| QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
| If you have a question about horses (breeding, training, riding, or other) please feel free to e-mail Leslie and she will gladly post an answer. Please remember that not all horse professionals share the same philosophies and techniques. Not all techniques work for every horse or handler. People and horses are all their own unique individuals and what works well for one might not always work for others. If you keep this in mind, you will go far. |
I have a few questions regarding training. I have a twh, I believe he is 5 or 6. My dad
bought him for me a few years ago and I have just used him for trail ridding. I have
recently gained an interest in having him properly trained to gait. I am really clueless
on the different gaits that are possible. So I want to send him to be trained, but I am
finding it difficult to find gaited trainers near where we live (Clinton, Mo). So I guess my
questions would be: -Tiffany Holt
1) Do you recommend get him trained for his gaits if I'm not going to show him?
You do not have to get him trained if he is gaiting naturally on his own. He might not or might be
doing his gaits correctly but if you are only trail riding him and what ever gait he is doing is
comfortable to you, then just let him do that. Although, if you decide to ever sell him, he is worth
more money if he is gaiting correctly.
2) Do you think its necessary to get him professionally trained or do you think that
trying to training him myself would work (like if I watch videos)?
Everyone learns differently, but learning by doing is probably the most effective. Watching
videos and doing it yourself is a good way to learn. I don't mind offering advice on which
information is the best either. Some trainers and methods are better than others, you just need
to know what to avoid.
3) What type of saddle do you suggest? ( I have been using a narrow western saddle,
and I like the western style best)
A Western saddle is great for trail riding and most any thing else also as long as the saddle fits
your horse well and you. If your horse has high withers and narrow shoulders then your saddle
sounds like it should work, but if your horse has little or no withers and broad shoulders, then
your narrow western saddle will not work. Also, with Western saddles you have high back and
low backs, and beware of horns. Remember that it is safer to be able to come out of a saddle
easily than to be trapped in it and a narrow tall horn will puncture and do more bodily damage to
you than a flatter, shorter one. Make sure your stirrups fit your feet...not too wide and not too
narrow. Always check your saddle straps for cracks and wear and tear.
4) Do you board the horse when you train it?
I have a 12 year old Tennesse Walker Mare, out of Postmarks Delight. She has a 4
month old filly, and has only been ridden sporadically since she was about 4. I think
she needs a little bit of 'refreshing'. I dont think she needs a full month's worth of
training. I would just like to use her for trail rides, that's all. What would you
recommend? -Ann M. Schreiber
Ann,
If your mare has not been ridden consistently for a long time, she probably is not in shape to
start taking out on long trail rides. If she is not spooking and still seems to be bridle wise, then I
would just start riding her 15 minutes or so at least every other day, gradually increasing the time
each day by 5 minutes or so in order to get her into shape. If she has had a foal this year, I am
sure she needs a lot of conditioning.
A lot depends upon what your riding level or experience is and if the mare has retained things
that she learned several years ago. If the mare is smart, she will pick back up on things
somewhat quickly as horses have good memories for the most part.
Don't worry about her gaits at first, because they won't be right. She has to first be in shape and
good condition in order to gait correctly. When you get her in shape or send her to someone
that can, then get back to me and I can't help you further with gaits.
Thanks for you interest and your question. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Leslie
Will teaching my gaited horse to canter hurt its other gaits? -Sandie Andrews
Sandie,
Everyone asks the same question you did about cantering, it is an incorrect myth. People here
in Missouri especially for years thought gaited horses shouldn't canter, and then in 1993 I was
the first person in Missouri to start doing versatility. I started showing in the stock horse classes
because they never had canter or loping classes for gaited horses, then we advanced to barrel
racing and pole bending, then on to reining. We showed in TN a lot after that and won several
times at the National Trainers Show and the Internationals. The cantering never affected our
horses’ gaits. People around here are still amazed to see our horses go in gaited classes and
win, then go in the Open English & Western classes with other breeds and win.
The only way you mess up a horse's gaits by cantering is when you don't teach them definite
cues or signals for the canter along with other gaits. Teaching horses cues for gaits or anything
you ask of them is very important so that they don’t get confused. Horses are simple creatures
with a simple mind set. You teach them one thing at a time, make sure they understand what you
are asking, then repeat it until they are consistent. After they are consistent, then move on to
the next task you wish to teach them. BE SURE to always use the same cues whether it is a
pressure signal, word, or other cue. Your cues should be easy for the horse to differentiate
between your cues. The horse should also be in good physical condition so that it can physically
perform the task that you ask of it. It is the TRAINER that makes the difference, not whether the
horse is gaited or not.
My Tennessee Walking horses have benefited greatly from cantering. My horses' strides are
much longer when we start cantering because this aids in overall body collection, strengthens
different muscles, and also aids in flexibility. This comes from my exercise physiology degree.
Psychologically, my horses are more pay attention and get bored less, because they have more
variety in their routine. You can pass this information on to any others who think the canter hurts
their gaits if you like.
bought him for me a few years ago and I have just used him for trail ridding. I have
recently gained an interest in having him properly trained to gait. I am really clueless
on the different gaits that are possible. So I want to send him to be trained, but I am
finding it difficult to find gaited trainers near where we live (Clinton, Mo). So I guess my
questions would be: -Tiffany Holt
1) Do you recommend get him trained for his gaits if I'm not going to show him?
You do not have to get him trained if he is gaiting naturally on his own. He might not or might be
doing his gaits correctly but if you are only trail riding him and what ever gait he is doing is
comfortable to you, then just let him do that. Although, if you decide to ever sell him, he is worth
more money if he is gaiting correctly.
2) Do you think its necessary to get him professionally trained or do you think that
trying to training him myself would work (like if I watch videos)?
Everyone learns differently, but learning by doing is probably the most effective. Watching
videos and doing it yourself is a good way to learn. I don't mind offering advice on which
information is the best either. Some trainers and methods are better than others, you just need
to know what to avoid.
3) What type of saddle do you suggest? ( I have been using a narrow western saddle,
and I like the western style best)
A Western saddle is great for trail riding and most any thing else also as long as the saddle fits
your horse well and you. If your horse has high withers and narrow shoulders then your saddle
sounds like it should work, but if your horse has little or no withers and broad shoulders, then
your narrow western saddle will not work. Also, with Western saddles you have high back and
low backs, and beware of horns. Remember that it is safer to be able to come out of a saddle
easily than to be trapped in it and a narrow tall horn will puncture and do more bodily damage to
you than a flatter, shorter one. Make sure your stirrups fit your feet...not too wide and not too
narrow. Always check your saddle straps for cracks and wear and tear.
4) Do you board the horse when you train it?
I have a 12 year old Tennesse Walker Mare, out of Postmarks Delight. She has a 4
month old filly, and has only been ridden sporadically since she was about 4. I think
she needs a little bit of 'refreshing'. I dont think she needs a full month's worth of
training. I would just like to use her for trail rides, that's all. What would you
recommend? -Ann M. Schreiber
Ann,
If your mare has not been ridden consistently for a long time, she probably is not in shape to
start taking out on long trail rides. If she is not spooking and still seems to be bridle wise, then I
would just start riding her 15 minutes or so at least every other day, gradually increasing the time
each day by 5 minutes or so in order to get her into shape. If she has had a foal this year, I am
sure she needs a lot of conditioning.
A lot depends upon what your riding level or experience is and if the mare has retained things
that she learned several years ago. If the mare is smart, she will pick back up on things
somewhat quickly as horses have good memories for the most part.
Don't worry about her gaits at first, because they won't be right. She has to first be in shape and
good condition in order to gait correctly. When you get her in shape or send her to someone
that can, then get back to me and I can't help you further with gaits.
Thanks for you interest and your question. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Leslie
Will teaching my gaited horse to canter hurt its other gaits? -Sandie Andrews
Sandie,
Everyone asks the same question you did about cantering, it is an incorrect myth. People here
in Missouri especially for years thought gaited horses shouldn't canter, and then in 1993 I was
the first person in Missouri to start doing versatility. I started showing in the stock horse classes
because they never had canter or loping classes for gaited horses, then we advanced to barrel
racing and pole bending, then on to reining. We showed in TN a lot after that and won several
times at the National Trainers Show and the Internationals. The cantering never affected our
horses’ gaits. People around here are still amazed to see our horses go in gaited classes and
win, then go in the Open English & Western classes with other breeds and win.
The only way you mess up a horse's gaits by cantering is when you don't teach them definite
cues or signals for the canter along with other gaits. Teaching horses cues for gaits or anything
you ask of them is very important so that they don’t get confused. Horses are simple creatures
with a simple mind set. You teach them one thing at a time, make sure they understand what you
are asking, then repeat it until they are consistent. After they are consistent, then move on to
the next task you wish to teach them. BE SURE to always use the same cues whether it is a
pressure signal, word, or other cue. Your cues should be easy for the horse to differentiate
between your cues. The horse should also be in good physical condition so that it can physically
perform the task that you ask of it. It is the TRAINER that makes the difference, not whether the
horse is gaited or not.
My Tennessee Walking horses have benefited greatly from cantering. My horses' strides are
much longer when we start cantering because this aids in overall body collection, strengthens
different muscles, and also aids in flexibility. This comes from my exercise physiology degree.
Psychologically, my horses are more pay attention and get bored less, because they have more
variety in their routine. You can pass this information on to any others who think the canter hurts
their gaits if you like.
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