I've ridden Qtr. horses for the most part and have some good ones on the farm, but I do believe it's time to switch to those "round wheel" horses...you know...gaits of gold! All of my riding buddies ride gaited and I really enjoy my friends racking horse.Looking at the Kentucky Mtn. Horse...I've had a knee replacement and need a break! Info on the Ken. Mtn. horse??
Posted 2007-06-01 10:50 PM (#61643 - in reply to #61635) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
Well, I just got myself a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse about a month ago... Her personality is wonderful! She is in foal right now, so I haven't been able to ride her yet, but I have heard nothing but good about the gait!! She should be foaling any day now... so I will be able to ride around july or august.... if all things go well of course! Can't wait!!!
Posted 2007-06-01 11:12 PM (#61645 - in reply to #61644) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I watched some videos of the Icelandic horses tolting (is that right?) and it didn't look very comfortable. Is it a smooth ride and do you HAVE to keep the reins so tight? It just didn't look very..... relaxing or enjoyable. I was looking at them because, like me, they are short.
Posted 2007-06-01 11:31 PM (#61647 - in reply to #61635) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I suggest you look at what ever breed of gaited horse is available locally. It's no fun to drive 1500 miles to pick up a horse because nobody sells that breed near you.
If KMH are plentiful and available near you, Then I'd look at them. If Foxtrotter are more plentiful, Then I'd look at them. Same for any of the gaited breeds.
A breed that is more prevelant will give you a better selection to choose from. Probably be cheaper to buy and you will have more folks family with the breed nearby to help if you need training help.
I personlly have no experience with KMH so I won't speak to their qualities.
Posted 2007-06-02 10:11 AM (#61667 - in reply to #61635) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
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Posts: 81
"A breed that is more prevelant will give you a better selection to choose from. Probably be cheaper to buy and you will have more folks family with the breed nearby to help if you need training help."
Ditto that and it's why I went to Tennessee Walkers 17 years ago. Even though the Morgan horses had a big fan base where I am from, there were not any gaited Morgans available.
So, also don't forget about the gaited Morgans. Their primary gait is the singlefoot, which means there is a point where three of their hooves are off the ground at one time
Another key factor is to please remember that two horses in the same breed can perform the same intermediate gait and feel completely different
I have two Tennessee Walkers that do the true 4-beat running walk. One is 16H, leggy and very athletic built. The other is around 15.1, very stout and short-coupled.
Unless one is paying strict attention to their footfall when they do the running walk, one would swear the Fat Guy isn't doing the running walk because his motion just doesn't feel the same as the Big Guy.
There is no wrong answer for whatever breed you settle on. Just find one whose intermediate gait motion is comfortable for you and that your personalities are compatible; and hopefully is in abundance in your area as the previous posted suggested
Posted 2007-06-02 11:53 AM (#61677 - in reply to #61635) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Member
Posts: 35 Location: Milton, FL
I have 2 Rocky Mtn Horses and I just love them. The gaits are different on them but both enjoyable and comfy and you can't beat their temperaments. However the gelding is much sillier than the mare. You can't go wrong with mountain horses however the previous post about prices is right on. There are tons of wonderful TWH and Foxtrotters out there along with all the others. Happy hunting!
Posted 2007-06-02 7:53 PM (#61684 - in reply to #61635) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
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Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions.........actually, there is a KMH breeder and trainer quite close to me....I will be contacting them. I went to a symposium on the Carolina Marsh Tacky horse, as they are on the critical list. They are indigenous to the barrier islands of South Carolina, coming over with the Spanish about 500 years ago. What a wonderful horse!! Anyone heard of them or have one?
Posted 2007-06-02 7:55 PM (#61685 - in reply to #61645) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by Terri on 2007-06-01 11:12 PM
I watched some videos of the Icelandic horses tolting (is that right?) and it didn't look very comfortable. Is it a smooth ride and do you HAVE to keep the reins so tight? It just didn't look very..... relaxing or enjoyable. I was looking at them because, like me, they are short.
Really...not comfy looking. You may have been seeing a "pace"? The tolt is the same gait as a rack, which is very smooth. No...you did need to hold a tight rein. Some folks just like to ride that way, you see it in all breeds.
Posted 2007-06-02 9:10 PM (#61689 - in reply to #61685) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
My friend's horse racks........love it!There is a good article in this month's Trail Rider magazine about the majority of the breeds.....good one about your Icelandic!
Posted 2007-06-02 9:18 PM (#61690 - in reply to #61689) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by galsgottaride on 2007-06-02 9:10 PM
My friend's horse racks........love it!There is a good article in this month's Trail Rider magazine about the majority of the breeds.....good one about your Icelandic!
HA!! Did you see our photo in the January issue of Trail Rider?
Posted 2007-06-02 9:50 PM (#61692 - in reply to #61691) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by galsgottaride on 2007-06-02 9:45 PM
I pulled it back out to look.......how about that!!! You go girl!!How did you get in TR? I really enjoy the magazine.
Ah..shucks! For the last three years, I have been the High Point Rider for the US Icelandic Horse Congress (USIHC). When TR was looking for Icelandic Horse owners who trail rode, the USIHC recommended that they interview me. Honey (the writer) got a few things wrong...but most of it was what I said. HAHA!The photo was takend last fall at Maplewood State Park in MN. Ain't my pony cute???
Posted 2007-06-03 6:25 AM (#61705 - in reply to #61635) Subject: RE: Going Gaited (again)
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Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
I like HORSES in general and see the quality in many breeds BUT the KMH's I've come across have been medicore at best.Been to some big sales and I wouldn't pay a fraction of the asking price on most I've come across.Thought it was just me and heard same commments from MANY older breeders/horse folks.I'll get flamed for this but I'd stick with a SSHBEA or TWH type long before I'd fall for the hype of these many NEW Kentucky breeds that are on the scene.At least make sure its put togather correctly and look long and hard .Some look and gait like Paso and pony(color) crosses.
Going Gaited (again)
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No...you did need to hold a tight rein. Some folks just like to ride that way, you see it in all breeds. 
For the last three years, I have been the High Point Rider for the US Icelandic Horse Congress (USIHC). When TR was looking for Icelandic Horse owners who trail rode, the USIHC recommended that they interview me. Honey (the writer) got a few things wrong...but most of it was what I said. HAHA!The photo was takend last fall at Maplewood State Park in MN. Ain't my pony cute??? 
