Should I get a gaited horse and foxtrot through my sunset years?

[The_Crone_of_Cottonmouth_Count]

I recently had to put down my favorite little Arabian, and although it is a sad business I need to fill the vacancy so my herd functions properly. So I says to my sister I says, let’s go Arabian shopping! And she says back, “are you CRAZY, you’re 55 years old and a lousy rider and with your crappy bone density you’re just about one little snort-and-blow away from a broken hip.”

And she sent me this link as a joke. [If you don’t feel like clicking, it’s quite a handsome buckskin Missouri Foxtrotter who is dead broke and trick trained and has done time at Clinton Anderson’s. The video is pretty swanky and the NH dude riding the horse isn’t even a douche. They want every bit of $28,500 for this unshown 9-year-old gelding.] I laughed and laughed.

But it got me to thinkin’. At this point in my life I’m mostly just trail riding around the farm anyway. I have no real reason to buy another hot, exciting horse just because that’s what’s always been in that stall. Maybe my sister’s right. Maybe I do need a smooth, sure-footed, Western-y gaited packer (perhaps a slightly less expensive one than the buckskin) to tote my ass in comparative safety up to the mailbox and back.

But I know jack about gaited horses generally and even less than jack about the various breeds individually. As Bluey mentioned in another thread, they usually kind of look slightly crippled to me, but I could totally get over that if it meant my skeleton wouldn’t be rattling. Anyone got any suggestions? Can a crone transition to gaited at this late date? Where do I even start looking for one? Or should I just forget about it and take one of the free horses everyone and their dog is suddenly trying to give me?

[katarine]

Cloud 9 Walkers is not far from you and they have a good reputation.

http://cloud9walkers.com/

Every single one of these horses is unique. This TWH doesn’t feel like that TWH. Some are so huge in their walk stride it’s not comfortable for a long ride.

I’ve met complete IDIOT MFT’s and total dolls.

Just like some trotting horses beat you to death while others have a floaty trot…you have to ride the right horse.

[Field_of_Dreams_Mini]

Pretty horse, but I agree… too many zeros in that price.

[oliverreed]

Yes!! Yes, you should get a gaited horse. I bought my Paso when I was 50 (am now 56) and it is just the nicest, smoothest ride ever!

[Cashela]

Bahahahaha, let me just say if you find someone with a really really nice smooth gaited horse to try, you aren’t going to go back. I rode a Standardbred that I loved dearly for years, she was a trotter. When I had to suddenly retire her a little earlier then expected someone let me try their MFT. I was like what the heck was I doing riding a trotting horse all of these years? This horse just glided along.

My advice, try as many as you can before you settle on one. What one person finds comfortable, another will not. They are all different. Mine have wonderful canters as well.

Good luck and have fun and sorry about the loss of your Arab.

[Guilherme]

Many folks turn to the gaited horse as their “last horse.”

You don’t need to just think of “foxtrotting.” You can also running walk, paso llano, marcha picada, rack, generic “single foot,” etc.

Falls are an issue from any horse. Not all gaited horses are “laid back” (just as not all Arabs are fire breathing dragon spawn). Still, some breeds are know to be more “forward” than others.

Right now, in East TN, you can get a good quality, reasonably well trained TWH or Racking Horse or Spotted Saddle Horse for $1500 more or less. It will be trained to saddle, but will likely have significant “holes” if you’re looking for “classical training.” Filling the holes is not that hard but it does take time.

Below this level you’re “bottom fishing.”

Above this level you’re a rich Yankee looking to get “skinned.”

This is a course worth following for a while to see what’s out there that fits your needs.

Good luck in your program.

G.

[Cashela]

Oh yeah, I always hear people say gaited horses are nuts because they go so fast. Uhm, no, some are nuts (I own one) others are just nice and calm, just like any other breed.

[2DogsFarm]

Try it, you may very well more than like it.
Some gaited horses do trot, some do not. Ever.
Some have lovely Rocking horse canters, some…see above.

I’ve had the pleasure of owning one of each - both TWH.
DH’s TWH was not registered as he could not be blood-typed back the required 4 generations for TWHBEA.
He had a nice gait but also a great trot, tons of natural suspension & the aforementioned canter.
Great trail horse, fun to Event & you could not beat his personality.
If there was ever a People Horse he was IT.

My TWH was registered (Triple Threat & Coins Hard Cash) and Did.Not.Trot.
His gait was much smoother than DH’s Walker - it felt like getting a backrub while riding - but he crossfired cantering.
It was fixable, but hard for us both.
He also had the wonderful personality, 17h+ of lapdog.
My vet called him the Belgian Walking Horse.

So, my advice is sure, try one out,
What you got to lose?

[oliverreed]

I agree with once you try one and like it you are never going to go back. My Paso Fino is definitely pretty hot, but there are lots out there that are not. I tried to teach mine to canter on request (he canters at liberty) but it just messed up his fast gait, so I quit. Sometimes on the trail I will let him hand gallop, though.

[Kerrysmom818]

Love the gaited breeds! The only thing to keep in mind, from my experience, if you ride with others on non-gaited horses - they will have a hard time keeping up with you! My trainer went out with me once - I was on my 14.3 gaited mare - she was on her 16.2 TB - the TB had to trot to keep up with our walk. And it was her flat walk! The other issue to be aware of is DSLD in some gaited breeds. Do your research before you buy. PS Sorry for your loss.

[kasjordan]

You can find a gaited horse that you can ride with friends on other gaited horses or friends on stock horses…My TWH can be ridden on the buckle and I can chat away with friends on their chubby little QHs… He can canter right beside my daughter on her spunky little Morgan through the woods…and he can nod his way up the road with a gang of other Walkers. They’re out there. Lots of it depends on how they’re trained. Ride lots of them, you will see what you like and what you don’t.

[katarine]

look crazy walkers in snaffles on normal feet

http://youtu.be/eLMTEXuOG3M

[beautifuldreamer]

Also keep Standardbreds in mind. Some are gaited, some not. Most STB’s are smart, easy-going, sturdy, and healthy animals. We have an older model that paces, racks, canters, trots and ambles! Gentle as they come. Have fun finding your gaited horse!

[JBD]

You can get an Arabian that isn’t as hot. I’m 57 and still riding and showing full and 1/2 arabians. Personally, I’d look first to the Crabbet bred.

[Diamontaire]

I’m putting in a “get another Arab” vote- love 'em! My new guy was just gelded at 12 and switching from his former breeding career to an endurance path. Level-headed as they come, went out on the trails in a group after about 6 arena rides, and is now going out solo (two months after groundwork). And comes running to the gate when I pull up. Amazing horse.

Condolences on the loss of your friend.

[pj1]

[QUOTE=kasjordan;7641594]
Ride lots of them, you will see what you like and what you don’t.[/QUOTE]

This. And for more than a few minutes. Hit the trails with them.
When I was sixty three I thought a gaited horse would be good. It was fun riding them for the first time and I enjoyed it but when I got my own (no offense intended) and really put some miles on her I was bored to death. It felt like just sitting not riding to me. Guess fifty years of trotters had shut me down for anything else. Oddly the gaited horse tired me out more than the trotters.

I sold that mare (she was pretty, too) and got another trotter. I’ve never looked back. Just make sure you like the gaited before you buy. Good luck whichever way you go.

[Donkaloosa]

I don’t think that gaited or non-gaited should be your question. I think you need to look at whether or not the horse is bombproof, as well as if he/she is comfortable for you. A mule or even a donkey may be your best solution. There are a lot of quiet, comfy Arabs and half Arabs out there if you want to stick with that breed. You are looking for safe and sane, and whether that ends up being a gaited horse or not doesn’t really matter — unless, of course, you ride a good TWH or whatever and fall in love with the gait!

[TWH_Girl]

I adore Walkers! Have trotted for lessons on many horses- QH, saddlebreds, lipizzans. All nice horses, but I don’t think I’ve met a Walker yet that I don’t like. It’s not just the gait as they are all different in how they move, but their temperaments are truly awesome!!! You can do so much with them too- I show my guy one day, and the next day, we are out on a nice relaxing trail ride. The BEST!!

Whatever you do, I would encourage you to look into a gaited mount. One word of caution if you trail ride with non-gaited- the gaited horses move faster, even at a regular walk, friends have to trot to keep up so just something to consider.

[TWH_Girl]

[QUOTE=Guilherme;7641517]
Many folks turn to the gaited horse as their “last horse.”

You don’t need to just think of “foxtrotting.” You can also running walk, paso llano, marcha picada, rack, generic “single foot,” etc.

Falls are an issue from any horse. Not all gaited horses are “laid back” (just as not all Arabs are fire breathing dragon spawn). Still, some breeds are know to be more “forward” than others.

Right now, in East TN, you can get a good quality, reasonably well trained TWH or Racking Horse or Spotted Saddle Horse for $1500 more or less. It will be trained to saddle, but will likely have significant “holes” if you’re looking for “classical training.” Filling the holes is not that hard but it does take time.

Below this level you’re “bottom fishing.”

Above this level you’re a rich Yankee looking to get “skinned.”

This is a course worth following for a while to see what’s out there that fits your needs.

Good luck in your program.

G.[/QUOTE]

Good to know about the prices in TN!! My trainer goes down there 3x per year to bring back Walkers for sale. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year.

[sonata]

I agree on the Crabbet arabs. Nice and stocky, not real big and good minds. I had a 1/2 arab that I really enjoyed riding. No spook, lots of common sense and could trust her with my non riding grandchildren. Had to put her down because of cancer. Miss her, but at least I have her daughter and granddaughter.