| ||||
| Acknowledgement and Thanks!For the many emails of appreciations I've received from those of you who have enjoyed my articles and videos. I do not have a guest book on this site, so I wanted to post many of these wonderful comments as a THANK YOU. I love hearing from you, of your successes and challenges... that is why I do this. I try to answer all the emails within a few days if possible. Good Luck, keep working for the natural gait your horse was bred for. Anita Howe Anita, I had the pleasure of seeing you and Papa at the Women and horses event. What a treat! I think Papa is the prettiest walking horse I have ever seen, certainly the most athletic, and he seems so happy. I know he is what God intended walking horses to be. And, you look like you are having such a good time riding him. I just wanted to tell you thanks for taking him to that event and what a pleasure it was seeing and meeting the two of you and his lovely daughter Gracie. Mary Hello Anita, I came across mention of your website on the GaitedTexas yahoo group and went to check it out. I just had to tell you how fabulous I think your website, program and stallion are. The videos blew me away and inspired me to work harder with my Tennessee Walker Gelding " A World Class Threat" aka Moonshine. I believe Moonshine and I will be partners until the end of my riding days, but if I am ever in the market for a new Walker, I will be at your door and I will most definitely recommend you to anyone looking for a great foundation Walker. Thanks for your vision and your natural methods and going back to the foundation. I'm a huge fan. Horsin' Around, Tracy
Hello Anita, I'm beginning to venture into the world of showing spotted saddle horses and I stumbled upon your site via the FOSH site. I really think it's amazing what you do. Thank you for giving a voice to those who don't have one and treating your horses and those in your care with the love, respect, and understanding they deserve. While I've owned and ridden Spotted Saddle Horses and TWH for 20 yrs plus I'm new to showing. I guess you could say I know how to ride, but I'm not sure I know how to ride the rail! I've already taken a stand when it comes to starting young horses, and like you I won't start a colt or filly until at least 3, many time later. And I like barefoot ,unless there is a legitimate medical reason for a shoe. You have been successful in the ring while at the same time keeping your horse sound which I think it awesome. I've mentioned to my farrier that want to start showing and he said I'd have to shoe my mare with at least keg shoes. Have you found this to be true? I don't understand, nor accept that as a deal breaker. My mare is beautiful, she's been gaiting since she hit the ground (I've had her since she was a weanling) and low and behold gaits while barefoot! I refuse to grow her toe out or put heavy shoes on her~~if that's what I have to do for a ribbon they can keep their stinkin' ribbon. I guess I'm asking you b/c it seems to be the norm to shoe your horse to show, and from your site I gather that you do what's right for the horse~not what is viewed as "right" b/c it's how it's been done for yrs. The horses that you have shod, what type of shoe do you use? Just a plain keg shoe? I know every horse is different-but I'm curious b/c I like the way you think:). Thanks for taking the time to put up your site w/ all the useful and educational articles and info. I added it to favorites so I could come back often and reference it. Take care and thanks for your time, Michelle Dear Anita, I just want to thank you and the best way to do that is to forward what I just sent out to all my horse lists. The letter will say it all.�
Hello, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your web site. You are very much responsible for the changes I have made, and how I ride my walkers. I should let you know that I began riding as a hobby as a young boy. I later developed an interest in dressage and hunter jumper type horses which resulted in years of professional training with a highly regarded instructor. I also developed a deep interest in training bird dogs and after attending my first horseback field trail I was hooked. It was a medium where I could combine my two passions horses and dogs. The unfortunate part of this experience was that I listened to many so called "experts" on how to train, ride, bit and saddle a field trial walking horse. Much of what I was hearing was very different than what I was taught but everyone seemed to be saying the same things. Long shanked bits, one type of saddle (people seem to think fits all horses). The use of heavier front shoes for the "pacey" horse, anyway I am sure you know all about it. Your web site and training articles have brought me full circle and now everything seems to make perfect sense again. The biggest change has probably been experienced by Ranger ( my TWH ). Gone is the long shank bit which cranked his head into a frame and the trooper saddle who's gullet was too narrow resulting in the saddle sitting "uphill" causing it to bridge when Ranger would hollow his back while "pacing". I know this caused him to have a sore back, which probably further shortened his stride and reach. Well, we are back with an English saddle that fits and the snaffle bit. Now Ranger may not be the most naturally talented walker in the world but how will I ever know for sure, if I don't give him the chance.. right. For the past three weeks I have been riding him at a flat walk with a light rien. I continue to ask for reach and stride looking for that head shake to become more pronounced. He had a tendency to switch behind into a pace when I ask for too much speed. I have found that making an immediate turn (small circle) switches him back again (out of the pace) and then we continue at the flat walk. This technique seems to be working and he seems to understand what I am asking for. The reason for my e-mail tonight is that for the first time I was able to establish a true 4 beat walk over a sustained distance. The more I told him what a good boy he was the more he got into it. At one point he had lowered his head to the point it was almost 12 inches from the ground. I am not sure why, my guess is that, the looser he gets in his motion and the more relaxed he gets, he feels the need to stretch his back by dropping his head. Have you ever seen this? He drops it for about 10 seconds then picks it back up and starts to shake it again. I am hoping this means I'm heading down the correct path. Anyway, it's a work in progress and it could take a long time to get him straight but it's the least I can do as I have to accept the responsibility for what he is. I can tell you that I have jumped 4 feet and ridden a grand prix dressage horse in the piaffe and extended trot ,but getting good running walk is just as much fun. Thought you might like to know. Thanks, Dan Hi,
One of the members of the Gaits of Gold message board posted a link on the board to your site, so I checked it out.
Just wanted to write and thank you for your dedication to the naturally gaited TWH, and for taking the time to help educate others. Your articles are wonderful, well written and knowledgeable. Would you allow me to post them on our Gaits of Gold website, along with a link back to your site?
I'm in the process of developing a network of knowledgeable and trustworthy natural gaited horse trainers throughout the US and Canada. The demand for such training currently far exceeds the supply. Not a day goes by that we don't receive several requests for info on trainers in particular regions of the country. Unfortunately, there have been few trainers to whom we could refer such people. We believe that by bringing trainers along through a formal Gaits of Gold Certification program, we can help ensure that people can go to a gaited horse trainer in their area, confident in the knowledge that such a Certified Trainer will be extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of sane, knowledgeable, and natural gaited horse training.
While you may not at present be familiar with Gaits of Gold philosophies, methods and products, I am certain - given your like-mindedness regarding training and breeding standards for the TWH - that if you took the time to familiarize yourself with them, you'd truly appreciate them.
We will be in Raymondville, MO at the end of this coming May, working with folks interested in becoming involved with our training program. Since you live in MO, perhaps you would like to join us there. We have a number of applicants for this program, but are going to be extremely selective as to who will qualify for training and Certification. Based on what I've seen on your site, you would bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the table.
Again, I appreciate your work. Keep up the good fight, I think we're making great headway!
Brenda Imus Gaits of Gold, Inc. Hi! I am a German horse journalist and photographer and I am preparing an article about Tennessee Walker for a big horse-magazine. I was shocked, when I saw the videos from Performance horses, read about soring and "action devices". With this background, the Walkers have no chance fpr pleasure riders in Europe. But the I found your page and I will recommend it in my article. The breed is really nice, but people seem to be less... Hi Anita, I just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your training articles. I start many gaited colts each year, and your philosophy on bits, pure gaits, etc. is what I've been trying to instill in my clients for years. Thank you for putting much needed information where it can be studied by folks who need it. It's good to have a site where I can refer clients so they can get reinforcement on the things I'm trying hard to impart to them. Keep up the good work! Melanie Anita, old filly. Your horses are so relaxed and proper in their form. that exhibited correct form. Most are stiff and are doing a stepping-pace...or they do their running walk at some point but also slip into the stepping pace. I also saw one who had a very short stride on its hind legs...it looked more like it was racking. In all of these videos the owners said their horses were "walking". have been using natural horsemanship training. I am very pleased with his progress. He hadn't been cantered much when I got him, and his canter was a mess (cross-firing, pacing, trotting, etc). Now, however, he is coming along nicely. His head carriage looks much like your 4-yr. old filly. He's probably only been cantering that well since Aug. of 2007. enjoy. I live in Jacksonville, FL. If you're ever over this way I'd LOVE to talk to you. Thanks for your time!!!! -- Amy Hello Anita, I am new to gaited horses. Your website is the first that I've seen that clearly shows and discusses the differences in the gaits. Like you said, even many TWH breeders don't know what a true running walk is. Earlier today, I looked at online videos of several stallions at a particular farm and not a single one was doing a running walk. Not one! Every stallion was tense (to put it mildly), no head-bob, and was clearly doing a stepping pace. It's hard to learn what a running walk is when so many examples such as these are out there and claim to show what a fabulous running walk the horse has. believe less is more when it comes to training horses (most of my horses are currently ridden bridleless or in padded halters) and keep all of my horses barefoot. I'd probably still be confused today about what gait my horse is doing or what we're suppose to be aiming for if it wasn't for you! I found you online. I like how you train your horses. From what I am seeing they have a head nod not seen much these days I live in Ohio. I am the one that likes big bones and hooves. What others see as ugly, I see as a dependable good gaited horse. You really do know what you are doing. Your gait Video is simply the very best and easy for anyone to understand. Your example horse is the real thing. I don't think I could find one so clean in gait. One of the best of examples. I have seen many. My son trains Walkers also naturally. You two have a lot in common. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed reading your website and watching the videos of your guys' movement.
I especially enjoyed watching the flatwalk video since my horse has that same big long rolling movement from back to front - and I can see the rider going with it. I used to feel like I would get whiplash, but then when I learned to just go with it my back actually felt very good afterward, like having a massage LOL
BTW I have a sweetie who is a Pride of Midnight grandson on the one side and a Suns Delight D great grandson. Wonderful temperament and a big huge loose way of going.
Anyway, just wanted to give you my compliments. Cyn
Hi Anita. I'm the person in Arizona who asked to link to your videos of Papa on your website. I wanted to write really quick and let you know that a friend of mine met you at the FOSH show you were at in Virginia. Her name was Kara Smith, and she recognized Papa from my website. She visited Papa before the show in his stall per your invitation. You had invited her to ride Papa, but she wasn't able to wait for you after the show. She owns a great stallion as well (although even she said he's not as well gaited as Papa!). Anyway, she was SO impressed with Papa and raved about him to me after she got back from the show. She said he is really in a class of his own and was really something. She said she's considering breeding one of her mares to him in the spring--that's how much she liked him in that she's considering breeding to him over her own stallion! She suggested that I breed my classic champagne mare to him, too. I really trust her opinion, too, and she doesn't get excited about very many horses, so for her to be so gung-ho about Papa it means a lot. Anyway, thanks again for letting me link to your website. Papa really has perfect timing and the perfect gait. Perhaps I will have to breed my girl to him anyway! :) Take care! Andrea As a new member and owner of a Tennessee Walker I have always hated to see the practices the ridiculous measures some people take in Hi Anita,
I just wanted to write and let you know how much I appreciate your attitude toward training and showing horses and the information you provide on your website. I personally had never seen a Tenn Walker up close until this past weekend. I have always thought that their unique gait was fluid and beautiful.
I volunteer and my wife is starting to work part time as a therapist at Horses of Hope in Buffalo, Missouri. HOH provides therapeutic riding and hippo therapy (therapy on a horse) to children and adults with special needs. This weekend some of our riders participated in an exhibition class at a walking horse show in Springfield, MO. The organizers of the show donated some of the proceeds to HOH. It was a good experience for all of the riders and we all had fun with that part of it. However, we were all disgusted by the rest of the show.
It seemed like that in order to win a class, a horse had to crouch ridiculously on its hindquarters while attempting to kick itself in the nose. One of our physical therapists likened the successful riders to turtles because of their slumped forward, no-neck postures. The riders appeared to be very heavy-handed on the reins and the horses looked to expend tremendous amounts of energy to maintain unnatural looking postures. I was compelled to research the internet in the hope that this was not an accurate representation of what these majestic animals were truly supposed to look and act like.
I found your site to be very informative and frankly quite reassuring. Although it seems by some of your own statements that your attitude may not be prevalent throughout those associated with the breed, I can at least maintain hope that the right approach to training and showing these horses is contagious and will gain prevalence. Thank you for your site.
Sincerely, Chris I want to thank you for always offering excellent training tips, encouragement and taking time out of your day to help promote the naturally gaited TW. You truly are what FOSH is all about.
Jody Hey, this is Jeremy from Kentucky and i ran across your site and read most of it. Its nice to know there are still some ppl left in the world that knows what a true walking horse is all about. Where i am from we have almost completely lost the true natural walking horse all the way around. I agree with you guys that the walking horse breed is totally evolving into something that is way off track. I attended a local show the other night, and here came the 2 & 3 year old walkers into the ring. The crowd cheers em on. Not having a clue that this is not a natural walking horse at all. All padded up, heavy ankle chains, not to mention the long shank bits and oh yeah don't forget the very poor posture of the riders. They bring up to a running walk.... the crowd really gets into it. Watch em go.... oh yeah watch em suffer !!! but wait a minute this isn't a running walk at all !!! I see nothing but these horses performing a rack!! They start em out at a flat walk then say to bring em up to a running walk but nothing happens.. the horse don't shift gears because they can't all they are doing is a rack ...no running walk gait at all. I cannot believe this is what our walking horses have turned into. Its just total foolishness. Nothing wrong with a rack, its one of my personal favorite gaits but this is not what a walking horse is suppose to be at all. Right now you can not find a good naturally gaited walking horse in my neck of the woods. They are all conformationally incorrect, very pacey some will do nothing but pace and rack. It bothers me alot that our walking horses are suffering to this degree. Something has to be done and done quick or we have lost our walkers totally. Oh yeah temperament... what happened to the eager to please willing big hearted walker attitudes. They have bred the temperament right out of them totally. Now we have a breed with a high strung, pushy attitude that can be down right aggressive and dangerous to be around. Where did all the easy going, willing to please Stallions get off to ? The Stallions now have to be handled like they are a grizzly bear ready to attack. Its a sad situation seeing a whole breed being transformed right before our eyes. They only seems to be a handful of ppl that still understands what a true walking horse really is. The owners, trainers, judges, and breeders have no clue as to what they have done or what is right or wrong. There still is hope , all us natural walking horse ppl just gotta stick together and stand our ground !!! Thanks for your time and keep up the good work !!!!! Hi! ridden before. I also fit the mold you described. I felt it would be best to have me and my horse trained by someone who specifically trains TWH horses. I wanted to make sure I didn't screw him up. I don't feel I have totally wasted my money. She has taught us the basic, what I consider, dressage training or natural horsemanship. Leg yields, side passes, turn on haunches and forehand, flexing, etc. She did, however, use rollers and draw reins when we first started out. Too many people/trainers want quick/instant results. I also thought it would be best to continue riding my horse with the same bit he was used to. Yes, a walking horse bit. I have achieved some nodding and shake but have not been able to get it consistentantly most likely because of the bit I am using. After reading your article on bits, I want to change. My horse is turning 4 in a couple of months. I have had him since last August. He has been a real pleasure to work with. He is smart and catches on quick. I am confused by what bit to switch to. After reading more about bits, I would go with a mullen barrel. There are bits with shanks, curb bits, etc. I ride English and should I decide to show it will also be English. What bit would you suggest I switch to? We will be doing a fair amount of trail riding this year too. I am afraid if I ask my trainer she would want me to keep what I have or switch to a wonder bit which is what she uses on her horses. Your advise would be most appreciated. Anita I sure like what you have to say! I’ve heard some people talk about you J and it’s all good! I’m in TX and sure wish I could find someone with your way oftraining. I’m near Houston, you don’t happen to know anyone do you? As you’ve said it is few and far between. It seems like all of the trainers want them to start at the pace and square them back up. That seems to be all I hear – why not just teach them to “walk” to begin with! Sorry didn’t mean to rant J Thanks and hope you are enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend. Becky YOUR HORSE IN THE VIDEO IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN SHOWING THE TRUE GAITS OF THE TWH.
YOU'VE DONE A SUPERB JOB TO BRING OUT THE "NATURAL" GAITS IN THIS HORSE.
I WATCHED THEM OVER AND OVER AND WILL KEEP IN MY FAVORITES.
THANKS FOR TRUE ENJOYMENT SEEING THIS BEAUTIFUL WALKING HORSE IN NATURAL STATE.
JOYCE Dear Anita,
Thank you for your article on "Bitting the Walking Horse". It is so informative and interesting.
I am a first time horse owner of just 4 years. My Walker/Standardbred gelding is 14 yrs old. I bought him after riding him the first time on a weekend trail ride . He was easy to control with a beautiful gait- Cadillac style.
Once we got him home and remove his shoes, he went lame. We had a special farrier to build him shoes for the front so he was able to at least walk. After 6 months, his feet were improving. As they improved and he felt better,,,,he has become increasingly hard to handle - mainly to stop or slow. His gait is still nice when he doesn't become come unglued. I use the standard " walking horse bit". I did try a "Wonder bit" once but did not see a change in him.
I'm looking into some re-training for him,,,and just plain training for me. I wish I lived closer to you. Do you think a specific snaffle bit would make a significant difference in control on the trails? Any and all advise so appreciated. Thank you and .........
Happy trails, Tonya I just lucked onto your site and proceeded to read all the training articles listed. I want to thank you for these informative entertaining lessons. I am an older man just really learning to ride and train walker. I have a big 3 year old filly I am just starting nad you articles are a tremendous help. I am a devoted full cheek snaffle advocate and it has help me get this girl really soft in the neck laterally and vertically. I wish I were closer to you folks so I could watch and learn from you, but will just read and reread your articles. . Thank you so much for all the great free information. John **** Alamogordo, NM Anita, it was so nice to meet you at the Castle Rock TW Horse Show and get to see Papa's performance. I also have enjoyed your website and will be reading and watching every video you upload on it. I think I have learned more from you this last weekend than from anyone around these parts. Wish you were closer, I'd be there now. So thanks again. Sue I found your web site advertised in The Gaited Horse and saw Papa listed. I own a walker with Delight bloodlines (Daisy's April Fool Delight) so I naturally had to take a look. I was pleasantly surprised to see you do things naturally as I also practice natural horsemanship. Daisy uses a Parelli halter and I have her trimmed by a natural farrier.
Just wanted to say thank you for your videos and the article content was wonderful. Thanks.
Doing it naturally - Janet Wow, thanks for the videos. I’ve been looking for good videos of flatshod walking horses and yours are great. I have a 6 year old “big lick” bred TWH who is a great character but I have never really gotten a good flat walk or running walk out of him mostly because I’m not sure how it is supposed to look and feel! He’s also very pacey. He’s barefoot and I have only ever ridden him with a snaffle bit. Do you know anyone in the Memphis TN area that works with flatshod TWH, not competition horses? Any suggestions, pointers, etc. warmly appreciated… Kitty Hello Anita...I am the owner of a lovely coming 4 TWH filly who has never been abused and I couldn't agree more about the temperament, willingness and just plain sweetness of this breed. (She is a little pacey, but she is still a baby and she does have a great running walk...I figure I will just walk the pace out of her...on bare feet! ) The idea of soring truly sickens me. We don't see this around here..we don't have the "big lick" shows (I live in Western NY--but gaited horses are becoming more popular here so more people will become aware of abusive practices in the industry) Can anything be done to put pressure on local humane societies to take a more active part in preventing these practices? Brenda Imus lives a couple hours south of me and she is also a proponent of the natural gaits... I'd be happy to write our Senators etc...and get my friends to do so, too....Maybe just keeping it in front of the horse public will help...Just a thank you for your letter...Maybe Equus could take a more active role and publish a petition to send...? Bye for now. Barb Anita; I was thrilled to find your website! Your videos of the gaits is a real plus ... "Thanks" to your videos of the Flat & Running Walk my dressage trainer/coach now has a better understanding of how he needs to work with me & my horse [in his 20+ years of dressage, I'm his first gaited, as well as his oldest (62+), student] ... Would love to see you & Papa in person ... should you ever have an event within 150 miles of Paducah, KY I'd pull out all stops to get there! Again, THANKS .... Have a wonderful day! Cecelia I'm very new to gaited horses ,after a lifetime of riding quarter horses, I have found the information on your website an absolute breath of fresh air. I knew there was something wrong with the gait training information I was hearing,throw away every thing I know about horses, keep my horses head up, keep a tight rein- hold the horse up in the front, blah blah blah. I refuse to use one of the big walking bits too- and have been met with frowns all around. I wish I was located closer to you. Im in Michigan-so its not a little jont to come see you, but I was wondering if you ever do clinics? I have nobody and I mean nobody around here to help me with my gaited horse. maybe that has worked in my favor.? anyway- thanks again for the great info on your site. Jody
| TRAINING ARTICLES
| ||
| ||||
