Article Index

Unconscious Abuse

Repeat

Rest and Digest

Sometimes Wrong is Right

Passenger or Driver

Sky Rocket

Wheel Alignment

Have You Ever Been Fired?

Straighten Up and Fly Right

Hi Ho Silver

Two Heads

Pedal to the Metal

The Whole Enchilada

Boulder Jumping

Wheel Alignment

When gaited horses are moving correctly, they're a dream to ride, but, in my opinion, they create a special challenge because they have more gaits than non-gaited horses possess.

I had an eye-catching spotted mare in training because her owner wanted her to be more consistent on the trail. I was riding down a county dirt road on this mare and she was giving me a very nice smooth fox trot. I was really enjoying the ride when all of a sudden she switched gears to a pace. The switch happened so fast I didn't’t know what had taken place to cause it. As I continued to ride down the road, I had plenty of opportunities to become frustrated with these shifts. On the up side I had ample time to work on the problem.

I just started observing her as we traveled along the side of the road. I finally noticed that any time something caught her eye I could expect a switch of gait. If she noticed cows moving across a pasture heading for their favorite watering hole, or a jackrabbit jetting off from underneath a bush, or a noise off in the distance. At first I didn't’t think these things could be part of the problem or make such a difference in keeping her consistent, but as I found out they truly did! I had to keep her head and neck in alignment (straight ahead) in order for her to hold her fox trot. It brought to mind the similarity between a car and a horse. We all know how important it is to have our car’s wheels aligned so we don’t have to continually buy new tires and with proper alignment our car can perform at its best. The same goes for our gaited horses. If they are out of alignment they can’t perform the gaits we desire with any consistency. It is also possible they can get tired and sore from being out of the correct position to gait properly. I never realized until I rode this spotted mare how important (for gait) head position was going to be. What this mare taught me is still fresh in my memory even though it happened 10 years ago. Since that experience, I find I'm always aware of a horse’s head position and will work on correcting it any time it gets out of position for proper performance.

Next time you are out riding your gaited horse, remember to work for proper wheel alignment! In the long run, you will have less frustration and your horse will gait far better than he ever did before

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