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What is the Indian Shuffle?
Q. I was browsing through your wonderful site and noticed a comment regarding Foundation Bred Appaloosa's and their "Indian Shuffle." We just bought a 2 year old and wondered if you might be able to provide more of a description of this type of gait. Also, are Appaloosas, as a breed, considered a gaited breed? Thanks for your site and time. Frank A. A true Indian Shuffle consists of the horse moving two lateral sets of legs nearly, but not quite, in unison. The hind leg sets down an instant before the fore leg. In other words, it is a...
My Young Horse Does the Stepping Pace. What Can I do?
Hi, My coming four-year-old TWH does the stepping pace when we gait fairly slowly. However, when asking for any speed, he breaks into a hard pace. I've had him for about a year and walk him about 98% of the time. I've started him slowly and have gradually asked for more reach and speed at the walk but as soon as he breaks into gait, its pace,pace,pace. His gait gets very rough when going downhill. That is his gait of choice in the pasture as well. He likes to travel with his head up high so I'm sure his back...
My Tennessee Walking Horse Forges. Please Help with Shoeing and Trimming Advice!
Q. I wonder if you might be able to help me with a question on a shoeing issue I have with my gaited Tennessee Walking Horse. Although I think things are getting a bit better, I sill have a problem with his rear feet "clicking" against his front shoes. This happens when he is in a flat foot walk, and I do not notice it when he is gaiting. His ride has improved tremendously since my farrier has been working on his feet, but he and I are both unsure about which direction we should go now. When we reset...
Can I Canter My Gaited Horse?
This was a previous gaited horse training question answered by Brenda Imus prior to her passing. We are so thankful for the ability to share her advice and wisdom regarding the humane training and riding practices for our gaited horses. Jamie Q. I recently looked into taking my 3-yr old MFT filly to a trainer and he insists that the horse be trained in a canter to "round" out all her gaits. Is it appropriate to train the canter on a gaited horse? I hear so many pros and cons. Ellen G. Dear Ellen, There are no hard and...