Frequently Asked Questions

EZ WALKING STABLES

Arabian Lane Palmer, Alaska 99645

(907)745-0804

Got a Question? Email me and I’ll try and answer your question.

FAQ about horse owning and training your own horse.

Deb, Why do so many first time horse buyers end up getting out of horses within 2 years?

Its really sad to me when a person buys a horse for the first time, they are so excited, they claim they will never sell this horse.Â Two weeks or so passes and new owners start to realize their dream horse may not be as perfect as they thought.Â A year passes and now they can see them self selling the horse for they just don’t have the time and other things in their life is drawing them in.Â So what happen to the dream and determination that was at the beginning?

Why is this the case in over 80% of first timeÂ horse owners?Â Simple.Â Horse owners try to get out on their own too fast and then get stuck when the horse starts acting like aÂ horse.Â I believeÂ first time owners should board their horses at a facility where they can get help with the horse every time they work with the horse.Â Assistance to help watch you and your horse and guild you down the right road to communicate with your horse more effectually willÂ help you reach your dream.Â If owners don’t board, then work with a trainer at least once a week.Â Its well worth the expense for you will see your partnership growing and your bond with the horse will be come strong.Â Plus its great having somebody to ask allÂ your questions!!!

Frequently Asked Questions about Tennessee Walking Horses

It’s easy to fall in love with a Walking horse or other similar gaited breeds of horses, and not totally because they tend to be handsome animals with good dispositions. More important, their special gaits are comfortable to ride over long distances (unlike the jarring trot), making them a trail rider’s dream come true. The easy gaits should be smooth and delightful to experience.

Riding and training one of these horses, however, may be like changing from a one-gear pedal bicycle to a 20-speed model. Gaited horses are complex, multi-geared individuals and present unique challenges for a horse owner who is more familiar with the simple walk, trot, and canter. I can help guides you through the fine points of developing and maintaining these extra gaits so you can get the most of every ride.

Below are just a few questions I’ve been asked. More more detail training stuff, you will just have to call or write me from my contact page. Deb

What can I expect from a Tennessee Walking Horse?

You can have anything you want with a TWH. From one of the best pleasure horses you can imagine, to a show ring performer at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, the TWH is right at home. With their smooth natural gait and calm disposition, they make the most versatile breed you can own. Trail horse, pleasure horse, or show horse~ A naturally gaited Tennessee Walker; there is no other breed of horse like them.

What is the Tennessee Walking Horse’s disposition like?

Almost all TWH’s are sweet, loving, and calm. Seldom do you come across a nervous, unruly TWH. Besides being a great trail horse, pleasure horse, or show horse, a Tennessee Walker will make one of the best friends and companions you’ll ever have.

What are the gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse?

The TWH has three distinct gaits. The flatfoot walk, the running walk, and the canter or lope. The flat walk and running walk are four beat gaits. That means no bouncing up and down in the saddle as in the trot; smooth as silk. The canter is a slow controlled gallop or lope. Put yourself on a Tennessee Walker “for the ride of your life”.

Can the Tennessee Walking Horse run?

YES!!! The TWH is as athletic as any breed of horse alive. Many TWH are used for sport professionally. Some of the top Barrel Racing and Cutting horses in competition today are TWH. Riding a Tennessee Walker isn’t just a smooth ride, it’s also great fun to share in whether on the trail or in the show ring.

What colors and sizes can a Tennessee Walking Horse be?

You will see all colors and sizes of TWH. From 13 hands tall to 17+ hands tall, they can all exhibit the same natural gait and calm disposition. A hand in terms of measuring a horse equals 4 inches. So a horse that measures 15hands tall would be 60 inches in height. Measurement is made at the horse’s withers (base of the neck). Colors run the full spectrum from black to white as well as spotted. Some of the most popular are yellow/gold and champagne/buckskin, but you will also find bay, sorrel, chestnut, dun, grey, red roan, black roan, and the list goes on and on. I think I have most of these colors covered!!!

I bought a Gaited horse but I can’t seem to make him/her gait, what can I do?

Often new owners have no previous experience with gaited animals, or if they have ridden a gaited horse or mule, they are uncertain about how to keep them going in their gait. Walkers have “gait” bred into them. This does not mean that after 30 to 60 days of training, your 2 year old or older horse who has not been gaiting will be able to “hit a lick” right away. You will have to put in many miles, giving him time to build his muscles and teach him to understand what you are asking. You will gradually ask for more speed and build consistency.

So simplifying this as much as possible, you know when your horse feels smooth and you know when he feels rough or begins to trot or pace. Your job will be to encourage him to move out with some speed and correct him when (actually, right before) he gets rough/breaks gait. Some horses or mules will get to a certain speed and then break into a trot. You will feel him gather to trot and should hold his forward motion by pushing him with your legs and collecting him with your hands. In time you will build the muscles it takes to maintain his speed in gait. Some horses will gradually become more diagonal or lateral as they pick up speed. Unless you are going for a particular gait, keep your horse in the one that feels best to you. He will build speed with practice and eventually he will pick up his gait on cue and hold it for you.

Another Suggestion? Get help from somebody who rides gaited horses. It makes a big difference!!! If you want to learn to jump, are you going to an Instructor who teaches Western Pleasure? Probable not, got o somebody who is successful with jumping or in this case, gaiting!!!