Anita Howe author, trainer, clinic... presents
Natural Gait Training
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Gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse as previously published in Horse Illustrated magazine To truly understand the signature gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse, one should review the use and purpose behind the origins of the breed. Founding breeders desired a utility mount that could pull wagons, carts and plows as readily as it would bear a rider in comfort over great distances. They desired a horse that anyone could manage, sensible and willing in mind while hearty in body to provide an effortless gliding ride that was less taxing on both rider and horse; to have the utility of a Jeep with the ride of a limousine. The signature gaits of the flatfoot walk, the running walk and the rocking-chair canter became the solution for both function and comfort. The flatfoot walk (aka "Flatwalk") Often called a marching “walk with purpose” the flatfoot walk gives the horse an appearance of having someplace to be. This a walk, much as any horse executes, but with added reach and stride to equal the trotting speeds of most non-gaited horses. A bold four-beat gait, it is executed with released and fluid hips and shoulders that provide both-hooves-on-the-ground rolling weight transfer both fore and hind to maintain an economy of effort while providing a ground covering locomotion. Each hoof lifts and plants with complete independence producing an evenly spaced (timed) hoofbeat. Because it is a non-suspending gait, all energy is used for forward propulsion, rolling from hoof to hoof with no wasted effort for upward loft. The long reach of those hind hooves should always surpass the hoof print of the same-side fore with each step in what is termed overstride. The better and deeper a walking horse works in his flatfoot walk, the greater this overstride becomes, often reaching well over 18 inches in their evenly timed hoofbeats. The Flatfoot walk was so named because of the thundering hoofbeats produced as the marching hooves land flat. The long stride of the Tennessee Walking Horse is what translates the bold, marching energy of the flatfoot walk to speeds of 3 – 5 mph. Because it is so energy efficient, the well conditioned horse can not only manage this gait over long distances, but many can actually recover somewhat at this speed; just one of the reasons why the Walking Horse has become such a favorite with endurance riders. Just as we swing our arms to counterbalance and add power to our walking stride, the walking horse nods his head to counterbalance and add power to his sweeping hindquarters, giving this gait a very prominent and productive headnod that is the hallmark of the walking horse gaits. The deeper their hindquarters stride at this slower tempo the more they are able to counterbalance with a deeper nod. This energy flow from the hindquarters to the head produces the softly rolling front-to-back ride felt from the saddle where the rider is never lofted upward. Riding this gait with a released lumbar region allows the upper portion of the rider’s body to remain totally quiet above the saddle The Running Walk It is important to understand that the running walk is the same fundamental gear as the flatfoot walk executed with greater extension of stride as well as a faster tempo. It should have the same released, neutral topline; the same rolling hips and shoulders, the same nodding head and the same evenly timed, independent hoofbeats. The increased speed of the running walk will manifest only subtle changes in balance, head nod and impulsion as it extends to speeds of 8 – 10 mph. Some horses may surpass this speed but will often begin to lose form as their stride begins suspending and the loose economy of the walking gaits is left behind. Maintaining the rolling weight transfer with no suspension, the marching movement of the flatfoot walk becomes more forward, fluid and rolling as the tempo increases to running walk speed. Where the flatfoot walk is executed with purpose, the running walk adds a sense of urgency. It is the equine equivalent to human speed walking. To remain in correct, energy efficient form the hooves should continue their evenly spaced timing, but will begin to land more heel-toe instead of flat causing the hoofbeats to become less thundering. There is essential tension introduced through the core of the walking horse as his speed increases that reduces the depth of the headnod enabling him to match the faster tempo of the running walk, much as our arms will swing more compactly when we increase to a speed walk. This more compact movement and headnod is what quiets the ride even further becoming smoother than even that of the flatfoot walk for the rider. That same essential tension will frequently add lightness in the fore helping the hindquarters to maintain engagement with a powerful sweeping stride. There is variance between horses that lighten to shift weight slightly toward the hindquarters and those who will remain more evenly balanced between fore and hind, usually with a slightly lower head carriage. This variance is a product of both conformation and conditioning. Both are considered correct in that the core posture, driving hindquarters, nodding head, and forward reaching shoulder all remain evident. The Rocking-Chair Canter This three-beat canter is similar to other canters and lopes in that it is a transverse gait executed on the right or left lead. The rocking chair canter takes its name from the rolling ride provided by this deliberate and elegant gait. The Tennessee Walking Horse adds brilliance and lightness to the collected canter by utilizing their remarkable stride to reach deep, lift and flow through with the same energy efficiency we see in their other gaits. The one unique characteristic of this canter is that many walking horses, as they learn to relax, slow, collect and execute a deliberate stride will forego the normal aerial phase of the canter to execute a transverse step. This occurs when the driving “outside” hind reaches under to plant slightly before the lead front hoof lifts off. Again this horse is showing us how they can economize their energy by utilizing their long stride and reach. For a more in-depth discussion on natural gait correction and the biomechanics of the easy gaits, see my book "Freedom to Gait" available through retailers nationwide. Autographed copy can be purchased through www.freedomtogait.com Thanks, Anita
| new from Author House Publishing
GAIT TRAINING ARTICLES new: TWH Gaits
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