Posted 2007-08-07 1:07 PM (#65328) Subject: First TWH
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Well I bought me a twh this past weekend. I've been riding QH's all my life. So anyone have any advice on what I should expect or how to convert my riding style etc. He's the biggest I've ever owned at 15.3. I stand beside him and look up at his wither and say to myself I had to go buy a tall one. I'm use to 15h & under...But I can't wait to go riding.Just to dang hot now. 100 today
Posted 2007-08-08 4:50 AM (#65379 - in reply to #65336) Subject: RE: First TWH
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I go thim over in Centreville on the eastern shore just over the bay bridge. He's a 7yro, he seems sensible, A little under weight for his size.
970 @ 15.3h So I'm working on that. I haven't had a chance to get on him since the day I got him. Just too dang hot. But i can't wait to take him out. I have a few friends that ride gaited and one of them has 2 twh so I'm sure I'll get some pointers from him....Thanks!!!!
Posted 2007-08-08 7:04 AM (#65383 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Enjoy the ride!!! I joined the gaited club 3 years ago though I do still enjoy riding a trotting horse. Be sure to learn the correct way to keep your horse gaiting as so many people ride them like they are Quarter horses and they end up pacing which ruins the ride.
I'm still learning, but they tend to need more contact with the bit, more leg to keep them rounded, and moving forward with their hind end.
If your's has a good dog walk on him, you will be amazed at the ground you can cover without even gaiting. Have fun!
Posted 2007-08-08 7:48 AM (#65385 - in reply to #65383) Subject: RE: First TWH
Expert
Posts: 2614
That's right.They do need the bit contact and to work off the rearend with more propulsion from there instead of the front.Walking horses that have been padded or have been shod in plantation shoes tend to be concentrated with their power from the front and can have weak hindquarters as a result of being shod thus.
Gaited horses can have tendencies to pace,especially walking horses,thus,reason to keep them steady in the gait they are known for,a running walk.
Posted 2007-08-08 8:58 AM (#65389 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
Keep in mind that a TWH tends to have higher withers than a QH. If your saddle does not fit him properly in the withers his movement may become restricted and not allow for as smooth a gait as he may have. It really is worth the money to buy a saddle with a tree made for high withered horses.
Posted 2007-08-08 10:39 AM (#65401 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Romulus, Michigan
Congratulations on your first TWH and the best ride of your life. Remember, you DO have to ride a gaited horse with more rein contact than a QH. There are plenty of us out here to help you with any questions you have. Make sure you start out with a slow, push/pull walk (called a "dog" walk) and work your speed up from there. The most important thing to remember "if he ain't shaking, he ain't walkin'". Your butt should be moving back and forth in the saddle, NOT side to side or up and down. Have fun!
Posted 2007-08-08 11:16 AM (#65411 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by mingiz on 2007-08-07 1:07 PM
Well I bought me a twh this past weekend.
WOW...enjoy the glide!! My old TWH gelding Banjo lived to be 39 yrs old. Loved him lots and I still miss him. Banjo did the runnning walk. Wizard, my other TWH died about a year ago, and he was my "once-in-lifetime" horse. He stole my heart! Wizard had the most awesome rack...man oh man, loved that gait.
I went from TWHs to Icelandics. Does your walker, "walk" or "rack"?
There are some great Yahoo Groups lists that you may want to join. You can join my list it's called Natural TWH, it's a list for sound gaited horses, all breeds. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/naturaltwh/
Posted 2007-08-08 10:38 PM (#65462 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Regular
Posts: 66 Location: Maryland
Congratulations on your new walker !!!! That's great. I'm sure you'll just love him. www.nationalbridleshop.com has all items for twh. You will find english cut back saddles to fit their withers and also western saddles fit for walkers. There are 2 clubs in maryland, one is Plantation walking horses of Md. and Chesapeake plantation walking horses. Both have shows and trail rides, plus clinics. They both have websites. I have had walking horses for 16 yrs now and love the breed. If you have any questions you can leave me a private message, if I can't help you I can direct to someone that can. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your walker as much as I do mine !!!!
Posted 2007-08-14 2:39 PM (#65832 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Member
Posts: 24
Location: Waverly TN
A good gaited horse is a dream indeed! I have a naturally gaited TWH that is just great. Howver, I have to express concern. Did I get it right that you didn't ride him before you bought him? Just because he is gaited doesn't mean that he will be perfect. I will keep my finger crossed for you, but a horse is a horse is a horse and should be viewed the same....check for soundness, ride for control and smoothness, etc.
Posted 2007-08-15 5:51 AM (#65868 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Yes I did ride him before I bought him. I consider myself a seasoned rider. I have ridden a few gaited horses but never have owned one.I've aleays had QH's. I did get to take him out this past Sunday on a 3hr ride and I must say I'm impressed with the ride and the horse. He does a running walk and I guess I was doing ok with him. Atleast that's what my gaited rider friends said.lol. I think once I get the feel of the gaits and get to know him better we will have a lifetime of trail riding ahead of us...Thank You All for your advice and opinions...Happy Trails!!!!
Posted 2007-08-25 10:24 PM (#66467 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Regular
Posts: 66 Location: Maryland
So how are you doing with your TWH ? I hope your enjoying him !! Have you checked out the websites on TWH's? I hope they have helped you. If you have any questions, let me know. If I can't help you, I may know someone that can.
Posted 2007-09-03 6:51 PM (#67087 - in reply to #65328) Subject: RE: First TWH
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Hey
Well my first 2 rides on him was good. He does get excited in groups. But controlable.He does tend to come up in the front some when being asked to stand in chaos. So far so good I had to put some weight on him so he's getting there. The saddle I bought with him was great. But then found out wife gave me wrong saddle. Saddle that he brought me is nice but doesn't fit him well and gave him and me a terrible ride.Plus he was fighting the bit a bit. So I know I need to get him and me a better saddle. But over all he has done good for me. He's a little jittery but has never made any bad moves yet..Has an ear issue but is alot better with that. Just haven't gotten the clippers there yet. But overall I'm happy with him. Just needs some more TLC and he'll be a fine trial horse. Just have to get that parking out down. He's tall...Stretches me to my linit to get up...LOL
First TWH
Congratulations on your first TWH and the best ride of your life. Remember, you DO have to ride a gaited horse with more rein contact than a QH. There are plenty of us out here to help you with any questions you have. Make sure you start out with a slow, push/pull walk (called a "dog" walk) and work your speed up from there. The most important thing to remember "if he ain't shaking, he ain't walkin'". Your butt should be moving back and forth in the saddle, NOT side to side or up and down. Have fun!
