Gaited horses

[WildLittleWren]

I am going to soon be looking for a gaited horse to do trail rides and field trials with (I will be taking over the field trials for my Aunt with her shorthair pointers) when we get to Tennessee (we are completing a move early next year). Having a background in dressage and hunter, I am totally lost. I have been told I need a gaited horse to keep up with the dogs, as well as I have severe back and hip issues from being tossed too many times in my years of training, so gaited is a plus there.

I am not sure which gaited breed I should be focusing on, whether it be TWH, Rocky Mountain, Spotted Saddle Horse or? I want a smooth horse with a good thinking brain on it, not hot (I would enjoy some leisurely trail rides) but responsive enough that I can cover some ground when needed at the field trials.

Also, we are going in with a budget around $5k (and located in TN). Is it reasonable to expect that we can find something well broke that will fit my needs? I’m not firm on age (I don’t want super young…I have had enough falls for a lifetime), and I don’t mind something in it’s early to mid teens. I would prefer a shorter horse, for ease of mounting/dismounting at trials and on trails, and due to my back/hip issues. My Aunt has suggested not to get anything over 15/15.1hh, but I don’t want to go smaller than 14.1. I am 5’7", but only weigh 125lbs. I have a hard time on wider horses, due to my hips, so looking for something not too stocky, however I do need something big enough to take up my leg (I have very long legs).

What is everyone’s experiences with gaited horses, and what has been your favorite breed? What breed would you suggest I focus on looking at? I am open minded, and will probably look at several different breeds, but I have no idea what the TYPICAL temperaments these gaited breeds are known for.

[Bluey]

May not answer your questions directly, but when I was in AL and TN training horses, we also had dog trials and some had horses participating in several categories.

Seems that all kinds of horses and mules were used for those trials.
Maybe for such a specific task, is better to look at any horse that is already in use at dog trials, whichever breed or mix and then get one that fits the smooth enough for you?

Our riding center had some of those from clients that participated in the many dog trials of all kinds and a few that were not good for those that we retrained for trail and school horses.
Some TN Walkers were taller and skinnier made in front, still substantial behind, so they would fit someone looking for narrower horses.
They paced and were super smooth, but not all were that smooth.
Just like with trotting horses, some trot or pace smoother than others.

For specific tasks where many horses are suitable, not like say racing or cutting, that require special talent and training for it, is better to look at the individual horse as much as the breed it may be.
I would say that the temperament be right is important in dog trials, don’t want a bad actor disrupting the dog’s work and that some times you only find by riding there, why a proven trial horse is best.

[WildLittleWren]

Agreed. I just unfortunately don’t know how to source one. I did post an in search of ad in the area I will be looking, and mentioned I am looking for a field trial horse, experience preferred, but open to those that they think might be good for the job. I need something okay with guns, but also that will quietly go down the trail. My Aunt has contacted many of her field trial friends and has been unable to locate a suitable horse through her contacts that has already been to a field trial.

You are correct in that I need a well behaved horse, so that I can focus on the dogs. This is all very new to me, I just wasn’t sure if certain breeds were smoother than others, or were better known for good brains. I do know it depends on the individual horse as well, and plan on trying out as many as I can. I am just trying to narrow my search a bit, by focusing on those that might be best suited for the job.

I have ridden a handful of gaited horses (two Spotted Saddle horses, a couple of TWH’s, and a Rocky Mountain), of the three, I really enjoyed the spotted saddle horses’ gaits. That could be a fluke though, because I have a very small sample size that I have ridden.

[lenapesadie]

TN Walking horses are likely to be available in larger numbers than the other breeds. So that might make shopping a bit easier since there would be a larger pool of prospects. I’ve ridden a few TNW horses that had been trained just for trail riding and hunting (not showing) and they were mostly good characters. If you aren’t dead set on a fancy color, I suspect your budget will be sufficient.

[WildLittleWren]

I love my bays and chestnuts so that is not an issue. I don’t care if it’s purple if it has a good brain and can do the job!

[lenapesadie]

Does the horse need to be gun broke? That used to be a more common thing but I see less horses with that skill these days.

I lived in North Alabama for a while and walking horses were rather popular with the low key trail riding types. I’m not sure if the same is true today. Particularly near Birmingham there was a large network of riders/trainers of gaited horses.

Are you pretty good at visually identifying gaits? I ask as it wasn’t uncommon to find a spotted saddle horse that was really just a paint with stacked shoes on.

With wanting a shorter horse and not needing a fancy color, I don’t think you should have too much trouble finding what you are looking for, after Christmas. If I was looking for that type of horse, I’d try and find the local hay farmers and ask them who might deal in those kinds of horses.

[WildLittleWren]

Yes preferably it needs to be gun broke, but if it isn’t and has a good brain/not spooky in general, it’s not something I’m uncomfortable with working on with the horse. As far as gaits go, I couldn’t tell you a lame gaited horse from a sound gaited horse, which is why having a PPE is going to be even more important in this purchase. However, I can tell gaited from non-gaited on the ground, and under saddle. Now can I tell you what gait the horse is doing? No, unfortunately.

Thank you!

[lenapesadie]

As long as you can tell the difference between the trot and the running walk you’re fine. As you say, let the vets determine level of soundness.

Best of luck!

[eightpondfarm]

One of my horses is a Missouri Foxtrotter. He is actually my favorite horse to ride, though i do NOT ride him in that gait. I prefer a walk or canter or gallop on him. He’s about 14.2. He was a rescue through Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, so not at ALL expensive. Foxtrotters are all over Missouri. Plentiful and inexpensive. In tennessee, i think those folks are a little too horse-proud of their walkers and price them high just on general principal. I like the faces and bodies of foxtrotters better. TWH have heads like suitcases and long backs…foxtrotters have a smaller head, and are more closely coupled. So, my foxtrotter is so smart, he’s go-ey…wants to move0ut! He also likes herding…and i hardly have to tell him what to do (well, except to monitor his speed, his preference is to move the sheep much more quickly than needs be) He’s my main ride to round up sheep or move the cattle. He lives to work. AND he begs to be ridden. When i get near him with a bridle he literally shoves his head into it, even as i’m straightening out all the straps to get it ready to put on him. He is maneuverable as heck! (like i said, short body) and can wiggle his way through the most dense woods. Try looking for a foxtrotter.

[LilRanger]

I have had a spotted saddle horse and friends have TWH and fox trotters. I agree that the best one is the horse you like. Any of those breeds will do. You may also want to consider a standardbred off the track. In my experience they are pretty used to commotion and some are gaited.

While it is frowned upon in gaited circles I infinitely prefer to ride the stepping pace over a running walk.

My friend has generator horses

[walkinthewalk]

This link may be of great help to the OP, plus they have horses for sale:)

http://www.westwoodfarms.net/fieldtrials.html

FWIW, in this day and age, there is little difference between Spotted Saddle Horses and Tennessee Walkers because there has been so much infusion of Walking Horse blood into the Spotted Saddle Horses:)

Don’t discount gaited mules either but a good gaited mule for field trials will likely cost you your first born. Just being a plain bay, gaited mule that is green will cost a fortune if it’s a good gating mule:)

Don’t look for flash when it comes to field trial horses, go for the horse sense:)

[WildLittleWren]

Thank you! I think the difference between the SSH’s I rode, and the TWH’s, are that the SSH’s I rode seemed to be shorter coupled. They didn’t have as long of backs, and didn’t ride with their head quite as high? Granted take this all with a grain of salt because the majority of them were only halfway trained or not trained very well, so it’s sort of hard to gauge.

[WildLittleWren]

Thank you! Yes I will take a plain bay with the ugliest head you have ever seen if it does the job and is safe/sane! Aside from correct conformation, looks usually don’t bother me.

I saw a mule for sale on a website recently up there, and he was priced at $14k so you aren’t kidding! I’m also not familiar with mules…although I did start one many years ago for a friend. That is the extent of my knowledge of mules.

Thank you for the link! Going to check it out!

[WildLittleWren]

That mare, Shiloh, seems to tick all my boxes. Hmmm…thanks for the link walkinthewalk! Going to see if I can stretch my budget a little bit more.

[walkinthewalk]

Once upon a time the SSH’s were an entity unto themselves. Years ago they were short coupled , shorter, stockier and were “Morgan tough”.

My friend had one of the old timey SSH’s around 2003 or 4? He was barely 14.H. She is 5’7” and one of the people whose cancer treatments made her gain weight, so she grudgingly sold her horse, fearing he might not be able to safely slog thru mud with her.

I have a pic of him somewhere and I can say he in no way resembles some of today’s SSH’s, who seem to have have morphed into lanky long backed TWH’s with spots:)

Another FWIW, there are indeed Spotted Walkers. If you look at the old time horses on Walkers West, Walking Horses have had spots forever, lolol. They were never popular in the show ring, for some reason.

I’m a retired die hard trail rider and never did go for flash. My remaining two TWH’s are a sorrel and a solid red chestnut.

I think it will take a special mentality to tolerate guns blasting near it, however. Of the four Walking Horses who have been with me (two have passed) the big sorrel does not do well with guns going off. He can get you off the edge of rock ledge in fine fashion but no guns, lol

The lady who sold me the solid red chestnut said he was used to her neighbors setting off dynamite sticks on July 4th and never flicked an ear, lol

From what I have read on an old gaited forum, I gather one has to watch the legs when buying an experienced field trial horse. I get the sense some of them are rode pretty hard and put away wet, so be sure a PPE includes leg x-rays. Maybe even have a good lameness vet do an exam:)

Best wishes on this venture:)

[Jackie_Cochran]

You said you had hip and back issues.

I really recommend riding the horse before buying it. I have wonky hips (hip bursitis) and the horses who triggered my hips the worse were gaited, a Paso Fino mare who had very straight upright pasterns, and a TWH mare without any obvious conformation issues (ouch! with the TWH.)

On the other hand my own Paso Fino mare did not cause me any issues.

There is a decent chance that you could find a moderately gaited horse in non-gaited breeds. Many QHs have this little odd in-between gait which can be very smooth and pleasant to ride. Personally I gaited three pure Arabs and a part-Arab mare (fox trot). I have noticed that a horse of a non-gaited breed either has a gait hidden away in there or they do not.

Sometimes I can tell by the way the horse moves its back at a walk but that does not always work. To me it feels like the horse has an “extra gear” and the horse’s back moves like it is ready to go right into the gait with a little encouragement.

[WildLittleWren]

Yeah I probably need to try several out. The SSH’s I rode did not aggravate my hips or my back…if fact I told people the only time my back has smiled when I’m on a horse in the past fifteen years has been on those two SSH’s. But you are probably right…some side to side motion may not be good for my hips. I have a twisted pelvis, trauma induced scoliosis, and arthritis and narrowing in my spine in my lower and middle back. I forget the exact terms for it.

So, comfort to me is extremely important. I can’t be in agony doing a several hour long field trial or trail ride…and I want to ride as many years as possible.

I think once I test ride one I will know. If my back and hips smile, and the horse has all the other requirements, that will be the one. I’m super excited, but want to make sure I end up with the right horse for the job.

Thank you for your advice!

[Jackie_Cochran]

If it is any comfort to you, I KNEW within 5 minutes of just a walk.

[RiderInTheRain]

I don’t do mounted field trials (though am hoping to ride along to watch at one or more this year), but I do foxhunt and some of the public lands we have our hunts on are also used by field trialing groups. The people are always really friendly when we’ve briefly overlapped at the same place.

One of the members of my hunt prefers gaited horses and over the years has bought several field trialing horses as foxhunters. Her strategy is just to show up at a field trial, introduce herself and say that she’s looking for a good gaited horse. She’s several times been invited to try a horse for sale right then and there. Or the folks there have told her about horses that are for sale just be word of mouth and she’s gone to look at them at a later time. She’s acquired a few nice horses this way over the years.

[WildLittleWren]

Thank you! I think there is one in February, if we have moved up in time, I plan on going to watch. Thank you!