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

[Jackie_Cochran]

I’d keep Crabbet Arabians in my buy list. The Blunts were looking for pure blood in the desert, and the Bedouin tribes they bought from did not usually ride with stirrups, therefore they had no defense from the jolting of the trot. I imagine the Bedouin allowed any easy gait their mares came up with to keep up with a walking/pacing camel.

The last Arab I gaited (fox trot) is probably pure/mostly Crabbet (passed on with no papers, a thrown-away mare.) She responded the first time I asked her to gait. My Davenport Arabians took a little longer to respond, three times? (The Davenports went quickly from WTF to “sure, I get it now!”) I suspect that many of the Arabs that do not trot especially high have an easy gait somewhere in there, but the rider usually HAS TO ask for it unlike TWHs or Pasos.

Those sweet faced Crabbet Arabs are a lot more talented than they are given credit for. All you have to do is ask in a way that the horse can understand.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;7644077]
Thanks so much for all the responses in this thread, it has all been very illuminating. Yet I’m so torn! I can almost see myself biffing along on a golden, flowy Tennessee walker, yet the call of the Crabbet is still strong within me … clearly I can’t make a swift decision here. Maybe I will just take my neighbor’s free mule and call it a day.[/QUOTE]

If there is no physiological reason to shift away from the trot as the intermediate gait then buy what pleases you. If there is then you will have to decide between aggravation of an existing condition or not.

The trot takes a toll on the back. Several years ago at the Battle of the Little Big Horn site all the soldiers who fell there were exhumed (they were originally buried where they fell) and moved to a new cemetery. During the process there were forensic anthropology examinations of the remains. All the troopers, even the youngest, had evidence of back lesions consistent with the pounding of a sitting trot (the Cavalry in the U.S. did not take up the rising trot until the end of the 19th Century). So the risk of injury to the back is demonstrably real. If there is already an issue then the risk of further issues increases.

Time and tide will claim us all. If you want to extend the time where you can get pleasure from riding then take the steps that need to be taken to accomplish this goal. One step is a shift to a gaited horse. It may not be the only step, but it is one that works.

G.

[Bluey]

Well, I would say, there are horses that trot as smooth as any gaited horse, truly so.
We had two of them, one our old paint our neighbor’s kids learned to ride and work cattle with, that they didn’t learn to post, because he was so smooth, you practically could not.

So, just look for the horse you find pleasure with and is very smooth, no matter what else is there.

[King_s_Ransom]

My little Arab is off my black list and so no longer available for free. :lol:

However, having said that, I do not know his bloodlines. He looks like the Crabbet photos and descriptions I have seen. That means nothing. I will just say that we never knew he could foxtrot until my trainer came over and while riding, she felt it. Once she felt it, she then asked for it. And away they went.

Rocky has a jaw-breaking trot. But that little foxtrot he does is so smooth and easy to ride. He also likes doing it and can go all day.

Rocky is a complex little fellow, but I really love him.

[walkinthewalk]

After all of the above has been said, who will you be riding with? If mostly alone, or with acquaintences on walk/trot horses, then yes, stay with the Arabs and find one with a silky-smooth trot.

If there are some gaited horses in the mix and the person you most want to carry on a conversation with, is on one of those gaited horses be prepared to do an extended trot or a lope for a long time. At least speaking for Tennessee Walkers, gaited horses are capable of keeping that intermediate gait for very long periods of time – which is precisely why southern Plantation owners preferred TWH’s. They could quickly cover the vast expanses of their plantations, on a refined horse, in a smooth manner and even hook that same horse to their fancy carriage to attend church on Sunday.

[2DogsFarm]

You may not regret taking a mule.
I have been horsecamping with friends & 7 of 9 riders were on mules.
They were amazingly surefooted on the steep vertical trails my friends preferred.

OTOH, I was told they are a 180 from horse-nality (to use a Pepperoni-ism) & training needs to be different than with your run-of-the-mill equine of any breed.

If you can trial the freebie mule & owner will take him/her back if it doesn’t work out, might be worth a try.

I know people also say horses & mules may not mix.
But the TWH I took camping (his 1st time) fell IN LOFF with one of the Mollies & could not stand to be far from her side.
17h+ of smitten TWH mooning over 15h-nothing of Molly mule.
He did everything but bring candy & flowers.
She could have cared less.

To add some fuel to the pot: there are gaited mules.

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=Guilherme;7644122]
If there is no physiological reason to shift away from the trot as the intermediate gait then buy what pleases you. If there is then you will have to decide between aggravation of an existing condition or not.

The trot takes a toll on the back. Several years ago at the Battle of the Little Big Horn site all the soldiers who fell there were exhumed (they were originally buried where they fell) and moved to a new cemetery. During the process there were forensic anthropology examinations of the remains. All the troopers, even the youngest, had evidence of back lesions consistent with the pounding of a sitting trot (the Cavalry in the U.S. did not take up the rising trot until the end of the 19th Century). So the risk of injury to the back is demonstrably real. If there is already an issue then the risk of further issues increases.

Time and tide will claim us all. If you want to extend the time where you can get pleasure from riding then take the steps that need to be taken to accomplish this goal. One step is a shift to a gaited horse. It may not be the only step, but it is one that works.

G.[/QUOTE]

If THAT’S the case, my back should be in the Smithsonian! :eek:

[Cindyg]

A Fjord makes a terrific “old lady” horse. They’re also good for little kids and everyone in between.

See my blog for many pictures of very happy people with Fjords.

[shall]

My 13 year old SE Arabian has a rocking chair canter that one can ride all day. He’s happy to do it, especially if he gets to have his head. It’s a cruising gear for him. One time he wanted to check something out and managed to canter in place so he could have a good look. He also keeps his eyes on me all the time and takes no move without making sure I am safe. I’m 61 and that care is priceless.

Having a horse you want to go out and spend time with is part of the deal. He’s your partner.

[The_Crone_of_Cottonmouth_Count]

[QUOTE=King’s Ransom;7644165]
My little Arab is off my black list and so no longer available for free.
[…]
Rocky is a complex little fellow, but I really love him.[/QUOTE]

Exactly how I feel about every Arab I’ve ever had. There’s definitely something about’em that appeals to the intellectual side of my emotional side, if that makes any sense.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;7645124]
Exactly how I feel about every Arab I’ve ever had. There’s definitely something about’em that appeals to the intellectual side of my emotional side, if that makes any sense.[/QUOTE]

Watch those videos of gaiting horses of all kinds, how they move, some with a huge head bob, others a million steps a second, etc.

Their trot may be super smooth, but do you really want to go on riding for so long with all that other going on, just to have that smooth of a trot?

Be sure you try whatever horse you try for longer than a few minutes and love that smooth trot, but forget that for longer than those minutes, the rest that horse offers may not be what you like.

If you are used to a certain type gaited horse, then you already know.
If you are not, it may take a learning curve to like all that too.

As for personalities, really any horse of any breed may be personable or a grump, smarter or more aloof, a trickster or a hotrodder.

I would look at “horses” in general and find one that speaks to you all around and you can see yourself adding it to your herd and smiling every time you see it.

If you were looking for a certain discipline, then yes, get one for that.
One more to have around, the world is your oyster, most any breed could fit.

[The_Crone_of_Cottonmouth_Count]

[QUOTE=Bluey;7645135]
Watch those videos of gaiting horses of all kinds, how they move, some with a huge head bob, others a million steps a second, etc.

Their trot may be super smooth, but do you really want to go on riding for so long with all that other going on, just to have that smooth of a trot?

Be sure you try whatever horse you try for longer than a few minutes and love that smooth trot, but forget that for longer than those minutes, the rest that horse offers may not be what you like.

If you are used to a certain type gaited horse, then you already know.
If you are not, it may take a learning curve to like all that too.

As for personalities, really any horse of any breed may be personable or a grump, smarter or more aloof, a trickster or a hotrodder.

I would look at “horses” in general and find one that speaks to you all around and you can see yourself adding it to your herd and smiling every time you see it.

If you were looking for a certain discipline, then yes, get one for that.
One more to have around, the world is your oyster, most any breed could fit.[/QUOTE]

Like so many of these excellent responses, sound advice. I was also entertained by Guilherme’s account of the 19th century cavalry’s back problems. Taking it all under advisement. Will probably not venture into gaited muledom, however; that’s just a bit too exotic even for me.

[Antaeus]

[QUOTE=Donkaloosa;7641718]
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…[/QUOTE]

My husband’s mule is a MUCH smoother ride than my mustang! I love riding Gambler.Of course the fact that his dam is a TWH might play a part… But our newer mule ( of unknown horse parentage)is also pretty smoth as well. They both have laid-back temperments, too. I’m 67 - smooth+easy going is good.

[Jackie_Cochran]

[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;7645124]
Exactly how I feel about every Arab I’ve ever had. There’s definitely something about’em that appeals to the intellectual side of my emotional side, if that makes any sense.[/QUOTE]

I’m an Arab person too, that is why I decided to see if mine had a gait in them. I look at other types of horses, sometimes I even dream of other types of horses, but I KNOW that if miraculously I could afford to own a horse again it would probably be an Arab. Nowadays there are “throwaway” Arabs of excellent ancestry, cheap, and if saddle broke they often need guidance around their resistances. But I can get a better riding horse for my dollars with the Arab since I’m not jumping. Luckily Arabs appreciate Forward Seat riding so long the contact is light. Besides, some can WALK at 4-6 MPH, often faster than the bigger horses!

Besides, who else can I have a high level “conversation” with alone on the trail? Who else can I negotiate with to put up with my considerable handicaps? What other horse than an Arab will look me in the eye and “tell” me that he will take care of me?

You sound like me. Arabs are hard to leave. Open your heart, decide what you want (including ability to do an easy gait), and look around. You may just run into an Arab that wants to have a person just like you, someone who can understand an Arabian’s soul, AND an Arab who is able to gait and is willing to put up with your imperfections (if you have any.) If an Arab is stuck in a stable with other types of horses and non-Arab people you might have trouble keeping them from climbing into your car to go home with you.

It does not sound like you will really be happy with anything else.

[kathy_s]

I’ve been an avid Arabian fan since I bought my first one in 1983- had 8 QH’s and sold them all after that. If you are on FB, there is a rehoming page for HA and PB that you might like. There are some really nice horses that people are either giving away or selling for $500 and under. Here is the link;

https://www.facebook.com/groups/354873762065/

We live between New Braunfels and San Marcos, so if you need/want an enabler that lives close by, send a pm

[starrunner]

Crone–if you end up looking for another Arab send me a PM.

A friend is selling one of those super special go anywhere-with-an-idiot, super safe Arabian. A very sweet, kind mare…but the kid that owned her quit riding.

[sophie]

My little Morgan mare had a trot, and canter, as smooth as they come. So does my Ottb. My sister’s SF mare, same thing. I tend to gravitate to smooth horses, as I have a fragile back.

My sister has (had) many a problem with her knees and back, and a few years ago when she was at her worst, she got into Icelandic horses. She rides on the trails and treks, mostly, and loved the small size, smooth gaits, and personality. However, if indeed you ride in company with these horses, it can be tricky. When riding her little Icey at tölt, I was miles ahead of the non-gaited horses, who even tho they were all full size, had to canter to keep up.

[SLW]

[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;7641485]
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?[/QUOTE]

Yesterday a friend brought another friend out for a trail ride. Her friend, new to me, is 60 and has bad knees. She bred and raised draft/TB crosses for years and fox hunted. She was riding a Tennessee Walker that she bought in May, sight unseen, from a man in Tennessee who two friends recommended. The gray gelding looked like an Andalusian- noble headed, strong legs and hooves, short wide back with nice muscles for a 9 year old horse. Her horse was as pleasant and suitable as any horse could be. Nothing screamed TWH about him- he was a level headed, using horse.

I’d say investigate a gaited horse if that would put you back in the saddle.

[WoofNWhinny]

You won’t know what you’re missing until you try a gaited horse.

Every single person I’ve put up on my Walker, whether on their first ride or an experienced rider who’s ridden dozens of different non-gaited horses for many years, has had the exact same reaction as soon as he starts gaiting: laughing out loud from sheer joy and surprise at how wonderful it feels. :winkgrin::yes:

Personally, if you’re looking for a really smooth gait, I would suggest looking for a Walker with a long stride. He should be smoother than a shorter-strided horse even at the slowest (i.e. non-gaiting) walk.

But do try various horses too. Another Walker I rode had the shorter stride and while his gait was reasonably smooth, he just didn’t have the same feeling of gliding on ice. I’ve ridden a Quarter Horse that I was assured by several people had THE smoothest western jog ever and found that horse’s gait to be quite jiggly and bouncy, and not what I would call smooth at all. Same for an Icelandic, she was rather rough when tolting compared to what I was used to. It all comes down to personal preference and personal experience.

Also keep in mind that people can only speak from their own experience. I’ve never tried a Paso, so I have no basis for comparison there other than visually (looking at whether the rider is jostled or not as the horse gaits). If I’d never ridden a gaited breed, I might think that Quarter Horse with the western jog or the Icey had lovely gaits. You may enjoy that style of movement, so definitely try as many individual horses as you can before you decide.

But yeah, as much as I absolutely LOVED posting the trot in years past, I don’t miss it one bit! I wouldn’t go back to a trotting breed again, and as far as personality and temperament goes, I’d have to have a Walker. They’re friendly, people-oriented, smart, willing, sensible, and just plain FUN horses to be around! :yes: