If dressage improves the quality of natural gaits for non-gaited horses, can dressage improve quality smooth gaits for naturally gaited horses?

I was on a mission to find out.

Dressage and a Horse that Didn’t Trot

By Jennifer Klitzke

Twenty years of riding the sitting trot took a toll. I set out to find a smooth horse that would be easier on my aging body. In 2007, I fell in love with a three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse filly named Makana.

When I began our training, I discovered that smooth didn’t come easy.

Yes, the smooth gaits are inherent within my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, but it was up to me to develop them. As a dressage rider of non-gaited horses that trot, how would I approach her training? Would dressage be as simple as replacing trot for the natural smooth gaits?

More than a simple gait replacement

I’ll never forget what it was like in the beginning of Makana’s training. When I cued Makana for the flat walk, she took a few steps of pace, stepping pace, flat walk, fox trot, and rack. Then I had to figure out which gait was the one I had asked for. Adding to the smooth gaits is the natural head and neck nod.

Dressage requires riding the horse with a snaffle bit and a light even, contact with both reins. While sitting a smooth horse is easier than sitting a bouncy trot, I discovered it was easier to teach a non-gaited horse acceptance of the bit. Why? The head and neck of a non-gaited horse remains stationary at the trot. My Tennessee Walking Horse has a natural head and neck nod at the flat walk, running walk, and fox trot.

How do I maintain rein contact while my horse’s head and neck nod with each step? How do I teach her acceptance of the bit?

I wrestled with these questions as we began our dressage journey. While I taught her bit acceptance, I needed to follow her natural head and neck motion. This means I needed to relax my shoulders, arms and hands to earn her trust with the contact.

Developing quality smooth gaits with dressage

I knew the principles of the dressage training pyramid would teach my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse rhythm, relaxation, connection, engagement, straightness, and collection. Over time these qualities would develop her full range of motion—laterally and longitudinally. This would improve the quality of her natural smooth gaits.

Over time, Makana’s flat walk and running walk became relaxed and forward. Her head and neck nod was in timing of her hind leg steps. She developed rhythm and tempo with a more even stride length. Her steps were more engaged under her body. It was up to me to learn how to gently follow her natural head nod in a walk, flat walk, running walk, and canter. 

I began to ride with greater awareness of cause and effect. By developing a greater feeling of right, I knew when I needed to make a correction. Then I listened for the regularity of foot falls and watched her head and neck motion where also helpful tools.

Learning Dressage for the Gaited Horse

I took regular dressage lessons for 20 years before moving to our farm. Now there wasn’t anyone in my area who taught dressage―especially for the gaited horse. I read books and watched videos. Then I attended clinics whenever gaited horse experts traveled to my area. 

In 2010, I learned of a schooling dressage show not far away. Thinking it would be a good idea, 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 entered to get feedback from a trained dressage professional about our training.

The judge provided helpful feedback about rhythm, relaxation, connection, engagement, balance, harmony, my riding position, use of rein, leg, seat and weight aids, and execution of the test requirements.

I never imaged I’d be return to showing dressage after 16 years riding a horse that didn’t trot!

Clearly dressage has improved the quality of Makana’s smooth gaits. Her medium walk, free walk, flat walk, running walk, collected walk, and canter are well established. We have worked through Introductory, Training, First level tests and are schooling Second level.

Dressage is a versatile language

Since we began this naturally gaited dressage journey, we have met many people who have introduced us to new experiences. I never imaged we’d be moving cows at team penning events and cow sorting leagues, riding the beauty of our State Parks by horseback, competing in endurance rides, orientation events, and trail challenges, riding in the snow, and giving stadium jumping a try.

In and out of the arena, dressage is our language through the versatility of experiences I enjoy with my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse.

Video: How dressage improves smooth gaits

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