Gaits

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, ride trails or rails, effective speed transitions are an essential part of your horsemanship. Controlled, smooth changes of gait make for a more enjoyable ride for you and your horse—less bouncing around, fumbled cues, and confusion for your horse. And they net you a better score if you compete. Here I’ll explain how one of my young riders works on her transitions to eventually make them effortless and almost invisible.

Understanding a horse's gait may not be as simple as you think. Our author discusses various gaits horse's employ, how to understand them and how to train your horse to use his natural gait on cue.