Don't buy into the myth that the only way your horse will gait is by framing, force or mechanical manipulation. That is the "old school" of performance gaiting. Correct, natural gait hasnothing to do with what is nailed on your horse's feet, or how severe the bit is in his mouth. Natural horsemanship is all about teaching your horse to find and carry his own, effortless and balanced gait that he's been bred for. Gaited horses have the inherent ability to perform their easy gaits within their own conformational limits. Like a car with many gears, often gaited horses are so versatile in their movements that it can be difficult to help them find their best, and smoothest, easy-gait and stick with it. Just remember it is the horse's responsibility to give us his natural gait, but it isourresponsibility to know how to ask him for it.
Natural training creates freedom for the rider to maintain a balanced and independent seat, and stay out of the horse's mouth; it also frees the horse to move unencumbered in relaxed comfort by allowing him to achieve self-carriage. The vast majority of "problems" that horse owners complain of can be directly related to some kind of discomfort experienced by the horse. When you help the horse move in comfort his natural gait can shine through. This is vitally important because only through comfort and self-carriage can any gaited horse become truly balanced.
"Without balance a horse's athleticism will be always be compromised."
Our 10 yr old stallion is a Three-Time National English Pleasure Grand-Champion. He has won this impressive title at the F.O.S.H. North American Pleasure Walking Horse National Championships in 2002, 2003 and again in 2006! He also has 4 other National Championship and Grand-champion titles to his credit. Papa's blue ribbon wins are well into triple digits at this point, and our focus is now turning to what he can sire. All his offspring are showing natural, multi-gaited, loose movement that epitomizes a great walking horse. His oldest, Gracie, is now consistently winning in the show ring, and all of his babies that have been started so far are demonstrating amazing natural running walk ability, as well as that superb and effortless, rocking chair canter.See video here of "Papa's Graceful Spirit". This amazing young filly shows that Papa is a "proven" sire.
Papa is helping us bring back the solid conformation and "authentically correct gaits" of the foundation walking horse to our breeding program. We're striving for horses that gait as soon as they're started under saddle with long loose stride and natural athletic aptitude. Confident, calm and willing attitude comes in a close second to our emphasis on natural gaiting talent. Like foundation greats such as Roan Allan, Papa will hit 7 different gaits under saddle; this is thefoundation purposeof this breed, and what Papa is passing on...Right along with his confident and "no worries" temperament.
I am happy to offer natural gait training and correction to outside horses here at our farm. Let me help your horse learn to carry himself in a correct, smooth and naturally fluid gait, and help you understand your role as his rider. I do not start green horses under saddle other than our own here at Howe They Walk Farm. My focus is entirely on those horses that will immediately benefit from gait correction instruction or other specific training needs that I agree with the owner would be appropriate. I normally take only 3 to 4 outside horses at any one time, working with them on average of 60 - 90 days toward specifically set goals. The owners are encouraged to join in the lessons as much as possible before the horses return home.
Please see my "training" page for specific requirements for horses coming to Howe They Walk Farm for training.
I also offer individual coaching for riders working to improve the gaits of their own horse as well as gain a better understanding of natural gaited riding and communications. I understand that not all owners want someone else to train their horse for them, but may need advice to achieve the gait they know their horse is capable of.
We don't sell a lot of horses, but those few we do are correctly gaited and will be presented to you accurately. Our goal is to find the perfect FOREVER home for each horse, and that means we try our best to match the rider's needs, desires and abilities to the right horse for them.
We welcome you to come on in to take a look at our horses for sale. We're very proud of them and will sell them only to people that will love them, care for them and are as excited about owning them as we are. People who will value the trust these horses have been raised to have in us. They each love and respect people and are totally comfortable with the roles we have in their lives. They've been helped to find their natural gaits and carry the rider in balance and without support.
Please note: if you're looking for a bargain horse, save yourself some time...we don't sell them. We take pride in putting a lot of time, effort and love into these horses. We also give them the best in feed, supplements, wormers, vaccinations, veterinary and farrier care. Our guys are sound, well cared for and handled daily. That kind of trust and care doesn't come with a bargain price tag.
Our 10 yr old stallion is a 
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