Don't buy into the myth that the only way your horse will gait is by framing, force or mechanical manipulation. That is the "old school" of performance gaiting. Correct, natural gait hasnothing to do with what is nailed on your horse's feet, or how severe the bit is in his mouth. Natural horsemanship is all about teaching your horse to find and carry his own, effortless and balanced gait that he's been bred for. Gaited horses have the inherent ability to perform their easy gaits within their own conformational limits. Like a car with many gears, often gaited horses are so versatile in their movements that it can be a challenge to help them find their best, and smoothest, easy-gait and stick with it. Just remember it is the horse's responsibility to give us his naturalgait, but it isourresponsibility to know how to ask him for it.
Natural training creates freedom for the rider to maintain a balanced and independent seat, and stay out of the horse's mouth; it also frees the horse to move unencumbered in relaxed comfort by allowing him to achieve self-carriage. The vast majority of "problems" that horse owners complain of can be directly related to some kind of discomfort experienced by the horse. When you help the horse move in comfort his natural gait can shine through. This is vitally important because only through comfort and self-carriage can any gaited horse become truly balanced.
"Without balance a horse's athleticism will be always be compromised."
Our 10 yr old stallion is a Three-Time National English Pleasure Grand-Champion. He has won this impressive title at the F.O.S.H. North American Pleasure Walking Horse National Championships in 2002, 2003 and again in 2006! He also has 4 other National Championship and Grand-champion titles to his credit. Papa's blue ribbon wins are well into triple digits at this point, and our focus is now turning to what he can sire. All his offspring are showing natural, multi-gaited, loose movement that epitomizes a great walking horse. His oldest, Gracie, is now consistently winning in the show ring, and all of his babies that have been started so far are demonstrating amazing natural running walk ability, as well as that superb and effortless, rocking chair canter.See video here of "Papa's Graceful Spirit". This amazing young filly shows that Papa is a "proven" sire.
Papa is helping us bring back the solid conformation and "authentically correct gaits" of the foundation walking horse to our breeding program. We're striving for horses that gait as soon as they're started under saddle with long loose stride and natural athletic aptitude. Confident, calm and willing attitude comes in a close second to our emphasis on natural gaiting talent. Like foundation greats such as Roan Allan, Papa will hit 7 different gaits under saddle; this is thefoundation purposeof this breed, and what Papa is passing on...Right along with his confident and "no worries" temperament.
I am happy to offer natural gait training and correction to outside horses here at our farm. Let me help your horse learn to carry himself in a correct, smooth and naturally fluid gait, and help you understand your role as his rider. I do not start green horses under saddle other than our own here at Howe They Walk Farm. My focus is entirely on those horses that will immediately benefit from gait correction instruction or other specific training needs that I agree with the owner would be appropriate. I normally take only 3 to 4 outside horses at any one time, working with them on average of 60 - 90 days toward specifically set goals. The owners are encouraged to join in the lessons as much as possible before the horses return home.
Please see my "training" page for specific requirements for horses coming to Howe They Walk Farm for training.
I also offer individual coaching for riders working to improve the gaits of their own horse as well as gain a better understanding of natural gaited riding and communications. I understand that not all owners want someone else to train their horse for them, but may need advice to achieve the gait they know their horse is capable of.
We don't sell bargain horses. Our guys are raised with daily and loving handling. They grow up to respect and not fear people. They have the best in vet and farrier care, are fed well, get regular shots and wormings. They are not started under saddle until they are 3 1/2 yrs, then only ridden for 60 days and allowed to go back with the herd until they turn 4 yrs old. At that time they are ridden lightly but regularly and patiently allowed to develop the flat walk for up to 6 months. Only at this point do we begin asking for more gait, and they are ready to give it (and do). They progress rapidly in their learning and are very willing because of their mental and physical maturity. This kind of development does not come with a bargain price tag, with the additional costs of allowing them these extra years. We don't believe in the mythical "finished 2 yr old", and we don't believe these horses are anywhere near ready to begin saddle work at that age.
We do not sell a lot of horses, but those few we do are correctly gaited and will be presented to you accurately. Our goal is to find the perfect FOREVER home for each horse, and that means we try our best to match the rider's needs, desires and abilities to the right horse for them.
Our 10 yr old stallion is a 
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