The Gaited Horse Magazine
This defunct international magazine once had a large following of horse lovers all over the world. The magazine was based in the small town of Elk, Washington, and eventually moved to Deer Park. In the last decade or so, however, the publication has disappeared. But what was it like to read a monthly edition? Here’s a look at some of the key features of a Gaited Horse. This is an overview of the many topics covered in the magazine.
Natural gaits
Although all breeds of horses can move in gaits, not all are born with smooth, four-beat gaits. In fact, there are only a handful of horse breeds that can perform all four gaits naturally. Icelandics, Tennessee Walking Horses, and Missouri Foxtrotters are examples of gaited horses. Icelandic horses have five natural gaits: walk, trot, canter, and gallop.
Two-beat trot, lop, and canter are the basic gaits of horses. The two-beat trot moves at an average speed of 8.1 to 12 mph. The three-beat lope moves at a rate of between 19 and 24 kilometers per hour (15 to 15 mph). And, last but not least, the four-beat gallop averages 40 to 48 kph.
Running walk is an even four-beat lateral gait. It follows the same footfall sequence as the regular walk, but has a higher speed and smoothness. The hind foot oversteps the front track by six to eight inches. In general, the more strides, the faster the walker. The running walk is the natural gait of the Tennessee Walking horse. You will be able to see it in action in several shows.
A horse’s gait depends on its conformation. Some horses are naturally more upright and steep-shouldered while others are flat-shouldered. Another factor that affects a horse’s gait is its premature codon stop in the DMRT3 gene. A horse with this gene can perform alternate movements, but the opposite is true of those without it. There are three main types of gaits: walk, trot, and pace.
Varieties
The Tennessee Walking Horse and Paso Fino are two varieties of the gaited horse. These two varieties share similar traits. Both are pinto in color and naturally gaited. They are sturdy mounts with an ambling gait. Paso Finos are most commonly found in Colombia and Puerto Rico, where they are prized for their temperament and ambling gait. These horses can be found in solid colors such as bay, black, bay, brown, and even white.
Today, the gaited horse is a popular breed with a variety of characteristics. Its smooth gait has made it popular with pleasure riders and trail riders. The aegidienberger breed is relatively new, developed in Germany from a cross between Icelandic and Peruvian horses. Around 1,000 registered horses are considered aegidienberger. Another type of gaited horse is the Icelandic Horse, which is said to be the original viking horse. Icelandic horses have been bred in Iceland for over 1,000 years and their popularity is continuing to increase around the world.
Besides their athletic ability, gaited horses exhibit additional gaits. These horses usually exhibit great tolerance and sweetness of temperament, and can be a joy to ride. Even novice riders can easily feel comfortable riding a gaited horse. They are also good companions and make great trail mounts. If you want to learn about the gaited horse breed, it is essential to study various types of gaits.
Genetics
The smooth gait of the gaited horse is a result of a gene mutation, DMRT3. Non-gaited animals do not carry this mutation, and horses carrying two copies have an additional defect. The truncated protein does not function normally, but allows the horse to perform additional gaits. Genetics of the Gaited Horse has revealed that the DMRT3 gene is involved in the movement of the horse’s hind legs.
Molecular genetics has uncovered numerous variants that contribute to gait, including those that lead to lateral and diagonal movement. In particular, DMRT3 is linked to gaited-type in Spanish and Portuguese horse breeds. This variant has been linked to the ability to perform an ambling gait in horses, but more research is needed to understand the specifics. Genetics of the Gaited Horse will give us a better understanding of how this trait develops in horse breeds.
Besides genetics, other factors play a role in determining the gait of a horse. For example, a CA horse may not show ambling when first trained, but a CA genotype is more likely to be optimum for high-level classical dressage, heavy pulling, and gallop racing. Clearly, genetics is an important factor in the gaited horse’s gaits.
Training
If you haven’t yet started training a gaited horse, it is important to get a professional trainer who specializes in training these types of horses. The trainer should ride the horse and evaluate how he communicates with the horse. The horse may be trotting when you ask it to gait, which is a sign of a problem. Once he has the proper gait, the horse can easily transition to a fast walk.
Unlike non-gaited horses, gaited horses have a unique set of challenges. These horses often suffer from stifle and back issues. Their backs can be hollow, which can make saddle fitting a nightmare. Fortunately, most gaited horses are generally tolerant of novice riders and are easy to train. As long as they focus on becoming their best, the horse and rider can develop a beautiful natural gait.
In addition to using a trainer who specializes in training gaited horses, it is important to understand the basic skills of horses. Gaited horses are fast and dangerous if they are not properly trained. Having the proper training can help you to prevent any issues in the future. The horse will also have a better temperament. So, make sure you invest some time and energy into training your gaited horse.
Feeding
One of the first questions a new gaited horse owner asks is how much hay to feed. A recent question on the Gaited Horses Forum asks the same exact question: “Hay! How much hay can a single horse eat?” The questioner had recently left a boarding facility, but was unsure how much hay was actually provided. Fortunately, several knowledgeable answers were offered.
As the name suggests, gaited horses walk in a special way. While other horse breeds walk in a traditional fashion, a gaited horse has a unique four-beat gait. Instead of moving in a continuous line, the gaited horse moves its legs separately, with a pair of feet moving parallel to one another. This style of gait requires less energy than other types of horse walking, which makes it perfect for endurance competitions.
If you’re planning on taking a ride on a gaited horse, you must give him or her enough room to move around. A horse with a natural inclination to move will often be frightened if suppressed, and a lack of exercise and movement will often result in fractious behavior. Instead of relegating the horse to a “dog walk,” allow it to move freely.
Care
If you are new to training your horse, you should understand that the proper care of a gaited horse requires more time than you may think. Developing coordination, muscle tone, and neurological memory take time and proper training will pay off in the long run. A newly purchased horse may have been rushed through training, which will lead to a stiff, poorly gaited animal. Proper training will pay off in the long run, allowing you to enjoy your gaited horse for many years to come.
In addition to proper hoof care, gaited horses also require careful attention to the hoof. Good farriers can help you maintain the natural gait of your horse. Ask other owners of gaited horses for recommendations for specialized farriers. Also, remember that the profession of equine dentistry is unregulated, and that it can vary greatly between farriers. A vet is a better option if you want a medical professional who knows what they are doing.
It’s also important to keep in mind that gaited horses have the same skeletal structure as other horses, so saddles that are placed too far back can cause strain to the back of the animal. You should place saddles about a hand or two behind the horse’s withers. Once you have learned how to properly care for a gaited horse, it will be easier to maintain a happy, healthy animal.
