True in the Morgan world, too. At least the for saddleseat horses in the ring, the canter is very short. Perhaps because some of them get pretty wild! The walk (always just before the canter) is also really short. It’s allllllllll about the trot.
Did you know that there are gaited Morgans? Another one of those things that the traditionalists tried to deny, but now that there’s a genetic test for it, sure enough, those horses that “move funny” are often gaited.
Yes! Gaited Morgans look like so much fun!
I suspect that in the vast majority of our equine breeds there are more gaited genes than we expect or know about. Coming up through the sporthorse ranks I always thought gaited horses were “weird” or “other” but it seems throughout history we wanted gaited rather than trotting horses!
And yes, those saddleseat canters are something else 
For additional information, I was just reading Lee Ziegler’s “Easy Gaited Horses” and Lee says that many horses can be taught to rack or saddle rack, even from non-gaited breeds. There are some breeds that do it naturally. She talks a lot about essential tension in the neck and back, which is more than just having the head up.
I’m fascinated by the concept of gaits not being “fixed”. It makes sense - a tense horse will produce a lateral walk - but that also means that a lateral walk can be turned into gait. Useful information!
The Kellogg Arabian farm in California used to teach a couple of the horses they used in their Sunday exhibitions to rack and one other gait. The stallion Raseyn was one of the more noted ones.
(I went to the exhibitions with my grandmother as a kid. I don’t remember any 5 gaited Arabians, though.)
Hanad, a Davenport Arabian,bred at Hingham Stock Farm, was 5 gaited, rode and drove, and also could jump rope.
He was in the Kellogg sunday shows and also in some movies.
She did (passed away in 2018.) A trainer who was familiar with saddlebreds also told me that she (mare) was doing a slow gait once when I was trying to get her to canter. Thus the 5-gaited OTTB. We had boarded at a barn with some saddlebreds; one day when riding I thought “what if I speed up her trot instead of trying to slow it down” and she answered with a rack. Interestingly enough, at another barn she had been in the ring with an Andalusian and seemed to be trying to imitate the way he moved.
Just a little bumping bump for those who might be new to the land…
We have not been off property in a year due to a busy schedule (didn’t show at all last year) so what do I do but sign us up for the nearby season opener lol
I don’t know that we will show. I entered one class but since he really isn’t fit/ready and the show is next week maybe all we will do is school and support the show. Scratching is NBD.
The lanky man has had a break for winter and is now starting back up. I’m still not sure where he will end up. I’m going to try him in the western saddle to see if he finds that more comfortable, but I can’t do that until I have ground support. I do think he will be a gorgeous Shatner horse. He is beautiful and loves to be groomed and pampered unlike the main man who just didn’t get the saddlebred memo that they are supposed to enjoy it.
How’s everyone else shaping up this year?
Thanks for starting this thread! Looking forward to seeing lots of great pics.
Because Morgan is in the title… I’ll be starting a Morgan colt under saddle soon, and he’s my first Morgan, so any specific tips for this type of brain would be great! (I know that horses are horses and should be treated as individuals not breeds, but still interested in insider advice!)
This thread has me watching Saddlebred ads in my general area and there is a nice 8 year old gelding but he’s hardly been out of the arena. I only ride trails (major trails) but he has me wondering how he would handle the transition. He just looks nice and sweet, intrigues me.
Usually they handle it really well. Obviously all of them are individuals, but they are smart and want to please so they figure it out! 
Morgans are so stinking smart! I only had one, so I’m sure the other Morgan enthusiasts have more info that is helpful.
Mine was a cute little jumper and learned to kiss on command 
Well I inquired on the ASB and he’s still available and… things are getting real. DH is for it so the biggest hurdle is cleared.
Ok, I am SO excited!!! Can’t wait to see!!
Well I might need you on speed dial, they are riding him in a badly fitted bridle, nylon halter underneath and a martingale… I have a very good eye and feel on horses but it makes me wonder why they are doing the martingale. He is traveling soft and happy in the arena in that getup with a nice rider so… hmm.
Absolutely. What kind of martingale? A “Saddlebred/Arabian” martingale is not unusual, although synthetic tack is. Is it a horse who has been in Amish hands?
Pm me any time!
No Amish anywhere around here though I don’t know his history yet, I think it’s saddlebred/arab martingale. He looks like he’s being used by a kid or a lesson horse. I will PM… would like your eyeballs on him. Will have to figure out PM; you might have to hit me up first.
It is very normal for saddlebreds to be ridden in a running martingale that kind of looks like a breastplate with rings. It does two things, brings the head down a bit but also buffers the mouth from lesser skilled contact. Somewhere (I’ll have to search for the link) there is an explanation of the physics
Often, they are ridden in two reins. One straight to the bit to keep the head up and the second through the martingale to sort of simulate the curb rein.
It also tends to keep a horse straight. Their necks are really bendy and I noticed that when ridden in one they do a lot less rubbernecking. Until you get used to how soft they can be, keeping all that neck in front of you and not woobling all over the place can be a bit challenging. We people who are used to shorter necks can tend to over correct.
Definitely nothing to be concerned about. Very normal!
Here it is! @OnAMission - about the types of martingale and reins that are very typical.
https://www.aotclinic.com/running-martingales-draw-reins-and-german-martingales-a-physics-lesson/
Somewhere I also have a link to the study that shows that it buffers the hand. I was really curious about it. The reason you don’t use a normal jumping type of martingale is that these guys can get those in their mouths in a half second.
Thank you!
My ASB is at a training farm. I’ve been riding him 2x a week and they have been riding 4X a week.
I take a lesson on him again, so I’ll report back. He’s doing well…but they still haven’t adjusted to his ASBness for lack of a better word.
His canter is just dreamy and so fun to ride, they agree and love his canter. He starts baby jumps next week.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
