All horses have natural gaits. So, what is the difference between a horse with natural gaits and a naturally gaited horse?
What is a Naturally Gaited Horse?
By Jennifer Klitzke
As a dressage rider, I help my horses develop their full range of motion and symmetry for quality gaits in a state of relaxation and balance for long-term soundness. My first 20 years as a dressage rider, I rode horses who naturally produced gaits as walk, trot, and canter. I rode and trained Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Mustangs. After riding the sitting trot for 20 years, I learned about naturally gaited horses that don’t trot at all!
Difference between horses with natural gaits and naturally gaited horses
All horses have natural gaits. Gaits they are born with. Not all horses are born with naturally S-M-O-O-T-H gaits as flat walk, fox trot, tolt, saddle rack, and other ambling variations. Naturally smooth gaits are what define a naturally gaited horse over a horse with natural gaits.
There are many breeds of smooth naturally gaited horses: Tennessee Walking Horses, Missouri Foxtrotters, Paso Finos, Peruvian Pasos, Icelandics, Kentucky Mountain Horses, Rocky Mountain Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, Standardbreds, and more.
The smooth gaits of the naturally gaited horse are what drew me to my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana. Her friendly, meet-me-at-the-fence, in-your-pocket personality surprised me. I learned this is common with many naturally gaited horse breeds.
Training develops the horse’s smooth gaits
All horses need to be trained in order to develop quality gaits and full range of motion. The same is true for naturally gaited horses. While the smooth gaits are inherent with the naturally gaited horse, the smooth gaits need to be developed through consistent training.
There are many ways to train a naturally gaited horse to develop the smooth gaits. My method of training is dressage. Through a balanced riding position and effective use and timing of rein, leg, seat, and weight aids, the rider communicates with the naturally gaited horse.
Dressage teaches the rider how to lead the naturally gaited horse into:
- Relaxation of mind and body
- Balance
- Rhythm
- Forward movement without rushing
- Connection
- Symmetry
- Collection
In dressage a snaffle bit is used. There are no artificial gadgets, gait enhancements, or weighted shoes with pads used. The rider teaches the horse how to accept a light contact with a snaffle bit.
Video: How Dressage Improves Smooth Gaits for the Tennessee Walking Horse
Naturally gaited horses are more than smooth
People who acquire a naturally gaited horse often focus on developing the smooth gaits exclusively. I know I was at first until I discovered my naturally gaited horse is born with more gears than horses with natural gaits. Through consistent dressage training my naturally gaited horse has been trained to perform the full spectrum and scope of gaits on cue.
My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Makana has always been ridden barefoot (without shoes). Through developing Makana’s full range of motion and quality gaits on cue, she produces collected through extended natural gaits: counted walk, collected walk, free walk, working walk, medium walk, extended walk, flat foot walk, flat walk, running walk, piaffe, trot, fox trot, saddle rack, flying pace, and canter.
Video: A Collection of Walks with a Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse
Naturally gaited horses are versatile
Naturally gaited horses make great trail horses. Their smooth comfortable gaits allow the rider to cover more terrain in a shorter amount of time and their bodies won’t pay for it later.
Even more, through consistent training, naturally gaited horses are versatile. Dressage training has made it possible for my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse to compete in dressage, jumping, endurance, cow sorting, trail obstacles, and competitive trail, more.
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