| Very few people know this (they will now, I guess), but | | | | the suspension of a car. The more suspension, the |
| when I first started riding horses, I was taught saddle | | | | smoother the ride (and the gait). |
| seat. This is a very common form of horseback riding | | | | What Equipment Do You Use? |
| in certain states, including Kentucky and Oklahoma. It | | | | The second thing you should consider when trying to |
| was the only barn in Edmond, OK, at the time, so I | | | | create a smoother gait on horseback is the equipment |
| wasn't exposed to other types of riding. | | | | you use with your horse. A poorly-fitting saddle will |
| What you might not know about saddle seat is that | | | | automatically result in a rough gait, and the reverse is |
| the most common breeds for the sport are | | | | true. Your horse's saddle should not pinch his withers |
| Tennessee Walkers, National Show Horses, American | | | | and should provide sufficient room for his back to |
| Saddlebreds, racking horses and others like them. The | | | | elevate. |
| one distinguishing characteristic of all these breeds of | | | | Consider the last time you were forced to wear an |
| horses is their smooth, effortless gaits. Riding these | | | | uncomfortable garment, such as a pair of pants that |
| horses is like sitting on a rocking chair, and it was quite | | | | are no longer big enough. How did you feel? And how |
| a shock when I switched to warmbloods, | | | | did your body respond? Whenever I try to fit in a pair |
| thoroughbreds and quarter horses for three-day | | | | of my "skinny jeans", for example, I always feel tense |
| eventing. | | | | through the midsection and I often move haltingly and |
| Most horses do not come with super-smooth gaits. | | | | with little grace. |
| They are rough, difficult to sit, and some are downright | | | | The same thing happens to your horse. If any of his |
| uncomfortable. So how can you create a smoother | | | | equipment doesn't fit right or if he's uncomfortable, he |
| gait on horseback? | | | | will instinctively ball up to try to evade the discomfort. |
| Many equine professionals say that it is impossible to | | | | Your job is to fit him with proper equipment so he isn't |
| create a smoother gait on horseback, but my | | | | in pain. |
| experience says otherwise. A horse's gait is influenced | | | | Also, the saddle should be comfortable for you: the |
| by several factors, many of which can be manipulated | | | | rider. Consider investing in a saddle that fits your body |
| by the rider to create a more pleasant experience. | | | | and that provides enough padding for you to feel |
| Are You Over-Horsed? | | | | comfortable on your horse's back. |
| Some horses simply aren't compatible with beginning | | | | Is Your Horse Stiff? |
| riders. When I first started teaching, I put one of my | | | | We're back to pain. I know, you've heard quite enough, |
| beginner students on a school horse who had the | | | | but 98 percent of the problems people experience |
| bounciest trot known to man. The rider was fine at the | | | | with their horses are the result of discomfort. If your |
| walk, but as soon as she asked the horse to trot, she | | | | horse is in any pain, it will show in his gait. |
| was bounced right out of the saddle. | | | | If you want to create a smoother gait on horseback, |
| It is possible to create a smoother gait on horseback, | | | | make sure your horse isn't stiff or uncomfortable. You |
| but a beginner lacks the requisite strength and control | | | | can try stretching him before you mount or observing |
| to accomplish the task. Consequently, it is essential for | | | | longer warm-ups. If you think the pain might be severe, |
| a beginner to ride a horse that won't jar or bounce her | | | | call your veterinarian and make an appointment. There |
| too much. Putting a rider on a horse she can't control is | | | | is no excuse for allowing a horse to remain in pain, and |
| called being "over-horsed", and it should be considered | | | | the discomfort will cause a rough gait. |
| negligence on the part of the trainer or instructor. | | | | Are You Sitting Correctly? |
| How Does the Horse Move? | | | | Let's go back to Horsemanship 101: How to sit in the |
| Try a little experiment for me. Stand up and run across | | | | saddle. You'd be surprised how many riders develop |
| the room, first with your back arched and your chin in | | | | bad habits over the years, habits that go unnoticed but |
| the air. Pay attention to how your legs move in this | | | | are nonetheless detrimental to your horse's gait. |
| position as you run. Next, run across the same room, | | | | Sit deep in the saddle, hips relaxed and flexible, hands |
| this time with your eyes forward and your shoulders | | | | soft, eyes forward. Drop your weight into your heels |
| square. Do you notice a difference? Was your gait | | | | and let your hips absorb the motion of the horse. |
| smoother the second time than the first? | | | | Square your shoulders but keep them loose and |
| Horses are no different from humans. The way in | | | | flexible, with your thumbs turned up on the reins and |
| which a horse moves will directly impact the | | | | your elbows at your sides. |
| smoothness of his gait. When a horse is round and | | | | The more you practice the sitting trot, for example, the |
| flexed at the poll, tight through the barrel with his back | | | | easier it will become to create a smoother gait on |
| lifted, he will automatically have a smoother gait. If, | | | | horseback. Try dropping your stirrups so you can |
| however, he's above the bit with his back arched, his | | | | more easily sink into the saddle, then take your stirrups |
| gait will be much rougher. | | | | back only when you feel comfortable. |
| When you're working your horse, create a smoother | | | | Get Another Perspective |
| gait by asking your horse to come round. Build up his | | | | My final piece of advice to you is to have someone |
| top line so he has the strength and balance to move | | | | else ride your horse. A rough gait can be difficult to |
| correctly, then ask him to stretch forward from the | | | | diagnose, and a friend or trainer might be able to give |
| hind end, using his back legs to propel him forward. | | | | you another perspective. You can also watch |
| Similarly, the strength of the back has a great deal to | | | | someone else ride your horse to see the way he |
| do with the smoothness of a horse's gait. When the | | | | moves and carries himself. That might lend you some |
| back is lifted and used correctly, it creates a flat plane | | | | insight on the matter and give you a few ideas for |
| for the saddle. It helps some riders to think of this like | | | | creating a smoother gait. |