I still don't know what to expect when I get on my new gaited mare. For those who don't know, a few weeks ago I bought my first gaited horse, after a lifetime of riding those "trotters" (and I still have three Morgans in my barn so I am not giving up trotting)
But to keep up with the Jones, who are "gaiting out" down the trail and look like they could be holding a glass of wine (beer?) without spilling a drop.... well, I thought I'd give it a try. I mean the gaiting, not the wine.
So Callie and I rode in Mt. Sterling last weekend on an 800 acre farm belonging to friend Edith. Callie was totally nervous for the first 10 minutes, showing me some side passes and complicated dressage moves I didn't know she had. HA! As nervous as she was, she was happier out front than in back. "DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND" was what her body language was saying. The other horses pretty much ignored her.
The first challenge was a creek crossing. I found out on ride #1 that she doesn't like crossing running water (puddles are OK). This creek crossing required a drop down a small bank and into the water. Her brakes went on. Edith came back (on her trusty mule) and Callie followed his butt down the bank and across the water.
Next, I learned lesson #1 about gaiting. It's smooth for a while then gets bumpy. I understand these gaited horses have a sweet spot where they are smooth as silk, but just as quickly they can fall into a rough spot, if they are going too fast, or if you don't have enough handle on their mouth. It's a touch you have to learn - hold back while putting on the leg.
Callie didn't need much leg on this ride. She was out ahead, gaiting when I'd let her, and seemed to be looking for something ahead. Was she just trying to find the way back ot the trailer, so the old lady could get off her back? Or was she just curious about what was over the next hill?
We had about four creek crossings on that ride, and the good news is that by the end of the ride, she was just a bit hesitant but not resisting badly. A little encouragement and she was stepping into the water like a pro. My pasture at home has a big creek in it (REALLY BIG with the rain we just had..) so Callie will get lots of chances to get her feet wet.
It was a gorgeous day, we watched two herds of deer bound away across the fields, a gaggle of wild turkeys, a few squirrels, and birds swooping overhead. Sun overhead, wildlife around, good friends and their horses... and my new gaited mare. What could be better?
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I have had both gaited and non-gaited horses in my time. It is a big difference especially when you switch from one to the other in the same riding afternoon. I do find the gaited horses a boon when out hacking on a trail, but I also know that if the gaited horse has been trained to just plain not canter it hard to do jousting from them. Best of luck and keep us informed.
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