New to gaited horses? Buying tips!

What should you look for or look out for when buying a gaited horse?
Here are just a few things to watch for, both good and bad when purchasing a horse.
Check out my website at www.IvysHorses.com
Private Training Group: ivyshorses.com/product/privat...
Get LIVE videos every week: / 113182565386378

[@sseeback6754]

Thank you sooooooo much for advocating for a pre-purchase exam!!!!!!

[@Ashestoashespetcrematory]

I caught that.! I was thinking I wish Ivy would have a few horses for sale!

[@marshaworkman2764]

Wonderful advice!!❤️

[@jordanwhite1420]

About the saddling --- maybe see it more than once, because sometimes it's the person, not the horse. I personally have a horse (leased) that I was told was skittish about the saddle. When I watched a barn worker tack the horse up, the worker stood about 4 ft. away & literally threw the saddle on. Surprise, surprise, the horse reacted. I saddle slowly & smoothly, with one line tied to my car trunk, and there's never a problem.

[@jensmore]

Could I get info on those rescues?

[@clairebarker296]

Great overview as always! I also am starting to be more aware of their "place" in the herd. Are they dominant?, bottom of the totem pole? or in the middle somewhere? Very social or ok being on the periphery ?What is their basic energy level? (you did touch on that one). None of it is a deal breaker mind you-but I have found that dominant, high energy horses can be a bit painful on a trail ride-though they can be great competition or solo horses for someone ready to let them do their thing, and able to redirect their sometimes-irritable side.

[@guildbass1234]

I bought a horse that did everything I wanted on the video but didn't work for me. As an older rider I have lost some confidence or maybe gained wisdom lol. He was just not a good match for me but works perfectly for the young lady that cares for our horses when we travel. I was the problem not the horse. Now that Covid is over I was able to travel from Canada to the US and found a great match. I will never buy a horse without riding it again.

[@skstrang1]

Love your videos. Long time rider, Arabians mostly (endurance and trail riding). Bought our first Rocky Mountain mare 14 years ago. I never gave up but knew something was wrong even when she was a yearling. Finally got the diagnosis of PSSM 1. Since then I have ridden with some stumbly gaited horses which also show symptoms as my mare. (I apprenticed with long time farrier, who was an expert). It can be a heart breaking experience. And if you are not a farrier, could cost a fortune. Could you address the prevalence of pssm, Epsm, rer, in gaited breeds?

[@jorgelombardi5796]

Any ideas on peruvian paso horses?

[@IvyS]

Same rules apply. You want a calm horse. Find one that gaits well at the speed you want to ride.

[@maggiepie8810]

I have another suggestion, make sure that you're getting a horse that's a good size for you, based on your height and weight. Not getting a horse that's too small is common sense, but I'd be mindful of how large that feels too large. Don't look at horses that are 17+ hands if you know that you would feel a lot more comfortable with a horse that's between 14.3 and 15.3.

[@farmgirlrebel1333]

I have an ex Amish buggy horse on my place that I rehabbed. While he is a big, black TWH, I have never been able consistently to keep him from pacing...that's okay, but wow, it is like riding a jackhammer when he breaks into a pace

[@IvyS]

You can always train the pace into a gait. He sounds amazing.

[@farmgirlrebel1333]

@@IvyS Thanks...he is wonderful and for my riding desires (trail) he does wonderfully. My Missouri FT just gaits out comfortable and without any issues...but a lifetime in the traces of a buggy has left my TWH with some residual trauma...but he is a good boy

[@daniellarockwood6925]

Ok, so. What do you do if you're not sure if your horse is gaited or not? A year ago, I bought a neglected Arabian cross at an auction. I have no history on him. I had to spend several months rehabbing him. I did start to ride him in mid-September and almost immediately when trotting, he would start doing this other thing. It wasn't a trot and it wasn't a walk. Smooth, like floating. I've ridden horses most of my life but never a gaited horse. He would do it all the time and the more I rode him the more he would go into it. Winter came and I didn't ride for about 3 months. Now we are ridding and its back. The thing that confuses me is that it seems slow compared to the horse in the vidoes, however he is rather unfit. Is there a way I can tell if this is gait or something he was taught in his previous life? I suspect based on his confirmation that he is an arabian saddlebred cross. He long legged, with that arched swan looking neck. Beautiful boy.

[@IvyS]

Best thing to do is to try to get video of it. Just put your phone somewhere and video. Feel free to send me the video and I'll take a look. It could very well be a broken trot.

[@SGTrainingStable]

Can a haired horse compete as a reining cow horse?

[@jcoffey4415]

Could you give the names of the rescues out east?

[@dianeholt2012]

Another thing I have ran into with my search is when folks don't want to answer detail questions when you start asking them theu start to get irritated by the questions.

[@jimmoore3705]

Tie downs are one of the worst pieces of tack ever invented and should never be used period. It is just a sign of insecurity on the part of the rider/owner and not enough training being down to get the horse to be a partner and not a slave.

[@mariabeurer1512]

What kind of bit do you recommend?

[@IvyS]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHixfmyGr7epgdk

[@Dantheboi7]

what if the horse is perfect for me, but it's gaited, and i won't ever gait on the horse/I don't want to gait?

[@IvyS]

You can train them to trot.

[@pjstar2009]

I'll take 'im, lol

[@jordanwhite5470]

"Seeing a video" was mentioned countless times. Surprised you don't advocate for actually being present, seeing the horse ridden, and riding it yourself. Lots of things can be hidden or not noticed in a video. Also, would expect strong encouragement for taking a skilled trainer with you, to see what you can't.