Exercises to Break up the Pace for Gaited Horses

In this video Brenda Imus demonstrates cavaletti exercises which help to break up the footfall pattern of laterally-oriented (pacey) horses and get them working off their haunches. Also, helps with bending and softening. From the Gaits from God DVD Set by Brenda Imus available at phoenixrisingsaddles.com

[@leahscroeder9934]

Thanks for your videos! I have a rescue horse that dna says is a haflinger X Arabian but she gaits. I'm trying to get nice solid gaits from her and your tips help so much!

[@light9623]

This exercise is amazing and works quickly. Love that you can work on bending with the same set of equipment also.

[@phoenixrisingsaddles--your9965]

It's amazing how quickly they tend to work too! The results are unmistakable and the exercises so simple to do :)

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Good job!

[@jenniferdunn1386]

I love your videos!!

[@light9623]

Wow plan to try this. I sure hope it gives us a little bit more help. Is there any special shoeing needs for a horse that paces? I have watched a ton of your videos and I'm getting there. This is my first gaited horse and I am having to learn alone as I cannot find a local trainer. So you are now my trainer lol. So, thank you for the videos.

[@phoenixrisingsaddles--your9965]

I'm so glad you're finding them helpful!. We also have a free library of articles by Brenda Imus on our website if you'd like to check them out phoenixrisingsaddles.com Enjoy! :)

[@mariannem3935]

how far do you put the cavaletti apart?

[@Tanner-Pferdetraining]

I have an icelandic horse, it‘s a 16 years old gelding. With no rider on him, he‘s able to gait, to tölt. But when I‘m sitting on him he performs walk, trot, canter and a stepping pace. Do you think working him over the poles will get him to tölt? Would be very happy to hear of you ❤️

[@phoenixrisingsaddles--your9965]

Hi Vanessa, You're on the right track. The tolt is another name for a fast running-walk or rack (depending on the length of overstride from the back legs). So the advice in the video you're watching applies exactly to your situation, too. Keep in mind that if your horse is performing the tolt at will while not being under saddle, that indicates he is strongly gaited. Typically we see horses tend to either the diagonal (trotty) or lateral (pacey) when moving at will and not under saddle. The fact that he falls into an unevenly timed 4-beat gait like the step pace when he gets under saddle can indicate he's being ridden in a saddle that is causing him to hollow out and ventroflex his back and abdominal. They need to do this in order to step-pace, which reduces the amount of movement through their loins, back, shoulders and neck. Horses often do this to avoid uncomfortable contact with a saddle. You can perform simple and logical tests that are outlined in this saddle fitting article, to determine if saddle fit might be a factor: phoenixrisingsaddles.com/gaited-horse-training/87-does-your-saddle-fit-your-horse I hope this helps!

[@mariannem3935]

watch Benni Lindal, Iceland, videos, he is a master!

[@bridgetrooney2875]

Can you retrain a gaited horse to perform its gait instead of pacing no matter their age? I know older horses can tend to be more stubborn when learning something new. Also, can you retrain a horse to properly gait if it has been improperly trained to pace its entire life , or at least most of its life?

[@phoenixrisingsaddles--your9965]

Yes and yes! Of course the older the horse, the longer he has been ridden in a laterally oriented gait, how he is neurologically wired, and how he is built to move all come into play when we're talking about gait training. Some horses are naturally very strongly laterally oriented, no matter the age, and it takes some more work to help even out their gait into a 4-beat gait performed in good form. The most important thing you can do is make sure they are comfortable and can comfortably round up through the back, neck and poll and collect into the bit. When horses are uncomfortable either in the saddle or bit, they tend to shorten their movements and fall into a two-beat gait (trot or pace). If they are comfortable and able to comfortably collect, it's all about working that walk! Getting them to move actively off their haunches at a walk will help them to build their muscle and neurological memory, allowing them to perform an evenly timed 4-beat gait at speed. After all, the walk is a 4-beat gait itself, where each leg picks up and sets down independent from all the others. Here's an article you might find helpful in developing impulsion: phoenixrisingsaddles.com/gaited-horse-training/gaited-horse-training-library/102-developing-impulsion-part-i. I hope this helps!

[@bridgetrooney2875]

Thank you! This information was incredibly helpful!

[@63Malda]

How far apart to you space the cavaletti?

[@phoenixrisingsaddles--your9965]

We recommend setting them 1 1/2 times the length of your horse's body. You have some leeway since there is no exact measurement you need to go by so don't get too caught up in getting it perfectly set to that distance. It's just a general rule of thumb. Thankfully so because what a pain if you're trying to work several horses over them at once! :)

[@63Malda]

Okay, I tried that for the past four weeks, but he just keeps stumbling over the poles (started with three then went down to two). Maybe it's tricky for some gaited horses?

[@63Malda]

Thank you for your reply. I tried many saddles, including treeless, finally found one that fits well. The feet are trimmed normally, shoes on the front but not the back (he doesn't need them). He had a very smooth rack when I tried him out, but the seller had the trim you described: very long toe and low heal, and I found out he uses chains/weights on the horses to get the pace out. This horse is probably too pacy to gait, he can't even walk well. It feels like I'm riding a drunk monkey. Never getting another gaited horse, what a waste of time! For what I paid I could have bought a nice, smooth Quarter Horse and been riding and having fun these past four months, instead of working in an arena on some pacy horse who will never learn to walk.

[@sarahbeth9525]

How long do u usually do these exercises? Months? Weeks? I know it would depend on the horse but just a ball park range. When is my horse ready?

[@jamieevan6118]

Assuming your horse is comfortable under saddle, we typically begin seeing results by the end of the first session. However, it's the regular practice and conditioning to get your horse moving off the haunches with impulsion from behind that is going to reap your longer-term results. Once you both are in the habit, and have the muscle and neurological memory built up you'll find that your horse will begin to move this way without much prompting. Before you know it you'll find your horse will begin slipping into an evenly timed 4-beat gait in sound form when you begin to ask for speed.