates the shoulder in as well as other exercises. It wasn’t until I rode with him that I realized how a soft and light contact can be. Larry has traveled all over the country to teach riders the benefits dressage has for the naturally gaited horse leading to smoother gaits.

Shoulder-in cues version 3

Shoulder-in on a circle
The shoulder-in on a circle diagonalizes the foot fall sequence helping to break up pace.

I learned of another way to cue the shoulder in with my rein, leg, seat and weight aids when I began studying the School of Legerete by Classical French Dressage Master Philippe Karl through his books and DVDs.

  1. The rider first teaches the horse how to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact. This is important in order for the horse to relax the mouth, tongue, lower jaw and poll. Learn more: Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit | Naturally Gaited Horse
  2. The rider sits slightly to the inside if applying the exercise on a circle and slightly to the outside if applying the exercise on a straight line
  3. Inside leg is at the girth to encourage the horse to step under its body mass and toward the outside front leg
  4. Outside leg at the girth
  5. Inside hand is raised while requesting the horse to relax the jaw, mouth and poll and bend inward enough to see the inside eye
  6. Outside hand is lowered at the wither.
  7. If the horse leans on the bit, both hands are raised to meet the corners of its mouth with a nudge upward until the horse carries its own head and neck

Visit: Philippe Karl

Shoulder-in cues version 4

2024 Lady pelham shoulder-in on a circle
Riding Lady, my 20-something grade gaited horse on a shoulder-in on a circle.

In 2024 I began learning and applying shoulder-in on cues as taught by Heather Moffett through her Online Classical Equitation Academy and book, “Enlightened Equitation.”

  1. Outside leg from the hip to the foot are drawn behind the girth and follow the belly sway
  2. Inside thigh and calf are positioned at the girth also following the belly sway while encouraging forward movement
  3. The rider draws their inside shoulder back when riding shoulder-in on a straight line (outside shoulder back when riding shoulder-in through the bend of a corner or on a circle)
  4. Outside rein at the wither to keep the horse from over bending the neck,
  5. Inside rein lifts to soften the lower jaw and ask for a slight bend to the inside enough to see the eye; when the horse responds, the inside hand can be lowered to the neutral position alongside the outside hand
  6. The rider maintains equal weight in the irons and a balanced following position which helps the rider not collapse and allows the horse to lift its back instead of hollow

Visit: enlightenedequitation.com

Why not give each shoulder-in method a try and see which one makes most sense for you and your horse. Then remember to be consistent with your rein, leg, seat, and weight aids to improve your communication with your naturally gaited horse to smoother gaits.

More Exercises for Gaited Horses to improve quality smooth gaits.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Showing Gaited Dressage

Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse shown at a running walk in a First Level dressage test for the gaited horse.
My barefoot and naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse and I are showing dressage at a flat walk and running walk instead of trot.

Showing Dressage with a Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Yes, you can show your naturally gaited horse in dressage without trotting!

This is great news for those of us who love to show. Showing gaited dressage is growing in popularity around the USA—both english and western variations. Virtual shows allow you to compete without leaving home.

Are you interested in riding your naturally gaited horse at a dressage show but not sure what to expect? I’ve ridden my Tennessee Walking Horse and grade gaited horse at traditional schooling dressage shows for years. This video shares tips on riding a dressage test with a gaited horse.

Watch: Tips on Riding a Dressage Test with a Tennessee Walking Horse

Schooling dressage shows

Schooling dressage shows are a great way to give dressage shows a try. In this friendly environment, you’ll receive constructive feedback from an experience dressage professional on where you and your horse are at in your training—what’s working and what needs improvement. Plus, you don’t have to wear the stuffy suit or braid your horse’s main, unless you want to. Casual riding attire is the norm at schooling dressage shows. The only requirements are riding with a helmet, boots with a heal, and riding in the right equipment: legal snaffle and english saddle for tradition dressage and some western dressage allows a legal curb or snaffle and a western saddle.

Riding a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at one of three North American Western Dressage Association Shows
Riding a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse in virtual North American Western Dressage Association Shows.

I love riding dressage tests because they are written to help the horse develop symmetry. All movements are shown traveling clockwise and counterclockwise. Invariably, one direction is more challenging for my horse and for me as a rider. Showing dressage encourages me to face my weaknesses and address challenges I might otherwise avoid, like breaking up the left lead canter that can get pacey or break into a cross canter. (Of course, not all dressage tests require canter. The Intro level tests generally require halt, walk, and a smooth gait like flat walk.)

Showing dressage with my naturally gaited horse challenges me to become more aware of how my riding position and use of aids affect my horse. The dressage test helps me communicate more precisely through the use and timing of my hand, leg, seat, and weight aids to guide my horse through each movement at the letter. This also means preparing my horse before each transition. Each test leads my horse through a variety of gaits and postures to develop quality smooth gaits and full range of movement.

Yet by facing weaknesses, my horse becomes more supple and stronger and improves symmetry, while I become a more confident rider and our partnership grows.

Five benefits to showing gaited dressage

  • Introducing your horse to unfamiliar sights and sounds
  • Being in the spotlight, alone in the arena with the judge’s undivided attention through several minutes of your test
  • Confirming where you and your horse are at in your gaited dressage training by a professional judge
  • Receiving your test sheet with scores and remarks from the judge to know what went well and what needs work
  • Bragging rights if all goes well!

Showing is not a requirement to learn dressage

For me, dressage is more than riding a test at a show. It’s about continually learning to become a more educated rider; developing a balanced riding position; awareness of feel; the use and timing of my hand, leg, seat, and weight aids; how my riding position and aids effect my horse.

Gaited dressage is about seeking to declutter my mind and be present with my horse; to listen to, understand, and respond to my horse in a two-way dialogue and partnership using my voice, my hand, leg, seat, and weight aids.

Gaited dressage is a mobile communication language

Gaited dressage is how I communicate with my horse whether I show or not.

  • Gaited dressage is while riding at home in my arena
  • Gaited dressage is while riding on the trail
  • Gaited dressage is while sorting cows or negotiating a trail obstacle
  • Gaited dressage is riding a test at a show

Dressage is a versatile language

gaited horse sorting cows
Cow sorting
Gaited horse jumping
Gymnastic jumping
Trail riding on gaited horse
Trail Riding with a Gaited Horse
2021 naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse flat walk on a long rein in balance and self carriage
Bareback riding
Endurance riding with a gaited horse
Endurance riding
encountering the moose at the gaited trail trial
Trail trial
IJA Western Training 2 medium walk
Showing Western Dressage with a Gaited Horse
Course of Rails at Rocking R
Showing stadium jumping over rails
Gaited Dressage: Training Level
Schooling dressage show

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Effective Use and Timing of Aids

Bit Acceptance vs Bit Avoidance for the Naturally Gaited Horse

Bit Acceptance vs Bit Avoidance
Pictured is Lady, a 20-something grade gaited horse in a shoulder in position on a circle while working in hand.

Does your gaited horse rush off into a pace or hard trot or dip its nose behind the vertical? Teach your horse bit acceptance and discover relaxation and smoother gaits.

Here’s my story.

Bit Acceptance vs Bit Avoidance for the Naturally Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

There are many ways to ride a naturally gaited horse. Some ride with a bit or bitless bridle on a loose rein. Others ride in a curb or snaffle bit two-handed with contact. Some ride with low, fixed hands and others follow the natural head and neck motion of the naturally gaited horse.

If you ask me, I have tried all of the above in my quest to learn how to ride my head nodding naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horses and fox-trotting mare. Then I discovered my role in the cause and effect on quality smooth gait.

from hard trot to relaxed fox trot
From hard trot to relaxed fox trot through teaching relaxation and bit acceptance.

What is the difference between bit acceptance and bit avoidance?

I’ve noticed when naturally gaited horses are relaxed in their minds and bodies they offer smoother gaits. Bit acceptance for naturally gaited horses leads to relaxation not just in the mouth. When the mouth, (lower jaw, tongue, and poll) are relaxed and pain free, the body relaxes and that leads to smoother gaits.

Bit avoidance creates tension and resistance―the absence of relaxation. If the naturally gaited horse’s mouth feels pain or is resistant, the lower jaw and poll tense and the horse becomes braced in its mind and body―especially its back. A tense back leads to more pacing, hard trotting, and a horse that runs away from contact. 

Signs of bit avoidance in the naturally gaited horse

  • Horse is difficult to bridle
  • Horse throws its head upward or side to side to escape the bit contact
  • Horse draws its head behind the bit to escape the bit contact
  • Horse gaps its mouth to escape the bit contact
  • Horse roots and snaps the reins out of the rider’s hands
  • Horse lifts its tongue over the bit to escape pain
  • Horse is tense in the jaw
  • Horse grinds its teeth
  • Horse gets tense and quick when contact is made with the bit
  • Horse is tense and rushes into pace or hard trot

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Walk

A naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse ridden in a mild snaffle bit. The horse is accepting and following a light contact and the rider is following the natural head and neck motion. The horse is relaxed and offering an even, four beat smooth flat walk with head nod.

What causes bit avoidance?

  • Tight nosebands
  • Harsh bits
  • Ill-fitting bits
  • Abrupt rein movements of the rider’s hands
  • Driving the horse forward into closed hands
  • Riding with low fixed hands
  • Pulling back on the reins
  • Sharp teeth that need to be floated
  • Riding with head setting and head restraining devices

Signs of bit acceptance in the naturally gaited horse

  • Horse is easy to bridle
  • Horse accepts and follows a light contact with a snaffle bit
  • Horse reaches and follows the bit when the rider offers longer reins
  • Horse easily repositions its head and neck when the rider regathers the reins
  • Horse is relaxed in the mouth and lower jaw, tastes the bit and swallows
  • Horse is flexible side to side and can be ridden on the bit without getting behind the vertical
  • Horse is relaxed and offers smoother gaits

Rider’s hand position and its effect on the naturally gaited horse

Low fixed hands

Did you know the position of your hands make a difference in how a bit acts in the horse’s mouth? Many riders of gaited horses are taught to hold their hands low and fixed at their sides. Yet, low, fixed hands position the bit to press on the horse’s sensitive tongue. This can lead to bit avoidance.

Higher hand position and why

Dressage is another way to ride a naturally gaited horse. Dressage teaches a rider how to communicate with the horse through rein, leg, seat, and weight aids.

2021 naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse flat walk bareback with contact
A naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse ridden in a mild snaffle bit. Higher following hands make contact with the less sensitive corners of the horse’s lips instead of on the sensitive tongue and bars.

Each hand holds a rein, and together they provide a light, steady, even contact with a snaffle bit. This is an important element of communication with the horse’s mouth and great care is needed to build trust with the horse. The mouth is sensitive. Hands positioned higher make contact with the less sensitive corners of the horse’s lips instead of pressing on the sensitive tongue and bars.

The rider teaches the horse how to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact, beginning in hand, and then in the saddle.

Following the natural head and neck motion

The horse learns to follow the snaffle and the rider learns to follow the horse’s natural head and neck motion. Why? So, the horse remains comfortable. This following motion helps the horse trust the rider’s hands and continue to accept the contact. If the horse begins to feel tension or pain, then the horse develops self-protection and bit resistance. Is it easy to learn all this, no. Is it worth it, yes! My horses are happier. They want to be ridden. We enjoy our time together. And best of all their gaits are smooth! No more pace and hard trot!

My story: Insights from a non-gaited dressage rider for the smooth gaited horse

In 1988, I was drawn to the horse-rider connection through dressage and began taking lessons with my non-gaited horses. My instructor taught me to follow my horse’s head and neck motion at a walk and canter. At a trot, the horse’s head and neck remain stationary, so my arms remained stationary. However, I learned how to post the trot with my body while keeping my hands in one place. This wasn’t easy. If my hands moved with the motion of my body, it would bump my horse in the mouth with each rise and fall. This would have led to bit avoidance.

Many school horses develop bit avoidance since they introduce beginner riders who haven’t learned how to keep their hands quiet. These school horses become hard mouthed and bit resistant as a result. Hard-mouthed horses become this way as a means of self-preservation.

In 2007, I became a rider of naturally gaited horses, I am blessed with a smooth ride and no need to post. However, naturally gaited horse breeds, such as Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, and Missouri Fox Trotters have a natural head and neck motion at a walk, canter, flat walk, running walk, and fox trot.

Dressage taught me to follow the natural head and neck motion of the horse. With a naturally gaited horse, there are more gaits with a head and neck motion to follow with a light contact. Is it easy? No. Yet it has been a journey worth pursuing.

For me, following the natural head and neck motion of flat walk, running walk, and fox trot has been the hardest part in training naturally gaited horses using dressage. Why? Because I had to become aware of the cause and effect I had on my horses and then change my riding habits to benefit my horses.

How I became aware of bit acceptance and bit avoidance

As a German dressage rider, French dressage challenged my paradigm. Most profoundly, is in a DVD called Classical versus Classique which contrasts and demonstrates French dressage and German dressage theologies using the same horses and students.

Before watching this DVD, dressage was a method to produce results with my horses. After watching this DVD, dressage became a partnership of relaxation and balance with my horses that actually produced greater results as a benefit. My dressage paradigm changed.

I became a DVD, book and cyber student of French dressage masters and began adopting work in hand exercises with my naturally gaited horses. This study helped me become aware of my cause and effect to my horses. Instead of seeing bit resistance as my horse’s problem, I began to notice what I was doing to encourage resistance. I began to listen to what my horse was trying to say. Then offers ways to bring my horse back to relaxation and balance.

Instead of correcting the bit avoidance, I began teaching bit acceptance, beginning with working in hand.

Work in hand
Working in hand with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana. This photo shows flexion to the side which stretches the outside neck muscles while the horse is in balance over all four legs.

What working in hand teaches the naturally gaited horse

  • The horse learns to accept a light contact with a snaffle bit
  • The horse learns to follow the bit
  • The horse learns balance, how to carry its own head and neck and not lean on the bit
  • The horse learns to relax the mouth and lower jaw, and flex to each side by stretching the neck muscles

I have been learning to communicate with the horse through equal steady contact with both sides of the snaffle bit through these exercises. Together they have been developing a partnership of communication through the light snaffle bit connection.

Everything taught in hand translates directly to the saddle at a halt and then at a slow walk and then the tempo increases as the relaxation is maintained.

shoulder in on a circle with a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse.
Shoulder in on a circle with a 20-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse. Work the shoulder in and haunches in at a slow balanced, collected walk.

Don’t worry about depth of stride and head nod. There will be very little to no head nod in the collected walk. This exercise supples, strengthens, straightens and improves the flat walk.

Through a progression of working on the ground with my horse in hand to in the saddle at a halt to a slow walk, my horse learns to trust my hands and I learn to communicate with my horse more effectively through the reins. This produces bit acceptance.

When I increase my naturally gaited horse’s tempo to the smooth gait, I began to learn how to gently follow the head nod. What I noticed most is I needed to be relaxed in my shoulders, arms and hands to effectively follow the motion.

Bit acceptance and a light contact lead to a two-way dialogue between me and my horse. I choose a gait, movement, frame, and tempo that my horse is capable of performing, and then my horse follows that choice. Then I follow my horse’s natural head and neck motion within that choice. This is not easy. Yet it has been worth it for me and my gaited horses to maintain relaxation in the mouth and jaw which helps to keep the back relaxed for more smooth natural gaits.

Bit acceptance takes time. Riding with awareness takes time. Learning new ways to ride that benefit the horse takes time. Yet learning bit acceptance pays dividends versus unlearning bit avoidance down the road which takes even more time.

flat walk
Riding my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at a flat walk.

It is much easier to ride a naturally gaited horse on a long floppy rein than it is to learn to ride with contact and follow the natural head and neck motion with relaxed shoulders, arms and hands. Riding on a long, floppy rein can avoid many of the bit avoidance issues, however, it isn’t dressage, nor does it teach bit acceptance. Effective dressage riding with contact is essential to teach bit acceptance and a horse that is light in the bridle without getting behind the vertical.

Riding on a long flopping rein and riding on a long rein in self carriage are two different things.

There’s nothing wrong with riding on a long rein. Dressage allows for this, yet it doesn’t begin this way. Dressage teaches bit acceptance first. Then we offer moments of release to a long rein for moments of self-carriage when the horse is in balance with relaxation, rhythm, and forward motion without rushing.

Featured Makana flat walk loose rein
My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and I enjoying a moment of flat walk in self-carriage on a long floppy rein as long as she remains relaxed and with the same rhythm, forward motion without rushing, and balance.

When my horse has developed bit acceptance and self-carriage, I release the reins as long as my horse maintains the same relaxation, rhythm, and tempo as we had with contact. If my horse begins to rush off, I gather the reins and help my horse find relaxation, balance, forwardness without rushing, and rhythm.

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Dressage Exercises for the Gaited Horse

Leg Yield for the Gaited Horse

Leg yield along the fence exercise for the gaited horse
A great way to introduce the leg yield is along the fence or wall of the arena.

The leg yield is a great exercise for pacey gaited horses. The diagonal footfall of the leg yield break ups the lateral sequence of the pace for smooth gait. 

In 1988, I was riding an off-the-track thoroughbred who knew nothing about dressage. Same as me. It was my first dressage lesson. Green rider, green horse is not usually the best combination. At least I was committed to regular dressage lessons.

Anyhow, during this first dressage lesson is when I was introduced to the leg yield. It is a great introductory exercise for horses and riders. It teaches the use and timing of the rein, leg, and seat aids of the rider to direct the horse in a forward, slightly angled direction in a rather straight position. For a green horse, it is an introduction to what the rider aids mean.

Introducing the leg yield along the fence

The leg yield is not a sideways movement, but a forward angled movement. A great way to introduce the leg yield is along the fence or wall of the arena at a slow walk. In a leg yield, the horse moves away from the leg cue and steps its hind leg under its belly towards the opposite front leg. Once the horse understands moving away from the rider’s lower leg alongside the fence, the leg yield can be introduced from the quarter line to the fence.

Rider cues to leg yield

  1. Start by positioning the horse along the quarter line between your rein, seat and leg aids; encourage the horse to walk straight a few steps
  2. Then apply and release the lower leg along the girth just as the horse’s hind leg is about to step forward. The timing of the rider’s leg cue is important to urge the horse’s hind leg to step forward under the belly toward the opposite forefoot.
  3. Since horses tend to over bend the neck or lead with their shoulders as they learn the leg yield. Help the horse remain fairly straight from the bridle, shoulders and hips. Maintain contact with the outside rein to keep the head, neck and shoulder straight. If the horse gets stiff in the jaw, use your inside fingers and massage the rein to encourage a soft contact.

After the horse understands leg yield at a walk along the fence and from the quarter line to the fence with relaxation, rhythm, and balance, then introduce leg yield at a flat walk. Begin with a couple steps of leg yield at a flat walk and then proceed in a straight line. Increase the number of leg yield steps until the horse is able to travel gradually from the quarter line to the fence (or arena wall).

The next progression of the leg yield is from the quarter line to the fence and then the centerline to the fence.

Video: Leg Yield at a Walk

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse performing the leg yield at a walk.

Video: Leg Yield at a Flat Walk

After my horse understands the leg yield at a walk, then I increase the tempo to a slow smooth gait.

Video: Zig Zag Leg Yield at a Flat Walk

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse performing the leg yield at a flat walk.

Once your horse understands the leg yield in both directions, the next progression is the zig zag at a walk and then a flat walk. The horse leg yields one direction and then changes to the other direction.

More exercises for gaited horses to develop quality smooth gaits.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

How Dressage Improves Smooth Gaits

Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Walk
Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse flat walk.

Did you buy a naturally gaited horse and expect a smooth gait? You’re not alone. A lot of gaited horse owners think this, including me. There are a few lucky people who have one, but it wasn’t me. Here’s my story about how dressage improves quality smooth gaits.

After 20 years of dressage study with non-gaited horses and sitting a jarring trot, I learned about naturally gaited horses. Riding a smooth gaited horse that didn’t trot sounded good to my aging body. So, in 2007 I fell in love with a just turning three-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse filly named Makana.

seili first recognized show
Previous to beginning my gaited dressage journey, I had been a dedicated dressage student of trotting horses since 1988 and showed my Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding successfully through Second level dressage.

Smooth did not come easy

It didn’t take long to realize smooth didn’t come easy. Yes, my three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse was bred for smooth gaits, but it was up to me to help her develop each gait on cue. Just how would I do this when dressage is the only training I knew?

We’d give dressage a try and find out.

Watch: How dressage improves smooth gaits for naturally gaited horses

In this video, I show the progress of how dressage improves smooth gaits with my Tennessee Walking Horse. Over time dressage has improved her full range of motion and quality smooth gaits on cue, in and out of the arena.

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

I’ll never forget what it was like in the beginning. When I would cue my gaited horse for the flat walk, she would take a few steps of stepping pace, flat walk, fox trot and rack, and I had to figure out which smooth gait was the one I had asked for.

Using dressage as our training method, it would take us time to unravel this mish mash of gaits. Dressage became a consistent communication with my horse through my rein, leg, seat, and weight aids as I put cues to each gait.

Over time, dressage helps develop:

  • More relaxation (less mental anxiety and body tension)
  • Better balance (less pre-dominance on the forehand and more evenly on all four legs)
  • Steady rhythm
  • Even tempo and stride length
  • Forward movement without rushing
  • Stretch and strengthen my horse’s top line muscles
  • Depth of stride under the body mass
  • Connection between me and my horse through my rein, leg and seat aids
  • Greater symmetry and flexibility traveling left and right
  • Pushing power and carrying strength

A Head Nodding Horse?

In addition to forming consistent communication and putting cues to smooth gaits, I had to figure out how to ride a head nodding flat walk with a light even snaffle bit contact.

Dressage requires riding with even, steady contact using a snaffle bit. I knew I would need to earn my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse’s trust with her mouth and my hands in order for her to accept contact with the bit.

What about Bit Acceptance?

Bit acceptance is a lot easier riding a trotting horse whose head and neck remain stationary. Following a head nodding horse is not so easy at the flat walk, running walk, and fox trot. How would I maintain a steady, even rein contact while my Tennessee Walking Horse nodded her head and neck with each step? This was a big question I wrestled with as we began our training using dressage.

Where do you learn dressage for the gaited horse?

There weren’t many dressage instructors in my area and no one in my state who taught dressage for the gaited horse. I read books, watched videos, and attended clinics whenever gaited horse experts traveled to my area.

Jennie Jackson dressage for the gaited horse clinic
Attending a Dressage for the Gaited Horse Clinic with Jennie Jackson.

Combining 20 years of dressage lessons with non-gaited horses and the few gaited dressage clinics I rode at; I began to ride my gaited horse with greater awareness of cause and effect. This helped me develop a greater feel for when it felt right and when I needed to make a correction. I listened for the regularity of foot falls and watched the head and neck motion.

Then I began to capture video of our rides. I’d slow down the video frames which confirmed whether or not what I felt while riding my gaited horse and heard from the saddle was aligned with the instruction I had been receiving. Video became a helpful tool.

Showing Dressage on a Horse that Doesn’t Trot?

In 2010, I learned of a schooling dressage show not far from my home. I thought it would be a cool way to get feedback from a trained dressage professional about our dressage training. I longed for feedback about our balance, relaxation, connection, engagement, harmony, my riding position, and use of rein, leg, seat and weight aids as we navigated the test requirements at each letter.

I contacted the show manager and asked if I could ride my Tennessee walking horse at a flat walk instead of a trot. The show manager agreed. I never imaged that I’d be back showing dressage on a horse that didn’t trot.

dressage improves smooth gaits showing gaited dressage Training Level
2010: My first dressage show riding a horse that didn’t trot.


Sharing How Dressage Improves Smooth Gaits

Then in 2010, I launched NaturallyGaited.com and began to share how dressage improves smooth gait with others. I have been thrilled to meet others online around the world who are also searching for information about dressage for the gaited horse.

Dressage Improves Quality Smooth Gaits

Over the years, it is clear that dressage improves the quality of smooth gaits on cue with my Tennessee walking horse. Her medium walk, free walk, flat walk, running walk, collected walk, and canter are well established now.

dressage with gaited horse
Showing dressage with a horse that doesn’t trot.
Learn more: Tips on Riding a Gaited Dressage Test

Dressage is an On-the-Go Versatile Language

My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and I have met many people since we began this gaited dressage journey. These fun-loving people have broadened our versatility and dressage has been the consistent language that travels with us wherever we go and whatever we do together. Whether we are moving cows in team penning events and cow sorting leagues: enjoying the beauty of our State Parks by horseback; endurance rides; orientation events; trail challenges; riding in the snow; stadium jumping; or bareback riding, the same rein, leg, seat and weight aids are used to communicate with my naturally gaited horse to bring about relaxation, balance, rhythm, forward movement without rushing, connection, symmetry, engagement, and a partnership of trust and harmony.

My naturally gaited horse enjoys moving cows more than anything!
Learn more: Gaited Horses and Cows
Riding endurance with a gaited horse.
Learn more: Sisu on the Border Endurance Ride
I began gymnastic jumping with my naturally gaited horse, a Tennessee walking horse, to improve her canter. It was just the ticket and lots of fun, too!
Learn more: Starting a Gaited Horse over Jumps
Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse flat walk riding bareback and on a loose rein.
Learn more: Gaited Horse Bareback Riding
Trail riding on gaited horse
Enjoying the autumn color on a smooth gaited horse.
Tennessee walking horse flat walk in snow
Riding a smooth gaited horse in the snow is my favorite winter sport!

Dressage has been the common language through the versatility of experiences we are enjoying together!

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

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