To go gaited or not??? and advice

[Auventera_Two]

@psidio;3164033

I actually am more sore after riding the MFT for 25 or 50 miles than the Arab. It is probably due to not moving my knees and legs as much on the MFT. Kind of like sitting in a chair for a long time.

That’s how I have felt too. I get more sore from just sitting there than actively posting and changing positions frequently.

When I rode the missouri fox trotter, I noticed that the lady had a very slick seat in her saddle and my butt skiied back and forth across the seat. The saddle didn’t seem too big, but the motion of the horse just slid me all over the place. My butt bones got really sore from that.

Steve Smith’s 100 mile horse is a missouri fox trotter, so obviously the gait works very well for him. I think it’s one of those things you just really have to try before you decide.

[lindat]

I have to say that I was never really a fan of gaited horses for a personal horse. However, my sister just got a TWH gelding in that could possibly change my mind. First of all he is gorgeous! Looks more like a warm blood than how I typically picture a TWH. NICE head, black, almost 16 hands, extremely smooth and FAST! He has a little more “get-up-and-go” than some trail riders want but will relax and slow down if encouraged to do so. So I guess you would have to ride a few and see what you think. I know they certainly have a LOYAL following!!!

[jazzrider]

I encourage you not to look at just one gaited breed. Individual horses can be so different. I got my TWH last year (didn’t ride gaited before that), and while we were looking I was amazed at the variety of body types and movement (“feel”) the breed has. Like others have said, my TWH is anything but pokey. My QH has to trot (occasionally lope) to keep up with his flat walk. He can go forever without breaking a sweat at the flat walk, which is big. My TWH is the more fine build, but many we looked at were much more stocky.

My husband has a 17.1 Spotted Saddle Horse that most people think is a draft cross. He can walk, trot, pace, rack or canter. Whatever you prefer. He’s a very versatile trail horse.

When we were looking, there weren’t a lot of gaited horses for sale in the NVA area (we ended up buying in the Charlottesville area). If you limit your search to one breed, you may have slim pickens!

[jeano]

Agree that there’s a lot of individual variation in the gaited breeds, but one thing I notice, both from personal observation and Utube videos, is that most of them seem very capable of packing us larger riders around. If you check out trail rides involving gaited horses you will find a lot of folks like me, generously endowed in the poundage department, middle aged, creaky joints. My narrow walker has no trouble toting my 180 pounds around all day, and my racking horse could probably handle (heck I know she HAS handled) a much heftier rider using heavier tack. While neither of my horses has been to a real LD or endurance ride, they have comfortably handled little 18-20 mile rides barefoot. They are sound–Sadie got clonked on a back leg once and that leg got hot and tender, two days rest and some cold water several times a day and she was fine…These horses for the most part were bred and used back in the woods, up in the hills, not pampered. They are tough and typically have very kind dispositions–this from someone who used to own stock type horses and couldnt see what the fuss was about with gaited-ness. Well, now I know.

[gabz]

Yes, when shopping, be sure to try each and every horse out.

When I was searching for a MFT, I checked more than a couple that had NO gait in them because they were owned by non-gaited horse people who didn’t know HOW to help them gait.

I wanted a MFT because I hope to be able to do some cow work - which is why the MFT was originally developed. I would say that an MFT is more likely to be 5 gaited than a TWH…
And. gaited horses can be “pacey” or “trotty”… there are ways to help them achieve the correct gait through riding and through hoof trimming.

Ask around and find some VERY good and trusted MFT breeders/ trainers if that’s what you want. Same for any other gaited breed.

AND… there ARE gaited Baskir Curly horses - the hypo-allergenic horse!! There’s a gal in Vermont ? or New Hampshire, can’t remember - that raises them.

[scrtwh]

There has been some very good advice about gaited trail horses. The best one being try a lot of the different breeds out and then try a lot of different individuals within your breed of choice. The TWH has the ability to do nine different pure gaits and an infinite number of bastardized versions of them. The best way to describe the gaits are to visualize two beat diagonal (trot) to two beat lateral(pace), the four beat “gaiting horses” range within those two parameters. MFT’s have a broken diagonal gait, the racking horses have a broken lateral gait.

I currently have two TWH’s. Both are foundation bred, so stout, big boned, deep wide chest, with that gorgeous saddle horse neck and head. My boy is much more comfortable to ride for longer distances because his overstride and reach are not as long as my mares. He has a nice little saddle gait but much shorter strided, it minimizes movement in the saddle. My mare, is a hoot to ride for shorter, less than three hours, rides, she can walk a hole in the ground, not much can keep up with her, she has a 42" overstride that thrusts you forward with every stride and is very exhilerating. But, the butt gets sore because of her impressive movement, I ride her in a Heather Moffit Pheonix, which is uber comfortable and makes the "longer rides much more fun. so … have fun and welcome to the world of gaited horses. :yes:

[sunridge1]

I’m an ASB owner but have owned some very old style TWH’s. Last spring I bought my 49 year old non-horsey DH a 4 year old TWH that is wonderful for him. He’s not the stout type I like however DH loves him. They are a great breed just be careful of the pacey types. Very uncomfortable ride. Good luck in your search.

Mary