Author, Trainer, Clinician Anita Howe presents
Natural Training for Gaited Horses | ||||||
The Running Walk (Go Here to view running walk video) The running walk is a gait that was bred into the walking horse and avidly trained for as the breed developed in the late 1800's and early 1900's and became the most desired choice for traveling salesmen, plantation owners, itinerant doctors and preachers who needed to cover many miles each day. These people realized the benefits of a smooth, ground covering and energy efficient gait on a horse that could continue almost tirelessly in a relaxed, mile-eating stride. The breed developed from crossing long-striding pacers with sturdy trotter breeds to have a horse that was multi-faceted, loose moving as well as calm natured. In recent decades however, much of the breeding practices have evolved toward the performance show horse who's gait have been artificially enhanced for the show ring. Unfortunately, the characteristics that made this horse such a prize for both work and pleasure in the past were seen less and less, along with those trainers who understood how to develop the horses for their natural gaiting abilities. So much so, in fact, that there is tremendous confusion today, even among those who own and breed these horses about exactly how a walking horse should be gaiting! Many owners are not certain that their horses are performing this gait correctly. Some claim that the running walk is a lateral gait, while others will say that it is more toward the diagonal. The reality is that it is neither. It is an evenly timed, square, four cornered gait also called "isochronal"; that with light collection in a neutral frame allows the horse to use it's head and shoulders in counter-balance to drive the backend with a "pump-handle" head nodding motion. You should hear an even "thump-thump-thump-thump" as it strides along, each foot lifting and hitting in even and independent timing. When the horse is correctly executing a flatfoot walk the sound is often so bold and pronounced that it's hard to believe that the horse is simply walking as each footfall hits flat with a resounding "thump". The head-shake is most prominent during the flatfoot walk as the slower tempo allows a deeper motion while the horse extends in it's mighty stride. The running walk then carries that same form and speeds up the tempo. As that happens the head-shake must become more shallow at the faster tempo, but should still be evident and always from the shoulder, never from the poll. It is the neutral spine carriage and the even timing of the footfalls that allow the horse to work it's head in such a pronounced, bold rhythm. The neutral spine plus the relaxed and rolling hips and shoulders allow the head and neck weight to counterbalance and drive the rear "power engine" of the back legs. If the horse gets tense; locks the spine, the hips or the shoulders, then the gait changes. Even if it remains even in timing it will become more racky as the horse will begin to suspend it's weight from hoof to hoof rather than have the relaxed and energy efficient weight transfer of a true walk. This tension will immediately cause the head to cease it's headnod, it's power will no longer be driving the backend. This is why the old saying is still as true today as ever "If he ain't noddin', he ain't walkin'!" The over-all picture of a correctly executed running walk becomes one of smooth, effortless and rolling forward motion. It is evident that it is pleasurable for both the horse and the rider. The neutral carriage allows the horse to remain relaxed with no wasted energy on suspension. In this manor dozens of miles can be covered with much less tiring than other breeds and other gaits. The running walk should never be considered a speed gait. It is the most energy efficient manor that a horse can propel himself over great distances when alternating with the flatfoot walk for recovery. The weight transfer from foot to foot is smooth and without any suspension (jog) as a walk should be. The horse wastes no effort in moving his weight up, only forward. The hoof support during the stride rotation in both a correctly executed flatfoot walk and running walk is 2 feet--3 feet--2 feet--3 feet. While the flatfoot walk is usually considered to be about 3 - 4 mph, a running walk should be slightly more than double that speed, staying at about 7-10 mph depending on the size, conformation and development of the horse, but should never lose form. ***To exceed those speeds a horse needs to increase the tension of his spine and starts suspending himself (jogging) to cover more ground more quickly. This tense/locked frame most often creates a hollow carriage and alters the gait into a pace, or a rack, while the more rounded top lines push the horse more toward . One thing is common, however, that locked frame and upward suspension always results in wasted energy! It is with horses moving in this incorrect manor that many trainers of today will attempt to mechanically modify the gait using weighted shoes, abnormal hoof angles or severe bitting trying to create more front lift and "break up" the lateral pace to smooth out the ride. You cannot mechanically create a correct running walk through artificial manipulation. Further, once a horse has been taught to move in this framed up manner you must retrain him to correctly carry himself. Few trainers have the knowledge and feel needed to do this and will instead attempt to again "fix" the horse using the artificial means. Once you know what to look for it is easy to spot a horse moving in correct timing, even from a simple photo. Correct timing Don't be lured into attempting gait manipulation through hoof alteration. Horses can gait easier with naturally short toes, either barefoot or keg shod, and using snaffle bits and mild curbs. Anything else simply inhibits natural, athletic movement. We believe that too many people actually interfere with their horse's ability to move correctly with well-intentioned efforts to manufacture gait as this is the only advice they've been given. At Howe They Walk Farm, we have dedicated ourselves to reclaiming the signature pleasure gaits of this breed, as well as to educating people in how to train and develop it naturally with their own horses. We stress that it is the horse who must learn to carry himself in a balanced and lightly collected posture to carry a correct flatfoot walk, running walk and rocking chair canter in the relaxed and energy efficient manor that has always been the foundation of this breed. If a trainer is using restrictive tack to "bind the horse into his frame" or feels the need to use weighted shoes, unsound hoof angles and severe bits to "help" a horse gait correctly, they are greatly missing the mark, and you should look elsewhere for advice. Don't despair! Contrary to popular belief, each of these horses has the ability to perform these gaits within their conformational limits. Some will do it quicker and with less training; some will do it bigger, stride further and with more animation, and some may take some patience on your part to help them find it, having developed all the wrong muscles for many years, but they can all do it! Unfortunately, much of the present day breeding practices wrongly focus on the pacing horse, in hopes improving prospects for the performance show horse: to the extent that many of the walking horses of today are predisposed to falling into the pacing posture at a time when the trainers who understand exactly how these horses need to move, are seriously few. The number of walking horses incorrectly pacing, step-pacing or racking are vast, with both breeding and incorrect riding methods contributing to this epidemic. They can be taught or retrained with patience. Educate yourself first on what your horse should be doing, then how to go about helping him to do it. We encourage anyone considering breeding walking horses to look first and foremost to natural gaiting ability, for the sake of the horses. Good luck on your journey to learn and let us help if we can. Feel free to contact us with your questions. (Go Here to view running walk video) by Anita Howe
| new from Author House Publishing
GAIT TRAINING ARTICLES new: TWH Gaits
| |||||
| ||||||
will always have the front and rear strides working evenly and independently. When a rear foot touches down, meaning they are at their point of "weight transfer", the front feet should be precisely in mid-stride, where both front hooves will be directly below the point of the shoulder; one weight bearing, the other non-weight bearing. Correspondingly, the rear hooves should be exactly in mid-stride beneath the point of the hip, when the front hooves are at their "weight transfer" moment. Both of the above stances are "3 feet on the ground" moments.
