Posted 2007-05-28 10:08 PM (#61364) Subject: New to Gaited!
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
Hello all!! Just was curious as to how many of you ride gaited horses/mules? I have just purchased my first gaited horse. She is a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse. I bought her in foal to an APHA stud hopefully for a gaited Spotted Mountain Saddle Horse!! keep your fingers crossed!
So, my questions is, do you ride gaited or stock?? And if gaited, why??
Posted 2007-05-28 10:14 PM (#61365 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
We switched from riding a QH to a TN Walker due to the areas we were riding. Most of the trail heads were a considerable distance from our camp and we needed to cover more ground in a day. I enjoy the slow pace of the QH, but you can get over alot more ground and see more on the gaited horses.
Posted 2007-05-28 10:43 PM (#61369 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
I ride Endurance with an Arab, but my riding partner rides a gaited horse. He's a Missouri Fox Trotter and boy is he fast :) My little Arab has to trot out and even canter to keep up with that gaited horse. I see lots of gaited horses at the rides, and they look so smooth. Nobody on a gaited horse spends time posting a trot or bouncing along the trail like the non-gaited riders do. I love my little Arab but those gaited horses sure look tempting!
Posted 2007-05-29 7:19 AM (#61377 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
LIFE'S TOO SHORT TO TROT!!!
I spent a lot of years posting a trot while my buddies glided along smoothly. For trail riding, a gaited horse is the only way to go (IMO). But just because a horse CAN gait doesn't mean you have to fly down the trails. We like to "mosey" along and look at the scenery. We often ride with QH folks who have no trouble keeping up with us. When we come to a nice strech of trail and want to turn them loose, the QHs lope along with us and everyone is happy.
Posted 2007-05-29 7:29 AM (#61378 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
I rode trotting horses for years but my riding buddies gradually got gaited horses and I got tired of having to trot and post all the time. I got a TW and now they have to eat my dust! He's got a really fast "dog walk" - which is the regular walk and the only horse in my group that can keep up with him is his dam when he's leading the group.
I've found as I've gotten older it's easier on the bod and we cover alot more miles than the majority of the trotting horses, even just walking. I still do like the looks of a nicely muscled QH or TB and do ride them sometimes as I don't want to forget how to ride a trotting horse. But I do enjoy my smooth walking boy.
Posted 2007-05-29 8:39 AM (#61383 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've still got one National Show Horse and I enjoy riding him and he serves the need for speed in my daughters. But the rest of my herd has evolved into Foxtrotters. I trail ride. We don't herd cows, we don't run barrels or hang out at fairgrounds. We ride Forest Service trails in the mountains. I haul deer and elk out int he fall and go fishing in remote lakes all summer. The foxtrotters work great for that
Posted 2007-05-29 8:40 AM (#61384 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Expert
Posts: 2960 Location: North Carolina
I ride gaited... three reasons
Smooth ride, easy on my back & hips
Speed on the trails. Gaited horses can jump too. logs across trails are fun, not a bother to pick around.
Horse Training challenge... There is a certain speed that a gaited horse is best at. Holding him at that speed and building up for different gaits is fun for me.
Posted 2007-05-29 12:22 PM (#61396 - in reply to #61385) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Le Claire IA
I have 5 Tennessee Walking Horses, Grey and Black. I trail ride and show pleasure Walking horses and do a little training. If I had to give them up and trot again I think I would quit riding. For me once I got started it was like an obcession. Not one gaits the same or works the same so you can never get bored.
Posted 2007-05-29 2:16 PM (#61403 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
That is awesome!! I'm excited to see so different reasons for your decision on gaited or not... I can't wait to start riding my girl.... is there anyone within driving distance from Toledo, Ohio that rides gaited horses? I would love to get some tips and maybe do some trail riding with someone with gaited knowledge!! Thanks again gang!!!
Posted 2007-05-29 3:08 PM (#61405 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Congratulations on your new smooth ride! I ride the best of both worlds...an Icelandic Horse.I grew up riding QH's, then made the mistake of riding a TWH who had the most awesome rack. It was love at first gait. About 10 years ago, I saw the Icelandic Horse demo at MN Horse Expo and I said to myself if I ever had to replace Wizard, my once-in-a-lifetime horse...that I would get an IcePony.In 2003 I retired Wizard due to complications with a adverse reaction to a strangles vaccination.That is when I bought my IcePony.Huginn is the best of both worlds, because he trots and tolts! I can ride with my non-gaited friends as well as my gaited friends. Why do I ride a gaited horse? Because I love to fly down the trail on a smooth horse!
Posted 2007-05-29 6:59 PM (#61421 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: MS
I ride Paso Finos. Have since 1965! Also have had various trotting breeds...still have an APHA mare (which I won't ride!)...and other gaited breeds. My heart is the Paso. Not having very good luck with them lately...every one I have is lame now so I am totally out of riding horses!
Posted 2007-05-30 11:52 AM (#61477 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Regular
Posts: 66 Location: Maryland
Congratulations !!!!! on your new gaited horse. Their wonderful horses. I have 4 TWH and have been riding them for 12 years now. I trail ride and also show. I find on the trails they are very laid back, don't spook as easily and can go all day. I have trail rode with QH and TB and have seen while my horse is doing a running walk, they are trotting and trying to keep up. At the shows everyone is very nice and helpful. I wish you many hours of enjoyment with you mare. You will love her !!!!! Keep us posted on your adventures.
Posted 2007-05-30 4:16 PM (#61499 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
Why Rumba when you can Foxtrot?
Congrats on your new KMH! My husband and I purchased two 3-year-old MO Foxtrotters last years after riding 20+ years on Arabs and QHs. I had to switch due to a lower back injury. My Doc said I should give up riding.... Well, We just rode 56 miles this past weekend at Big Creek Trail rides in MO which has extreme hills. No back pain and covered a lot of ground. My back actually feels better after riding! You'll be surprised at how much area you can cover in a short amount of time. Goodluck with your new mare and foal.
Posted 2007-05-30 8:26 PM (#61519 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Member
Posts: 21
Location: corydon, in
Congrats on your new ride!!!!!!!! I'm sure you will enjoy the nice ride you will be getting now. We got 6 MFT's and love them all. I rode just grade horses and QH's in my younger day and enjoy the smooth ride of the Foxtrotters now!!!
Posted 2007-06-02 8:54 PM (#61687 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Good luck on your "new baby"...it's soooo exciting! ........amazing how the mare just knows what to do..... I am seriously going to look at the KMH and thanks for your response to my post. Not only do I enjoy the"glide ride" but from everyone's account, they are such great trail horses...temperament, level-head, etc. I 've ridden quite a few gaited horses and now it's time to have one for my very own.......happy trails!!!
Posted 2007-06-03 6:37 PM (#61729 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Regular
Posts: 94 Location: Minnesota
I've had my FoxTrotter for 3 years now. He trots, foxtrots, and does a saddle rack. I had an Appaloosa for 17 years, then when he retired I came across the gaited horse and was impressed. Now I'm hooked.
I ride mounted patrol and trail ride. Mostly with other stock breed riders.
Posted 2007-06-19 10:14 PM (#62515 - in reply to #61364) Subject: RE: New to Gaited!
Veteran
Posts: 207 Location: Illinois
This post comes along at a perfect time for me. I returned from vacation last week, and now find myself seriously thinking of selling my wonderful 5 year old QH and buying a Fox Trotter. I saw many of them while on vacation (Shawnee/Illinois), and I think this would be a great horse for me.
After seeing so many great horses last week, the Fox Trotter really impressed me with his size, stamina, temperment and beauty.
Good luck with your new horse, I look forward to my search and new trail riding partner.
New to Gaited!
I grew up riding QH's, then made the mistake of riding a TWH who had the most awesome rack. It was love at first gait. About 10 years ago, I saw the Icelandic Horse demo at MN Horse Expo and I said to myself if I ever had to replace Wizard, my once-in-a-lifetime horse...that I would get an IcePony.In 2003 I retired Wizard due to complications with a adverse reaction to a strangles vaccination.That is when I bought my IcePony.Huginn is the best of both worlds, because he trots and tolts! I can ride with my non-gaited friends as well as my gaited friends. Why do I ride a gaited horse? Because I love to fly down the trail on a smooth horse!
