There are many ways to ride a naturally gaited horse. The video below captures moments of me and my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana, at ages 6-19. You’ll see a variety of riding positions and their effect on the quality of her smooth gait.
Video: Rider Position and Effect on Smooth Gait
When riding a naturally gaited horse, four ideas come to mind.
1) A listening posture.
A listening posture is one that notices how my horse is doing. Is my horse comfortable? Is my saddle and bridle fitting properly? If not, I dismount and make adjustments. Is my horse mentally and physically relaxed? Is my horse distracted, worried, anxious? Is my horse tense or braced? If so, I can help my horse relax mentally and physically until there is less worry. Less anxiety. Less body tension. A relaxed and comfortable horse offers smoother gaits.
I have noticed that when I am mentally and physically relaxed and present with my horse, my horse follows suit if I am the trusted leader in our relationship. Leading my horse into relaxation by being relaxed myself goes a long way.
2) A balanced riding position.
A balanced riding position is one where I am aligned (ear, elbow, hip and heal) over my horse’s center of gravity (just behind the wither). This riding posture is relaxed without tension, yet stable with core tone. Maintaining my balance helps my horse find its balance with a rider, maintaining balance more easily to offer smoother gaits with consistent rhythm, in better balance. Learn more
3) Being an easier load to carry.
Did you know that the rider’s seat is more than just the seat bones? This was an eye opener for me when I learned that the rider’s seat is knee to knee and everything in between. The rider’s seat plays a big part in being an easier load for our naturally gaited horses to carry. By repositioning our seat to seal our thighs to the saddle to hold our weight, while also following the horse’s natural belly sway with core tone, we become an easier load to carry. When our horses are more comfortable, they are able to offer natural smooth gaits. Learn more
4) Consistent communication.
I used to think that the only ones who trained horses were the professionals. Did you know that we train our horse every time we are with them? That’s why lessons are so important to me. I want to be training my horses effectively.
Effective communication begins with the rider. In order to ride our naturally gaited horses into quality smooth gaits, we need to learn how to use our hands, legs, seat, and weight aids consistently and at the proper time.
Working with my horses is a rewarding journey. Lessons are a great place to start.
Questions?
If you have thoughts, question about riding or training your naturally gaited horse, drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you. Contact
Enjoy the journey to longer strides and smoother gaits!
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A listening posture is one that notices how my horse is doing. Is my horse comfortable? Is my saddle and bridle fitting properly? If not, I dismount and make adjustments. Is my horse mentally and physically relaxed? Is my horse distracted, worried, anxious? Is my horse tense or braced? If so, I can help my horse relax mentally and physically until there is less worry. Less anxiety. Less body tension. A relaxed and comfortable horse offers smoother gaits.
I have noticed that when I am mentally and physically relaxed and present with my horse, my horse follows suit if I am the trusted leader in our relationship. Leading my horse into relaxation by being relaxed myself goes a long way.
A balanced riding position is one where I am aligned (ear, elbow, hip and heal) over my horse’s center of gravity (just behind the wither). This riding posture is relaxed without tension, yet stable with core tone. Maintaining my balance helps my horse find its balance with a rider, maintaining balance more easily to offer smoother gaits with consistent rhythm, in better balance. Learn more
Did you know that the rider’s seat is more than just the seat bones? This was an eye opener for me when I learned that the rider’s seat is knee to knee and everything in between. The rider’s seat plays a big part in being an easier load for our naturally gaited horses to carry. By repositioning our seat to seal our thighs to the saddle to hold our weight, while also following the horse’s natural belly sway with core tone, we become an easier load to carry. When our horses are more comfortable, they are able to offer natural smooth gaits. Learn more
I used to think that the only ones who trained horses were the professionals. Did you know that we train our horse every time we are with them? That’s why lessons are so important to me. I want to be training my horses effectively.
Effective communication begins with the rider. In order to ride our naturally gaited horses into quality smooth gaits, we need to learn how to use our hands, legs, seat, and weight aids consistently and at the proper time.
Working with my horses is a rewarding journey. Lessons are a great place to start.
