Bring Your Questions! No one goes home with unanswered
gait questions. We talk about all aspects of gaited horses:
Please note that we do not discuss shoeing the gaited horse because shoeing is not for gait. Shoeing is for hoof protection ONLY. We train the horse to find and carry his naturally bred in gait.
Host your own Open or Private Clinic... Customize your clinic to target the needs of your group and get the
most help and advice for your money. It becomes your choice how many, how long and whether or not to open your clinic to auditors.
1 day, Basic - "What is my horse doing and how can I help" introduction to gait series. In this one day clinic we discuss basic biomechanics of gait, focus on gait identification from both the ground and the saddle and the importance of natural/classical horsemanship in working with our horses. We explore how riders help or hinder the natural gaiting abilities of their horses.
2 day, Complete - "Learning the Tools of Gait Correction" (basic plus) Two full days where you will work extensively with your horse, learning how to help him find natural gait, why and where he goes
wrong, and what it will take for him to become more automatic in his gaiting. Includes in depth analysis of biomechanics, extensive evaluation and development of a "training plan" to improve his strengths along with his balance as you polish his natural gaiting abilities through classical exercises.
1 or 2 day, Advanced - "Refining the Gaits" a more advanced clinic specifically geared for walking horse riders who have already attended previous clinics or to add on to the Complete clinic. For riders who are ready to further polish and refine the fundamental walking horse gaits and/or learn to develop the canter in their gaited horse.
half-day, Preparing for the Ring with your Naturally Gaited Horse designed specifically for those who wish to explore the show ring or to improve their horse for showing. We will cover ring etiquette as well as areas that traditionally trip up gaited horses; grooming; prior preparation and traveling with your horse.
So Bring Your Questions! My goal is to help you where you need help most, not simply give you a prepared lecture. If you have questions I want to address them and I encourage open discussions, particularly in the smaller group format.
A la carte topics may be added to any of the above clinic structures as our time allows. You may, for instance, wish to host a "Basic" clinic but add a second day for private instruction for a smaller group or choose from among the optional topics below. Much of the natural horsemanship, biomechanics and bitting/saddle fit is included in all of the clinic structures above.
I can help you understand the fundamentals of gait biomechanics and start you toward a better relationship with your horse...A relationship where you simply "ask" him and he "gives" you his best, natural gait. Natural/classical horsemanship opens communication between horse and rider. Too often riders unintentionally inhibit their horses natural ability, rather than release the horse to seek out his own bred-in gait and working with him to improve it.
I am now offering group instruction because of my intense passion to share with others the simple, basic techniques that work consistently in helping gaited horses find their bred-in abilities. The TWH and other gaited breeds deserve to find their way back from an era of "fix it" gait training, to the point where we can proudly display our gaited horses, keg shod or barefoot along side of any other well trained breed in any venue.
Optional 60-90 minute topics available as time and schedule allows -
What YOU can do to help calm your horse and get him THINKING better
Improving the canter on your gaited horse... We get rid of the myth that "gaited horses don't canter"
Trouble free trailer loading - teaching your horse to load himself.
Side-pass and stand for mounting (a favorite with everyone especially those with TALL horses)
Developing the Naturally Brilliant keg-shod or barefoot show horse
Taking to the trail with your gaited horse
Graph of Easy-Gaits ---> 
Clinic costs: Whether you have a small, private group or a larger club, Anita can help you structure a clinic that will give you the benefits you want while keeping costs affordable.
For larger groups or clubs I offer an all inclusive "per rider" rate, where your group simply provides the location and covers any expenses associated with it; I take care of all my own expenses and each rider pays me directly to participate. Per rider rates are contingent on a minimum number of 6 riders up to a maximum number of 10 riders per day of clinic.
One day of clinic = $150 per rider per day
Two days of clinic and/or private lessons = $130 per rider per day
Three days of clinic and/or private lessons = $120 per rider per day
It is YOUR decision whether to allow auditors and your added profit. I welcome all auditors and charge nothing for as many as your facility can safely handle. Multiple days of clinic can continue to build upon the previous day's instruction keeping the same participants OR repeat with all new riders/participants. I am flexible after the first 6 hours of clinic for optional topics to be structured as you wish.
Smaller groups may consider a Private Clinic to get more hands-on time for each rider...
$500 per day plus travel expenses, for a maximum of 8 participants.
Travel expenses include lodging, mileage and tolls, or airfare and parking .
Unlimited auditors as you desire.
$300 for an additional morning or afternoon session only on the day of my travel.
All Clinics require a booking deposit of $100 at time of scheduling.
While I have bred, raised, ridden, and successfully shown Tennessee Walking Horses, a very multi-gaited breed of horse, I am experienced in training the following gaited breeds as well:
SSH
MFT
RMH/UMH
Icelandic's
Racking horses
Anita has been successfully training gaited horses and their riders on natural gait correction for many years and has encountered dozens of horses brought in with statements like "There's no fixing this horse!". Well now there is!
If you're local to the Kansas City area and would like to utilize the facilities at Howe They Walk Farm for a clinic, we can accommodate a private group. Please email or call for details.
Please email Anita at ajh@howetheywalk.com or phone 816-686-7748 for more details, schedule availability and currently scheduled clinics.
Happy Gaiting,
Anita Howe
