Smooth Gaited Horse Breeds From the United States | Part 1

Gaited Horses have unique gaits that make them smooth and comfortable to ride! For some equestrians with knee and back pain, having smooth gaited horses is the reason they are able to continue riding!
In this video you get to meet several smooth gaited horse breeds (and World Champion Stallions!) from the United States:
00:18 Tennessee Walker
02:33 Missouri Fox Trotter
04:33 Racking Horse
06:15 Old Kentucky Saddler (Mountain Pleasure Horse)
08:46 McCurdy Plantation Horse
10:29 Rocky Mountain Horse
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#horsebackriding #gaitedhorses #horsebreeds

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Is there a Gaited Breed you would like to ride? Let me know which one you would pick.💬

[@gailmadsenclayton1769]

I have the privilege of having a MFH, (Missouri Foxtrotting Horse. ) She’s very sweet and kind. She’s 27 years old and still happy to take me out for a ride.

[@Mistfall254]

All of them lol

[@sigridvanosch1990]

Paso Peruano!

[@loganjames4060]

Paso

[@loganjames4060]

I agree all of them

[@luv2rackon]

I grew up riding Quarterhorses and they are wonderful but when I first rode a Tennessee Walking horse I converted then and there. I now own 2 lovely walking horse geldings and they are my favorites!

[@lollyb6342]

My first horse, Dusty, was a gaited horse and a joy to ride. Dusty was a chestnut with blonde mane and tale, white blaze, and 16.5 hands with a loving heart. Before I owned him he was a parade horse. I was truly blessed at 11 years old to have him. I still love & miss him.

[@WaysideArtist]

I've ridden a Icelandic horse, which i imagine youll talk about in another video. She was a pocket suzed rocket, but so smooth in her gaits. I've ridden a Tennessee Walking Horse. He's a pleasure and so comfortable. I've ridden a boat load of different Mountain Pleasure type horses up from Kentucky. But the love of my life is a little silver grulla, dual registered Rocky Mountain/Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse - a retired broodmare, who's carried me on the trail almost from the moment I first trained her under saddle. They are the sweetest, gentlest, kindest, best gained horses ever, but then I am biased. 😉😊

[@bethanylake2387]

In my younger years I rode Racking Horses. I got into showing them, breeding them and as I got older trail riding them. Great horses to ride. Very smooth.

[@ishara_priestess]

My first horse was a 5 Gaited American Saddlebred. I got him when I was 10 yrs old. I did everything with him. I showed him Western, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, and bareback. We trail rode, showed, jumped, did dressage and drill riding. He was the love of my life. I also had several Tennessee Walkers that I also showed and trail rode. If I were to buy a horse tomorrow, I would, without a doubt, buy a gaited horse! We also had a gaited pony! Love your channel! ✨💖✨

[@melblacke5726]

I had no idea that there were so many different types of gaited breeds native to my country. I was particularly wowed by Racking Horse.

[@reclaimconnection8483]

I bought a Rocky Mountain mare that seemed calm but with little training. Thought she could be a good project horse for me. However, I soon discovered that she had been very traumatized and what appeared as calmness was actually 'shutdown.' I have spent the past year and a half using trauma-informed horsemanship methods to work through her trauma and she is turning into a most lovely and willing horse. I have documented our journey on my website and on Instagram. Love that smooth ride!

[@cusycoillur]

What is the difference with these gaited horses and the Peruvian Paso horse? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2meHqvoqacoNE

[@meadow_equestrian07]

My friend has an amazing Rocky Mountain named Chocolate, she’s gaited but she can also do the normal gaits, she’s a great barrel and jumping horse, she has jumped up to 4 feet and run a very quick barrel pattern, it’s surprising how well she can, considering she’s gaited!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

She sounds wonderful! Sounds like she is the classic Chocolate with flaxen mane and tail coloring? I've heard several people say that their Gaited horses do well in barrels, I might have to give it a try someday! 😁

[@meadow_equestrian07]

Yes!

[@susanhuber7969]

I had a standardbreed fantastic horse! After she passed away I bought a 6 year old registered Missouri Fox Trotter Mare Pure black,Stunning horse,however,I had my hands full with her she was so hot,I had 6 closed hear injuries,broke my tail bone,tor my groin muscle dislocated my wrist and a couple of fingers.She was just to much horse for me so after keeping and hiring 2 trainers and trying to work with her after another 6 year I gave her away to some great people.I disclosed everything,and they said,we still want her,so she got a new home.She scared me from horseback riding ever again.I was in my 50's when all this happened,I wanted to ride,tried to ride other peoples horses but the fear was still there.I'm 70 now so I think it's to late for me to start over. I'm not saying that the breed is like this,I'm just giving you my experience. It's just sad,I still wish I could ride at least one more time without fear getting the better of me.

[@MW-tk5nf]

I wish I could too. I'm nearly 72 and I miss horses so much but like you I'm scared.

[@bobbichambers1942]

I am sorry, but what about the American Saddlebred?

[@sputhoor96]

The first horse I tamed in red dead redemption 2 was a chestnut pinto Kentucky Saddler. I named her Bree. Had some great memories with her robbing banks and stagecoaches. Also won a race with her against a Nokota. Unfortunately she died when she ran into a train that I had highjacked.

[@toddandangelbrowning2920]

I’ve had two Tennessee Walkers. Great horses.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Awww, wonderful!

[@KentuckyLiz]

I had ridden a TN Walking Horse huntseat style in flat equitation and won many events with him. He was really exceptional at listening and responding to me, very receptive to subtle cues, moved beautifully, would gather. Sitting trot was super easy, it was almost hard to post. He also loved games so jumps, slalom, trails, obstacles, eventing, he loved it all. That was a great horse. I moved to KY in 94 and hadn't heard of the KY Saddler or the Rocky Mtn horse before but have seen them a lot at the local shows. One feature is how surefooted they are on mountain trails, which can be crumbly, slippery, or subsided. It's a horse you can trust with your life.

[@siriusley13]

My favourite is the racking horse. Gorgeous on the fly!

[@reneemills-mistretta790]

I've had spine troubles & surgery all my life. My quarterhorse was killing me! When I landed on a Tennessee Walker, I never looked back. I highly recommend to those with back problems. Pain free trail rides.

[@dreamer6943]

After watching all your videos I feel like I need a gaited breed now 😊

[@RubbingElbowsLLC]

Love my Rocky Mountain Horse!

[@joecascio2073]

The Rocky Mountain breed is HARD TO BEAT….. Smoothest ride I’ve ever experienced.

[@cherylhill9350]

So excited, just bought one !!! Looking so forward to riding him!!!❤

[@rypie91d]

I've had 2 smaller back injuries these last two years. I think a Rocky Mountain is what I'm looking to get for me. I've tried our non-gaited horses we own and I just cannot do them for long. Thank you for the excellent video. I certainly thought about a couple of other breeds as well!

[@dr.b865]

I love the Rockys! So sweet, smooth, smart and the few I have known all loved the water. Special horses for sure!

[@jordanwhite5470]

Loved seeing all the breeds, and love riding TWH & RMH for sure. Surprised, though, that you didn't mention Spotted Saddle Horse.

[@cherylhill9350]

I just bought an older Rocky Mountain Horse. I've got to watch a lot of videos this winter to learn what to do with him and learn how to support him!! Sooo excited!!❤😅🐴🐎

[@falcolf]

Missouri Foxtrotter is my favourite ❤

[@sabinebaron241]

I own three Rocky Mountain horses and a Peruvian Paso. Great horses. I train also gaited horses for other people here in France

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Awesome - Gaited horses are such a blast to work with!

[@HissuHietikko]

I have Icelandic horse but I would love to get bit bigger horse with same type of a smooth gait. Bit difficult to find in north Europe.

[@sabinebaron241]

@@HissuHietikko where in northern europe?

[@HissuHietikko]

@@sabinebaron241 Finland

[@sabinebaron241]

@@HissuHietikko we sell Rocky Mountain horses from mid France but that is far from Finland 😊

[@KirkBeaulieu]

Owned a Missouri Fox Trotter

[@AllisonTitcomb]

Cool video. What kind of saddle were you using on the racking horse?

[@LastTree]

I am fascinated by them . Never rode one, but would love to know more.

[@almirakline6070]

❤❤😊we've had/ have several 😊.

[@markabrams4361]

I have ridden Tenn. Walkers, racking , Missouri fox trotters , pasa fino,rocky mt .horses… My favorite over all are the walkers… trail riding, field trials ect…

[@Nil-tz6gy]

Which ones had the calmest temperment?

[@monettegott1]

I love them for more go than whoa lol

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

They really are a blast to ride! 😁

[@marymartin8763]

The first horse I ever rode was a strawberry roan TWH named strawberry, shes also why I love mares. She was an absolute saint! My mare now I can’t say the same, I had to fix three fence boards and cut off her rope halter yesterday because of her being a crackhead while standing tied... thoroughbreds...

[@mamafarmbear2]

What about the South Carolina state horse? The Marsh Tacky with their swamp fox?

[@kevinarmentrout4117]

I learned to ride on a gaited horse. Nice ride.....

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Awesome! Do you remember which breed?

[@kevinarmentrout4117]

Tennessee Walker

[@sigridvanosch1990]

I learned to ride on icelandics when I was 6. I love them so much.

[@rossanamartinez7952]

Do you have information about Paso Fino horses?

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

you FORGOT the American SADDLEBRED!! worlds most beautiful horse, and gaited too!

[@dorothyvandergriff2332]

What about the Spotted Saddle horse? I have one; she is the smoothest ride ever

[@MrPerry61]

I had an18 yr old Missouri fox trotter palomino mare. She hated to just walk, her natural gait was that quick smooth trot, for her age she would out pace most other horses on trail rides.

[@bernadettecartin]

I'm in PA. My sister had a great pony she'd take on weekend trail rides to different places. She said on the mountain trail rides, the gaited horses had to go separate from the "regular" horses because when they got into doing their thing, they were too fast for the regular horses to walk with but not quite trotting, so the regular horses were always out of sync with them.

[@lobsangchompel738]

Its Really beautiful. Watch Tehor horse festival of TIBET.Our tibetan horse has all 5 GATES.

[@bootsinglefooters]

i didnt see the the american saddlebred

[@onedering3144]

Beautiful horses: are some of the gaited breeds considered a "hotter" than others?

[@virginiascully4391]

I grew up on American Saddle Horse and it is indigenous to America too. In fact they and The TWH are from the same base stock. 🤷‍♀️

[@luadraponies]

Connection to the standard bred with the racking…same gait as a pacer.

[@lr5425]

You did not mention the Peruvian Paso Fino and the Paso Fino. I own a Peruvian Paso and live in the mountains of Peru. They are naturally gaited.

[@glendacisneros982]

Wow! I'd love to see one!!!

[@shellyoppen5308]

I have a grey Foxtrotter. Xena

[@alexisforrest2662]

Tennessee walker named Powers Glory

[@david_fl507]

i have heard some horrific stories about how t walkers are trained to make their movements. thoughts? opinions?

[@jordanwhite5470]

I live in TN. Very very few TWH's are trained/abused the way they were in the past, thank God. The horses themselves are awesome in their natural state!!

[@david_fl507]

@@jordanwhite5470 great to hear JW! thanks.

[@jasminechen009]

what about the american saddlebred?

[@jordanwhite5470]

Saddlebreds do not have the natural gaited movements of the horses mentioned in the video. They normally just walk/trot/canter, & no head shake. Due to their conformation, they're naturally high-headed, which actually makes some people nervous. Some can be trained to rack, but it's not a natural thing for them. I learned to ride on Saddlebreds and love them, but true gaited horses are much more comfortable to ride.

[@cherylhill9350]

Love, love, love that view through the ears!! Always been used to riding Arabians, so looking through my new Rocky Mountain horses ears will be a dream...❤

[@gmwwc]

There are a LOT of Racking horses that came largely from the Standardbred lines. They are usually called Single Footers because at one point they have a single foot on the ground. They have been bred here in the USA but there is no registry for them that I know of. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g36Th6d7d52AgZY

[@robgrune3284]

isn't the Saddlebred a gaited horse? what about the Peruvian horses?

[@danabromelmeier5413]

What is meant by ,”watch breed”?

[@cherylhill9350]

Could be endangered.....😊

[@bootsinglefooters]

i didnt see the american standardbred

[@aremedyproject9569]

Once you go gaited you never go back.

[@dianereiser6417]

You never want a gaited horse with a high head and a hollow back, it causes kissing spine and other ailments.

[@karenhawthorne5869]

Love your videos!!!!! Please, the pronunciations are "App-uh-LATCH-uh" and App-uh-LATCH-un. Thanks!!

[@SqkTap]

Isn’t it hard on their feet and knees? sad

[@cindyj5522]

One of the things that bothers me about the way Americans view horses is that they see them as tools. Animals that "you can do anything you want with." The ownership overpowers the relationship. Your mention of abusive and even 'illegal" treatment says a lot about it. "Using horses." Don't glorify this. It's really rather sickening.

[@thecaliokieconnexion]

That isn’t what the girl means by “ using horses” what that phrase means is that the horse has a level head. In other words they are sensible, they don’t spook easily, and so they are safe for people to ride and do various types of things with in different environments. In contrast, Some horses temperaments can be too hot. They spook easily and lose their nerve… they might be beautiful to look at, and fancy, but you can’t take them riding outside of an arena…. They or a familiar paddock, or let a child ride them… it just isn’t safe. “ using horse” means they are more versatile because of the fact that they keep their cool. A “ non using horse” means they are just for show… maybe even just for halter shows which basically is a Beauty pageant. Do you want I spouse who does practical things around the house, cares for the kids, cooks great meals, earns money for the family and loves to go do lots of different fun activities with you, your friends and the kids and other relatives??? That is like a “ using horse “ or would would you rather have a spouse that can’t do any of that for some reason…, but sure is attractive physically??? That is a “ non using horse” ( spousal equivalent. ) long time ago there were some practices in the show ring, with certain breeds that later were outlawed because over time got to thinking about it and realize they practices were unkind. People in the individual show organization or breed associations kindly “outlawed” the practices to be sure and not encourage unkind practices. The practices made the horse look appealing to judges in the ring. The practices were not made illegal by the government, that isn’t what they mean by outlawed. They were made “ illegal” by the show association, or the breed registry, to be sure and only encourage kindness towards these horses. Don’t judge others or be predjudiced about people or groups you don’t know, please. It is unkind.

[@callienn]

Alyssa was referring to the Big Lick competitions that use abusive and illegal methods to encourage a big stride with high lifted legs in Tennessee walkers. Its horrific and horse lovers in America have been working for a long time to get the competitions completely outlawed, with criminal charges against trainers who do this to the horses. She needed to reference that otherwise it would have been the elephant in the room in that segment. I think she did well to remind viewers to separate the horse from the abusive practice they are associated with. I don't know where you get this judgement, but as an American who was a horse owner, all the horse owners I know loved their horses and cared for them very well.