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Moni
Member
Username: Pfdusty
Post Number: 54
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 8:43 pm: |   |
Hello everyone.
In October 04 I rescued a neglected Mc Curdy Plantation Horse stallion and a jack from a neighboring field. I got both gelded especially since the stallion has a club foot. It took me 1 month to just get them to let me put a halter on them and catch them in a 200 acre field. I found out that he is about 13 years old and the jack 4 or so.
We are working on basic stuff right now like leading, grooming etc.
But my problem is that I am not familiar with Walking horses at all and so I have a few questions I would like to post here. Of course any information I can get is greatly appreciated!
I know he is naturally gaited and the club foot doesn't seem to bother him much. The farrier is trying to slowly widen the hoof. I would like to start him in a round pen.
Here goes:
Can a gaited horse be worked in a round pen, on a lunge line or do they need more space?
Do gaited horses need to have special bits and saddles? If so what kind and why?
Are there certain training methods or riding styles I should avoid with a gaited horse?
That's all I can think of right now.
Thank you for your time. |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 567
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 11:28 pm: | |
Moni,
Dr. O. will be able to give you LOTS of help with this since he has both TWH and mules, but I will attempt some kind of answer in the meantime.
How you work train and tack up a gaited horse depends on how you want to ride him. Are you going to show? Ride trail? Do competitive rides? Jump? Work cattle? As far as a round pen . . . the best size for an older, unconditioned horse is anything over 40 feet in diameter . . . especially if you are doing work at the rack or canter. A 25-30ft long longe line will give you a 50-60ft circle. First, I would work on some bending/giving exercises at the halt and walk from the ground, and then on his back, in order teach him to listen and respond to you, as well as to strengthen his muscles, and make him more agile.
Yes, there IS special TWH tack . . . or you may choose to use a favorite English saddle . . . or even an Aussie saddle . . . or a Western saddle. TWH horses are individuals just like horses of any other breed, and they come in different shapes and sizes, so whatever you choose, you want it to fit the horse and fit you.
I was invited to ride a TWH mare a couple of weeks ago. The saddle was a regular western saddle, and the bit was a Tom Thumb (ewwwwwwwwwww) . . . and the other people riding with me were riding TWH stallions that were being conditioned for an endurance ride this coming April. TWH are as versatile as horses of any other breed. The mare I was riding is regularly used for working cows, and I was told that she is an amazing cutting horse.
If you can find out the previous training of the TWH you have, it may help you decide what you want to do with him now . . . or you may decide to retrain him for your favorite style of riding. No matter what, don't feel that just because you have a particular breed of horse that you are limited to a particular KIND of riding. Of course, some horses are better conformed for doing certain things than other horses are (Thoroughbreds are much better at long distance racing than are Belgians!). The key is to teach your horse particular cues: to move him forward at the different gaits, to halt, to lead with you, to bend, to move the different parts of his body by giving to SOME kind of pressure whether it is verbal, visual, or tactile, etc.
I know there is much more that other members can say about this. I just wanted to show you that you are free to choose how you want to do things with your horse . . . Find a trainer or method that seems effective and kind . . . be dedicated and consistent and have FUN! |
Melissa A Mathurin
Member
Username: Melis
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 8:44 am: | |
Moni,
Hi, I own two walkers. No, you don't have to have any special tack. I use a plain snaffle bit and a Tucker endurance saddle. Just make sure the saddle fits well. If it doesn't, they might not gait as smoothly as you'd like.
Since TWH are horses first, you can train and ride them just like any other horse. You can roundpen work them and such.
There are several message boards that have a lot of good info and articles which would answer most of your questions. One site is: www.gaitedhorses.net
Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of gaited horses! |
Colleen Goolsby
Member
Username: Goolsby
Post Number: 286
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 8:55 am: | |
Moni,
Good for you for rescuing! I think Holly gave you very good advice. I use a walking horse bit with a 10" shank, many people us 8". I dont think it is necessary, but gives more control. I have used english, aussy, and western saddles on my TWH and saddle horse. I prefer western for my appy. As Holly says TWH's are very versatile, so riding style depends on you. One thing I would not do is allow him to run. My son allows my mare to run (although he says he dosent) and this makes her want to break her gait especially when riding with ungaited horses.
Colleen |
Alden Chamberlain
Member
Username: Alden
Post Number: 170
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 1:22 pm: | |
Moni,
The basics are the same as any other breed. I don't own walkers myself, I have four Missouri Fox Trotters and one quarter/arab mutt. I think one mistake made with most breeds, gaited in particular, is trying to force a particular head carriage. I look for soft, responsive and on the bit, where the horse carries his head is his business. You may find the walker with his head higher than you're use to, but they are built differently. Not one of my horses carry their heads at the same level.
I've seen trail horses that would get very edgy on the trail and it was because their heads were tied down to low for the work they were being asked. Imagine be asked to walk a log across a creek, with your hands tied to your side; I for one would get edgy if not down right upset.
Now, the good part! Riding a gaited horse will spoil the hell out of you. Many people just won't ride anything but gaited after experiencing it. (My quarter/arab mutt was my wife's idea. She falls in love with them, I train and ride her projects. Good thing I love her ). So put on your best grin and let the non-gaited folks eat dust!
Good day,
Alden |
Moni
Member
Username: Pfdusty
Post Number: 55
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 1:34 pm: | |
Thank you all for your info, I know I have a long way to go and train myself first (I know my Appy is getting jellous ).
I do know that he (I named him Mc Cloud) has been ridden before but I has been at least 5 years or so if not more. Mc Cloud and Henry (the donkey) have not had shots, wormers or farrier for years and years. They also have not been socialized very well. Mc Cloud does have old saddle sores on his back and is very head shy. The donkey is very shy but trys to learn how to lead.
I just got done building my barn and started to put the two inside over night and each has a stall 15' x 12'. I started taking the halters off at night and putting them back on in the morning to lead them to the pasture. They both are improving slowly.
My other 2 horses are in the adjoining pasture and right acrossed the isle in the barn so they can see each other all the time. I am hoping I can turn them into one group soon.
I honestly think the only experience the 2 newcomers had with people was not a pleasant one.
I have 3 western saddles and 1 English multi purpose saddle and hopefully I can use one of them. Mc Cloud has a short back and round / not very pronounced withers.
Once again... thank you all for your help!!
Moni |
Terri Haynie
Member
Username: Terrilyn
Post Number: 255
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 2:17 pm: | |
What a challenge you've taken on. It will be so rewarding to see these guys come around with good care and handling. Just wanted to add a very quick note regarding a saddle for McCloud. I ride my TWH in an Arab trail saddle by Circle Y. It is specificaly designed for the build you have described--round back and unpronounced withers. Just wanted to throw that in in case you find what you have isn't working. Best to you!
Terri |
Angie Judson
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 161
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 7:22 pm: | |
Moni,
We had a TWH mare we bought who foaled the next spring. This was my husbands first horse and he had alot of wonderful rides on her as long as another horse went in front. If she led, she went nuts and tried to go wide open. Same story if you went out alone with her; she had been abused in the past apparently--as in ran wide open constantly. In the corral our kids could ride 2 on her at a time, she was really sweet then. And she was a wonderful mom to her colt. (If anyhow mets a grey TWH who's about 10 yrs old, named Buckshot, let me know, I miss him so much, still sad we sold him) (sorry, couldn't resist getting sentimental)
What I wanted to suggest was there is a wonderful book called BackYard Walking Tips....if memory serves me right that's the title. I found that useful when we had the Walkers. I want to say that the author is Suzanna something. If someone else knows of the book maybe they can fill in the correct author if you decide to look for it.
Have fun,
Angie
|
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 12156
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2005 - 6:42 am: | |
Excellent advice guys, I pretty much ditto what has been said above you can ride them any style however to get the best gait you should use dressage principles of balance: gaited horses work best on the bit and off the hind end.
My wife tells me that McCurdy Plantation Horses originate out of Alabama and TWH stock. They are considered a exceptionally sturdy well mannered group of gaited horses. I googled them and found there is now a breed registry and organization. If you are interested in learning more see, http://mccurdyhorses.com/ .
DrO |
