I'm selling my Appy and looking for a gaited horse for trail riding.  I'm reading as much as I can via internet searches but have many questions...

Do I have to buy all new tack or can I use a western saddle on a gaited horse?

Is it common to neck rein or do most require direct reining?

Not to stir up a hornet's nest but, what is your favorite gaited breed and why?

Do they require specialized trimming/shoes (I plan to do lots of trail riding, lots and lots)?

If there was one piece of advice in relation to searching for a first time buy of a gaited horse, what would it be?

Thanks in advance!  Denise

Do I have to buy all new tack or can I use a western saddle on a gaited horse?  NO,  I use  the same saddles I had when I owned APHA and Arabs, but you will have to evaluate IF your saddle fits your new horse.

Is it common to neck rein or do most require direct reining? Depends on who trained the horse.  My young horses need direct rein, but it doesn't take too many miles of trails for the horses to learn to neck rein.

Not to stir up a hornet's nest but, what is your favorite gaited breed and why? That's just a personaly preference.  I happen to like Foxtrotters. A friend had several Tenn Walkers that died young ( 10-11 years old) Probably just bad luck on his part, but he is biased against that breed now,  so when I started looking he directed me away from them. Anything I suggest could be proved wrong by somebody else who has had different experience. So take the following with a grain of salt. It's my personal opinion and could be opposed by many on this forum.  I personally like a little bigger horse, So the Paso and Peruvians were out. I have two 15-0 hh and two 16 hh foxtrotters. While most Paso and Peruvians will be 14-15 hands in size.  I like a true diagonal horse vs a laterial or pacy horse. Another reason I stayed away from Walkers, Spotted Saddle Horses and Kentucky Mountain Horses. When I was looking, I was doing a lot of Competitive Trail Riding, So I wanted a durable horse that could go the distance.  In the Region that I competed in, about 50% of horses at those events were Arabs, About 30% were Foxtrotters, with all the other breeds combined making up the final 20%. So I got to see a lot of foxtrotters on the trail. And they preformed well.

A fellow that I got to know worked as a Forest Ranger, I came to find out that they use a lot of Foxtrotters for their back country rangers to ride. It's their favorite horse for trail work. That fellow even wrote a book about foxtrotter use in the Forest Service. ( google Green Underwear Book for more on this book)

And probably the final reason, There are a lot of Foxtrotters in the Utah and surrounding state.  By no means as many as Quarter horses. But I can look in the local paper, on the local TV stations Website classified ads and usually see a couple of Foxtrotters for sale at any given time. This makes them easier to buy. I don't have to get on a plane and fly to some far off state to look at a horse.

Do they require specialized trimming/shoes (I plan to do lots of trail riding, lots and lots)? I use the same farrier that I used when I had APHA horses. We trim them pretty much the same. Follow the angles & guidelines that nature gave each horse.  And no I don't use any special weighted shoes. I believe that gaited horses should gait naturally not with artificial enhancements.  My horses have been barefoot for the past 3 summers and gait just fine barefoot.

If there was one piece of advice in relation to searching for a first time buy of a gaited horse, what would it be?  Look for a horse with a good mind, a willing attitude, that has the bone and muscle to do the task you want.  Depending on what kind of horse trainer you are, look at how well they have been trained. Go ride a few different breeds, Get the feel for what their gaits are. Somebody my tell you they have a well broke Foxtrotter, but it may hard trot because it's been poorly trained or maybe it just doesn't have the conformation to truely gait.  Just because the papers say it's a gaited breed, doesn't mean it can gait. Just like saying a horse is a quarter horse doesn't make it a cutting horse.

There is a very good article in this month's Trail Rider magazine about that very thing,and the questions that you've asked.

We personally love our Missouri Foxtrotters.

We have encountered a lot of people that think that a gaited horse,particularly a "grade" gaited horse,is a "foxtrotter." It burns me up,because,this is a BREED that has the foxtrot as the hallmark gait.A grade gaited horse is no more a 'foxtrotter' than it is a walking horse,Saddlebred,Paso Fino,ect.It's just that, a grade gaited horse,whether it foxtrots or not.

Sorry for that "off topic" little digress,and it wasn't directed to the OP or anyone else.I had to get that out in the open! Just had to.

Good luck,and,you will not regret your choice for serious trail riding in comfort,and style! 

Denise, I'll share some of my first time experiences with you. I went from Arabs and Quarters to Foxtrotters two years ago. I rode Walkers, Rocky Mountain, and Kentucky Mountain horses and tested all these horses on trails. So, when buying a trail horse, test it out on a trail before buying.

I chose the MFTs because of the temperment and more horses to chose from in my area. I would love to have a Rocky, but their cost is a bit more in my area as they are harder to locate.

Do I have to buy all new tack or can I use a western saddle on a gaited horse? I had to buy a different saddle to free the shoulder up for proper movement and comfort for the horse.

Is it common to neck rein or do most require direct reining? Just because they are gaited does not mean they shouldn't have basic skills, afterall they are a horse and a seasoned trail horse should be able to:- neck rein, soft hand direct rein (give to bit pressure), move off leg queues, back straight, whoa with seat and/or slight rein pressure, and flex at the poll. Younger horses may not have all these skills set yet. They should also load very easy. Bathing and clipper trimming is a nice plus, can be taught fairly easily.

Not to stir up a hornet's nest but, what is your favorite gaited breed and why? I think as long as the movement is natural and comfortable for you, select the horse based on conformation, temperament and training.

Do they require specialized trimming/shoes (I plan to do lots of trail riding, lots and lots)? No special shoes/trim for MFTs, but I did have to alter the angle on one of my MFTs. This solved a pacing issue along with stumbling.

If there was one piece of advice in relation to searching for a first time buy of a gaited horse, what would it be? Try lots of horses and look for basic horse skills in addition to the gait. I had a hard time finding an older trail horse for my husband. There are lots of 2 and 3 year olds started, but not many seasoned gaited trail horses in my area. I also found most gaited horses only knew how to go forward and walk/running walk. This is what I call broke, but not trained. It seems most sellers were only interested in how fast the horse could gait.

I bought a broke 3-year-old that had some trail experience, but I am in training with her to teach the basics I mentioned above. Lots of work, but worth it to me. So keep the cost of additional training in mind when looking at young stock. If you don't have the time to work a young horse, I'd look for an older finished trail horse.

Join a gaited breed club too. Lots of info can be gleaned from others and you may even find a lead a few horse leads. Happy Horse Shopping and Keep us posted on what you find.

At last I have something (arguably) worthwhile to contribute!

I currently own a dbl reg Rockykentucky mtn mare, my daughter a Kentucky mountain mare; my husband's rocky we sold because he did not tolerate the south texas climate.  I use a Bates english saddle with adjustable gullet system on my mare because she is very round-withered.. Even tho she is only 14 hands, I use a mounting block when mounting to keep the saddle from sliding sideways. She is very comfortable to ride and sweet to be around.  As to a bit, I use a regular full cheek snaffle. When trail riding, I use a breast collar because of her round withers to keep the saddle from sliding when going up hillsides.  She has a fast saddle rack that is to die for.. My daughter's pony has a fast-stepping short strided saddle rack and a b-e-a-u-t-i-ful canter!  Part of Rockies sales pitch is that they are very sensible and have a "puppydog" personality.. Mind you, I LOVE MY HORSES, but I do not find their temperaments any appreciably different than my first pony, a welsh /arab?/shetland mutt.. My second horse, an appy colt that I bought as a yearling and trained, was my hands down best natured horse ever.. I was younger then and my entie life was wrapped up in my horse.. I could literally do ANYTHING with this gelding..He had a nice smooth jog that was very easy to sit..I've since then owned a few more QHs and appys before going to our Rockies..My mare, whom I've owned 7 years and whom love dearly, came to me with a lot of mental baggage and can be very silly.  It took 2 years before she settled enough to not spook at, say a grasshopper taking off in front of her nose, or perhaps her own dirt clod kicked from her hoof and landing on the ground in front of her... Now, she is a very tough little trail horse and as long as I keep my eyes open as to what is going on around me, we do fine..She has slowly learned to trust me, and life is much sweeter....My daughter's little Ky Mtn pony mare, although green broke, is very sensible and takes most things in stride.

I do not trim my gaited horses hooves any different than any other.. All horses need their feet balanced for their legs' health, and to leave a shorter heel, longer toe (or weighted toe, or whatever is popular now) for a better gait is putting their suspensory ligiaments and inner hoof structure at risk.  I keep my mare barefoot.. I was just talking to Painted horse about this yesterday.. My mare's feet are very tough and although I worry about tenderness or bruising on rough rocky areas, I've not yet been convinced that ..for me.. shoes are necessary.. The few times a year we get to do something fun, we don't see the sense in shoeing just for this occaision.. I am very mindful of my mare's hooves when riding the rough stuff and I have found no evidence of stone bruising thus far..

As far as direct vs neck reining.. I call myself riding with a direct rein, but later on down the trail find myself with both in one hand and the other hand propped on my leg.. I keep my fist in between the two reins so wtih a twist of my wrist I direct my horse.. That will come with time with you when you and your horse start to get it together.

As to type of gaited horse, find the HORSE that is right for you, no matter what breed.. A girl at our barn where I board has a mustang that she adopted as a colt.. He has the best Indian shuffle/jog ever..... I own, as I've said, Rockies who are both very comfortable, my mother-in-law has a nice smooth TWH mare that I hope to get after we sell my daughter's outgrown pony.. I would like to have a foxtrotter at some point in my life just to see... My point being.. There is no one breed better than the other if you find the RIGHT horse to fit you, your personality, riding style, and needs.

I've ridden quite a few different gaited breeds and have found it really depends on the horse and the training it's had. I think we all find we prefer a certain type of horse.  I like a bold forward moving horse that can ride alone or in groups, is well gaited, pleasant temperment, hardy, strong, and with good endurance. 

I have my 2nd TW though this one is also registered as a Spotted Saddle Horse and he's perfect for me. 

I agree about riding the horses you try out on the trail as that is critical.  I also recomend not buying one that has been shown as they tend to step too high, trip, etc on the trail, though there are always exceptions. 

Good luck in your quest and welcome to the gaited world. 

We have owned Quarter Horses for years, but decided to get a couple of gaited horses because a number of our friends ride MFT's and we wanted to be able to keep up without doing the walk/trot/walk or slowing them down.  We now own a 7 year old MFT gelding and 10 year old TWH.  I love them both, each in their own way.

The TWH is a bit high-headed...doesn't bother me, but my wife doesn't like it much.  The MFT gave me a bit of a fit at first, as he had never had a rear girth on, and when I put the Aussie saddle on him, we had a rodeo for a few minutes...after he desensitized to it, we rode out fine for several hours.

Do I have to buy all new tack or can I use a western saddle on a gaited horse?

We use both Western and Aussie tack on the gaited horses.  They seem to do well with either rig.  They were using a more severe bit than I prefer, so I stepped them both down to a full-cheek snaffle and after a bit of work, they accepted that bit fine.

Is it common to neck rein or do most require direct reining?

Some have said before...it depends on how they were trained, and I agree...I personally prefer the control I have with direct reining...but both we purchased were neck-reining when we bought them.

Not to stir up a hornet's nest but, what is your favorite gaited breed and why?

I like the TWH for his disposition and heart...he is willing, just enough spirit to keep me on my toes and really loves his job.

I like the MFT for his stamina...when I want to go for 5 hours, I saddle up Domino and go.  He's taken me on several solo night rides, which is very exhilarating.  He only gives me what I ask for, and nothing more.

Do they require specialized trimming/shoes (I plan to do lots of trail riding, lots and lots)?

First question we asked our farrier, and he said they need no special trim unless they are going to be shown in an arena...and he said he won't do that kind of a trim, as it's not a good deal for the horse.  We use the same farrier for our QH's and our Gaited horses.

If there was one piece of advice in relation to searching for a first time buy of a gaited horse, what would it be?

Ride it.  More than once.  Ride in the conditions you tend to ride in...mud, water, pasture, etc.  Get a money-back guarantee if you are dissatisfied for any reason, return the horse for a full refund.  Ask a lot of questions.  I wish I had asked why they had us remove our rear girths from our saddles when we rode Dommy and Jake...now I know why.  Dommy bucked like a bronc, and Jake wouldn't hold still for mounting.  The cliffs and terrain we ride requires a rear girth, snug...neither horse liked it much, but we were able to get them over the problem pretty quickly.

#1: I would steer clear of Brenda Imus equipment. Too many people that I know can tell you stories of d-rings pulling out for no reason; bits breaking; etc. 

#2: Lee Ziegler books. YES. Buy her book before you shop. She explains the differences in the various gaits that different horses do.

#3. New tack? Not necessarily. The most important piece is the saddle that has the proper flare to the tree in front to free up the shoulders; has sufficient gullet room for the neck/head nod; and is short enough on the back of the horse to not interfere with the hips. "Gaited" saddles will have rounded skirts at the back - almost like some barrel-racing saddles.

There is absolutely no way that my Crates reining western saddle fits on either of the 14.2 gaited horses I have. It is simply too long for their backs. I bought a Fabtron endurance - upper portion all leather, skirts and fenders cordura. Excellent fit on my MFT and the Mountain Pleasure Horse.

Gaited horses have more extension from the shoulder and hip.

I have a QH. I chose the MFT for many of the same reasons others have said. They are more adaptable to other activities (cow work) then some of the other gaited breeds and their gait is NOT the lateral,sometimes pacey gait of TWH or Spotted Saddle Horses (a TWH with color).

Shoes. If the horse needs them based on the terrain traveled. Have the farrier trim to the horse's needs. Some slight modifications can be done if you find your horse to be pacey and you need it more "trotty"... your instructor/trainer can help there.

PLEASE take a horse knowledgeable person with you. Ride the horse and if it feels smooth and you like it, buy it. If it's not smooth pass it by. Don't let the seller convince you that with training it can be fixed. You want one that is already trained and knows it's business.  I took a trainer with me to look at 2 MFT horses for sale. Neither one could do a fox trot. They had been raised and trained by non-gaited and did a hard trot and canter. : (  

Young gaited horses need time to establish their muscle memory. They can gait like crazy when free, but need to learn to balance a rider AND do their gait at the speed you choose.

Do I have to buy all new tack or can I use a western saddle on a gaited horse?

We use both Western and Aussie tack on the gaited horses.  They seem to do well with either rig.  They were using a more severe bit than I prefer, so I stepped them both down to a full-cheek snaffle and after a bit of work, they accepted that bit fine.

Is it common to neck rein or do most require direct reining?

Some have said before...it depends on how they were trained, and I agree...I personally prefer the control I have with direct reining...but both we purchased were neck-reining when we bought them.

Not to stir up a hornet's nest but, what is your favorite gaited breed and why?

I like the TWH for his disposition and heart...he is willing, just enough spirit to keep me on my toes and really loves his job.

I like the MFT for his stamina...when I want to go for 5 hours, I saddle up Domino and go.  He's taken me on several solo night rides, which is very exhilarating.  He only gives me what I ask for, and nothing more.

Do they require specialized trimming/shoes (I plan to do lots of trail riding, lots and lots)?

First question we asked our farrier, and he said they need no special trim unless they are going to be shown in an arena...and he said he won't do that kind of a trim, as it's not a good deal for the horse.  We use the same farrier for our QH's and our Gaited horses.

If there was one piece of advice in relation to searching for a first time buy of a gaited horse, what would it be?

Ride it.  More than once.  Ride in the conditions you tend to ride in...mud, water, pasture, etc.  Get a money-back guarantee if you are dissatisfied for any reason, return the horse for a full refund.  Ask a lot of questions.  I wish I had asked why they had us remove our rear girths from our saddles when we rode Dommy and Jake...now I know why.  Dommy bucked like a bronc, and Jake wouldn't hold still for mounting.  The cliffs and terrain we ride requires a rear girth, snug...neither horse liked it much, but we were able to get them over the problem pretty quickly.

LOL...That explains his MONSTROUS head, and I was taught by an experienced TWH trainer (Reserve Grand Champion no less) to "handshake" the head bob and you'll keep him in gait.

I do love riding the TWH when he's gaited up in the run/walk and smooth as silk.

We call that "getting in their mouth" a little bit to hold them in a particular gait.I've noticed our MFT's nodding side to side,in the old style.We have to "hold them " in gait a little to get the up and down head bob.

If they're not shaking,they're not "baking"!

BTW the Tennesean saddles are built on the Steele Equi-fit tree. Same tree that Crates uses in their all-purpose, reining, trail, and gaited saddles.

The Tennesean gets good reviews from folks I know.  I went with the Fabtron for multiple reasons; one being I was working for a gal that sold Fabtron and got it at a steep discount. 

I hope the best for Big Horn taking on the project. BI has been through several other companies.

Her bits are a knock off though. Copied from Robart which are patented. Robart brand don't break and are less expensive and MADE IN USA. (Where's that Flag-waving emoticon when I need it?!!)

Schneider's tack (sstack.com) sells the Robart bit - under $40. 

Thanks to all who offered this list of great advice.  I'm lining up some horses to try this weekend and next.  Now I just need to sell Appy and I'll really be in business!  I'll keep you posted.

Denise

Not all gaited horses will "gait".

A naturally five gaited horse is most often a Saddlebred.TWH are known for the running walk,and can rack.

A foxtrotter can foxtrot,some can running walk,and some can rack also.We have 2 of those that can do that.But,I take exception with the statement that "all gaited horses will gait." Some won't.I've seen  some of those,too,with good papers,that never could hit a lick.

Very true.  Don't buy a gaited horse just because it has a "good set of papers" and the sire and dam have a smooth gait.  Like the others have said, ride it ride it ride it.  You may find one that has a great smooth gait at a slow speed only to find when you try to go faster the hores paces or even trots. 

And don't over look grade horses.  What good is a set of papers on a gelding or a horse you don't intend to breed?  I understand knowing the background of a horse can be beneficial in learning what you have in a horse but what better way than just to ride it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

JacciB

Well sometimes you just get lucky. Yes, she is 5 gaited. The guy who trained her tried to buy her on the spot.  Too bad her Damn coliced and was put down. She can flat out hit a lick. No chains, shoes, nothing. She has it naturally. I wouldn't sell her for nothing. My other ones will gait, Not like this one.