When the naturally gaited horse is in flat walk, does the head nod up-down or down-up? Does it matter?
Here’s my story and a video to go with it.
Flat Walk: Does the Naturally Gaited Horse Head Nod Up-Down or Nod Down-Up?
By Jennifer Klitzke
As I have explored relaxation, rhythm and balance with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, I have wondered, does the head nod up-down down-up? Is there a difference?
In the video below, I share my thoughts on this question with examples of both.
For me, the important distinction between head nod up-down or head nod down-up is whether my horse’s body mass is in balance over all four legs and lifting her chest and wither.
Balanced Flat Walk & Head Nod Up-Down
When my horse is performing a balanced flat walk, the head nod is up-down. It feels like my horse is stepping from behind and under my seat and lifting up through the wither.
The photo above shows a head up-down in a balanced flat walk. The naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse is stepping under the rider’s seat with the hind leg and far more under the body mass than trailing behind and the horse is lifting the chest and wither.
Unbalanced Flat Walk with Head Nod Down-Up
If my horse is collapsing her chest and traveling with more weight on the forehand, she performs a head nod down-up. It feel like my horse is pulling me downhill or feeling heavy in my hands.
Above shows the same naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse out of balance in the head nod down-up. The hind legs are disengaged and not stepping under the body mass or under the rider and the chest is collapsed and the horse in on the forehand.
Demi-Arret to Regain Balance
I ride with a snaffle bit and whenever my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse leans on the bit, I apply a demi-arret. I raise my hands higher with a squeeze of my hands as soon as the nod comes up and quickly release. The timing of the demi-arret is important so that it is in rhythm with the nod and the hind leg steps. As soon as my horse lightens and I feel the balance return, I cease the demi-arret.
Sometimes the demi-arret doesn’t seem to be helping my horse lighten if my horse is traveling at a faster tempo out of balance. In this case, I will slow the tempo down to a walk or halt and rebalance my horse. Then from a balanced halt or slow walk, I will transition to a faster tempo like a flat walk or canter.
Through relaxation, balance, connection, forward rhythm without rushing, connection and symmetry, dressage develops full range of motion for quality smooth gaits.
How Dressage Improves Quality Smooth Gaits
By Jennifer Klitzke
My Tennessee walking horse, Makana as a two year old.
As an avid dressage rider of the trotting horse variety since 1988, I had competed with my hard-to-sit Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding successfully through Second level dressage.
Then in 2007, I learned about smooth gaited horses that don’t trot, and I began searching for a horse that would be easier on my aging body. That’s when I fell in love with my first naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana. She was just turning three years old. Dressage was the only riding method I knew, so that’s how she was trained.
Trot or smooth gait, all horses need training
Beginning our training, I thought a Tennessee walking horse was born to be smooth! Well, smooth gaits like the flat walk and running walk are natural and inherent, BUT it was up to me to develop them.
I was familiar with walk, trot, and canter. My naturally gaited TWH had these gaits, too—plus a myriad of new gaits. Some were smooth, some not so smooth. I needed to identify the smooth gaits as the flat walk, running walk, fox trot, and saddle rack and began to develop each gait on cue. Then I helped my horse maintain more and more consecutive steps of each smooth gait without breaking. Over time we would work on refining the quality of each natural smooth gait.
My naturally gaited Walking horse also came with a few gaits that were not so smooth such as the pace, stepping pace, and lateral canter. These were gaits I wanted to discourage.
Communication tools
A dressage rider communicates with the horse through consistent use and timing of rein, leg, seat and weight aids. The reins connect to a mild snaffle bit, and the rider teaches the horse how to accept and follow the snaffle bit contact. The rider learns to follow the natural head and neck motion of the horse.
It takes an educated rider to train a horse. Regular lessons are a great place to start. I have been taking lessons for over 30 years. Dressage is never mastered. It is great for people who are life-long learners. Learn More: Is Dressage Riding the Right Choice for You?
Smooth, natural gaits such as the flat walk, running walk, fox trot and saddle rack are fun to ride! Shown above is a naturally gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse performing an evenly timed, four beat flat walk with a head nod.
Connection and the head nodding horse
My biggest question, “How do you ride a head nodding horse using dressage?”
Dressage taught me to follow the natural head and neck motion of the horse’s walk with relaxed arms to maintain a light snaffle bit contact. Some naturally gaited horses, such as my Tennessee Walking Horse nods her head and neck at the walk, flat walk, running walk, and fox trot. Do I follow the natural head and neck motion in these gaits to maintain a light snaffle bit contact? yes.
It was a lot easier to maintain a light contact riding at a trot since the horse’s head and neck remained stationary. Now I would need to learn a following contact with my horse’s head and neck nod. This would prove important since maintaining low fixed hands leads to tension in the mouth, lower jaw and back which encourages pace and hard trot.
Following the natural motion of the head nod with relaxed shoulders, arms and hands would be my best way to earn trust and relaxation with my horse. This was new territory as we began our gaited dressage journey.
A good dressage program teaches the naturally gaited horse:
Relaxation of mind and body
Balance
Forward rhythm and tempo without rushing
Connection
Symmetry
Collection
Over time, these attributes develop the full range of motion of collected through extended smooth gaits and improve the quality of natural smooth gaits for long term soundness.
How dressage improves quality smooth gaits:
Dressage teaches a rider a balanced position and effective use and timing of rein, leg, seat and weight aids that lead a horse into relaxation of mind and body, balance, forwardness without rushing, rhythm, connection, straightness and collection over time
By relaxing the horse’s mind, the horse is in a more trainable state of mind
By relaxing the horse’s mouth, jaw and back, pace and hard trot can be replaced with a smooth natural four beat gait
With lateral exercises, the naturally gaited horse can develop symmetry to be more ambidextrous and supple
A good dressage program improves confidence in the rider which leads the horse into more trust in the rider as the leader
Most of all, naturally gaited horses flourish when ridden using a good dressage program that builds partnership, trust, and respect as compared with domination training methods or the use of severe bits, heavy shoes, chains, pads, artificial enhancements, and mechanical devices
A good dressage program develops your horse’s best quality, smooth, natural gaits on cue.
Over the years, it is clear that dressage has improved the smooth, four-beat quality and range of movement in my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse. Her collected walk, medium walk, free walk, extended walk, flat walk, running walk, fox trot, saddle rack, and canter are well established now—all smooth and on cue. We are even dabbling with counted walk and steps of piaffe!
Watch: How dressage improves smooth gaits
Enjoy the journey! If you are on this gaited dressage journey, I’d love to hear from you. Contact us»
While both the flat foot walk and the flat walk have a head and neck nod and are even four beat gaits, how can you tell them apart?
Flat Foot Walk and Flat Walk: How can You Tell the Difference?
By Jennifer Klitzke
How can you tell the difference between a Tennessee walking horse flat foot walk and a flat walk? While the horse has a natural head and neck nod and natural four beat gait in both the flat foot walk and the flat walk, how can you tell the difference?
The main difference between the flat foot walk and the flat walk is that the flat foot walk still has a lot of motion in the horse’s back that the rider needs to follow. In the flat walk, the horse’s back is still and there isn’t motion to follow so the rider’s pelvis doesn’t move.
Not only that, both the flat foot walk and the flat walk can be ridden in many variations: free walk, working walk, medium walk, collected walk, extended walk.
Watch this video below:
Flat Foot Walk vs Flat Walk, How to Tell the Difference?
The secret is in watching the rider’s pelvis. If the pelvis is moving to follow each step, it is a flat foot walk. If the rider is still without bracing, it is a flat walk.
If you are the rider, it is a little trickier to discern. Begin to notice if in motion, the horse’s back is still, the gait is smooth as glass, it sounds like a four-beat gait with a head and neck nod with each hind leg step. Then it is likely a flat walk or running walk.
If the horse’s back has a lot of motion to follow with your pelvis, while the horse’s head and neck continue to nod with each step, it is likely a flat foot walk.
Many gaited riders choose to ride still or to ride with a long floppy rein. So, why follow the natural head and neck motion of the gaited horse with relaxed arms, shoulders, hands and fingers? If dressage is your riding style, here’s something to consider.
Following the Head and Neck of the Gaited Horse with Relaxed Arms & Rubber Band Fingers
By Jennifer Klitzke
When I returned from my Seattle vacation last Fall, I was excited to try out all I learned from Nichole Walters, a student of Classical French Dressage Master Philippe Karl. I was especially curious about following the natural head and neck motion of my naturally gaited horse with relaxed shoulders, arms and hands.
Granted, I rode non gaited horses at Nichole’s farm. Yet a trotting horse walk expresses an even four-beat gait. The head and neck nods naturally with each step. This is where Nicole encouraged me to relax my shoulders, back, and arms so that I would follow the horse’s motion.
It got me thinking. This seemed like a direct take-a-way for how I ride my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and fox trotting horse. It was critical that I learn to follow the natural head and neck motion while maintaining a light, even contact.
After publishing the video: Following the Motion of the Head Shaking Horse, I received a great tip from someone on the Naturally Gaited Facebook page. Along with following the natural head and neck motion with relaxed arms, a women encouraged to open and close my fingers with each head nod. This is what I call “rubber band fingers.”
I began giving this idea a try with both my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and my fox trotting mare.
Along with following the natural head and neck motion with relaxed arms and rubber band fingers are leading my naturally gaited horse into:
Relaxation: relaxed in the mind and relaxed in the jaw and back which will help break up pace.
Balance: so my naturally gaited horse will carry equal weight on all four legs and not be heavier on the forehand or leaning on the bit.
Rhythm: that my naturally gaited horses tempo is even, steady, forward, and not rushing.
Engagement: that of the hind leg steps deeper under the body more than trailing behind the tail.
Straightness: so that the shoulders are carrying equal weight and the horse isn’t leaning on the inside shoulder or bulging the outside shoulder.
I am seeing great results from combining these elements. My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse’s head nod is more defined and regular in timing with the hind leg steps. Her rhythm is more even, and she seems more forward and engaged from behind.
Video: Following the Motion of the Head & Neck
I hope you find this video helpful. Please let me know your thoughts by completing the contact form.
The naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse has many walks. Some are smoother than others. How can you tell the difference between the medium walk and the flat walk? Both walks are natural even four beat gaits with a head nod. How can you improve the quality of tempo, rhythm and stride length?
Here are my thoughts…
How the medium walk and flat walk feel from the saddle
For me, telling the difference between the medium walk and flat-footed walk versus the flat walk and running walk is in how the gaits feel from the saddle. The medium walk and flat-footed walk have a lot of motion to follow with my lower back and the alternating movement of my hip joints with the belly sway of the horse. While riding the flat walk or running walk there is very little motion to follow. The flat walk and running walk are smooth as glass to ride and enjoy!
While watching a rider on a Tennessee Walking Horse, notice the rider’s pelvis. If there is a lot of motion, the rider may be riding the medium walk or the flat-footed walk. If the rider is still and the horse’s head nods with each hind leg step, the rider is likely riding the flat walk or running walk.
Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse flat-footed walk looks like a flat walk, right?
Many TWH riders don’t differentiate between the flat-footed walk and flat walk, but I do. I have noticed a Tennessee Walking Horse can appear to be in a flat walk with wonderful stride length, even four beat foot falls, and a head and neck nod in timing with the hind leg steps. Only the gait is hard on my back because there is a lot of motion to follow with the lower back.
The flat walk and running walk have very little motion to follow so it is smooth and comfortable to ride. I don’t get a sore back from the flat walk or running walk, but I do when I ride the medium walk or flat-footed walk. While these gaits appear to look the same, they don’t feel the same to the rider. Therefore, this is why I make a distinction between the medium walk and flat-footed walk versus the flat walk and running walk.
Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse flat walk looks like a flat-footed walk, right?
What is over stride and how to increase it
The medium walk, flat-footed walk, flat walk, and running walk have over stride. This means the hind leg hoof print steps over the forefoot hoof print after it leaves the ground. For the Tennessee Walking Horse, over stride ranges and if you show your horse, more over stride is prized. As a rider, I can encourage my Tennessee Walking Horse to increase this over stride by following the horse’s motion.
While riding the medium walk or flat-footed walk, I become aware of the rise and fall of the horse’s belly sway with each step. The belly sway is much more noticeable at the medium walk and flat-footed walk than it is at the flat walk or running walk. When the belly sways down, that’s when the hind leg is stepping under the body. If I want to encourage a deeper step under the body to increase length of stride, I apply and release my calf aid at the girth the moment the belly is about to sway down. I don’t apply both calves at the same time since this encourages the horse to go faster, and it shorten the stride length.
If there is no response from the horse, I will apply and release the calf and make a “cluck” sound at the same time. If I still don’t get a response, I will apply and release the calf, make a “cluck” sound, and a tap with the dressage whip on the same side. The goal is to achieve a response with the lightest aid and then help the horse maintain long and even strides with both hind leg steps. I praise my horse for every effort with a “good girl” or “good boy” and a pat.
I think there is great value in developing a solid, even four-beat medium walk or flat-footed walk with over stride before moving to the flat walk. This helps develop length of stride, relaxation, rhythm, and tempo.
In my early years of training my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana, I made the mistake of rushing her into the flat walk. This produced a flat walk with a short stride and rushed tempo. The flat walk was smooth, but not the quality gait she is capable of. Thanks to my gaited dressage mentor, Jennie Jackson who coached us.
Jennie said, “Don’t let your Tennessee Walking Horse flat walk in a tight skirt!”
Lessons with Jennie helped us develop a solid medium walk leading to a bigger striding and smooth as butter flat walk one quality step at a time.
Taking lessons from Jennie Jackson really helped improve the quality of our gaits using dressage.
Rider balance and its effect on the horse
Whether I am riding the medium walk, flat-footed walk, flat walk or running walk, a balanced horse will perform their best gaits. If I want my horse to be in balance, I need to be in balance.
One way that helps me maintain my balance is riding with shorter reins. Short reins don’t mean pulling back on the contact or a firm contact. Riding with short reins means maintaining a light feeling of the horse’s mouth with both reins while keeping my elbows at my sides. This helps me stay in a balanced ear, shoulder, elbows, hip and heel position over my horse’s center of gravity. If my elbows creep forward, soon my upper body begins to lean forward, and then I am out of balance. This causes my horse to fall on the forehand, onto the shoulders, and out of balance.
Maintaining my balance helps my horse stay in balance for quality gaits.
I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.
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