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Click here to see articles on gaited horses what makes them gait, and the history of the gaited appaloosa
The "Gaited Horse" is an equine that has a very smooth gait that is
different from that of most horses. Gaits performed by various breeds run the
gamut of a four beat lateral gait to a four beat diagonal pattern, but they all
have one thing in common, a comfortable ride!
Predisposition to gait is genetically inherited, and basically a horse that is
strongly gaited has had this strengthened by generations of breeding until the
tendency to trot has been replaced by an intermediate gait with a natural four
beat rhythm.
Each individual horse will have a different quality of gait, just as trotting
horses of the same breed can have different qualities of a trot! The
smoothness of gait is influenced by many variables, these include genetically
inherited predisposition for gait, conformation attributes to facilitate gait
and training.
Why is Gait comfortable?
The human body will adjust to the movement of a gaited horse much more readily
than the movement of the trot. Most gaits are a derivative of the natural
equine walk and the motion perceived by the rider causes the human pelvis to
move in the same way it does when we walk. As the human being lifts each
foot off the ground and swings it forward there is a corresponding lift and
forward shift of the pelvis on the same side. The motion felt from the
saddle when riding a horse in gait is the same, a slight lift and forward arc.
The trot has a moment of suspension then impact, which has no natural equivalent
in the human being. It is also rather hard on the joints and soft tissues of the
human body.
Why do horses Gait?
Most gaited breeds require that the performance of that breeds unique gait be
natural from birth. Most of the breeds have a conformation type that
predisposition's the horse to perform their natural gait. Some of the
conformation attributes that are specific for gaiting include:
 | Neck placement so that the neck rises from the withers at a higher angle than that of non gaited breeds, with the neck " tying in" much lower in the chest of the horse. |
| A steeper shoulder angle than non gaited breeds which helps to produce a smoother ride. Many gaited breeds are "cow hocked" more than seen in non gaited breeds. This seems to go along with the need to drop the hindquarters, driving from the rear which is necessary for a gaited horse. |
Are Gaited horses ridden differently?
The gaited horse has to lighten the fore hand and engage the hind quarters to
gait. Many styles of riding and styles of saddles that are used on trotting
horses encourages the riders weight to be forward, over the horses shoulders, as
that is the easiest place for a trotting horse to carry the extra weight. It is
exactly the opposite for a gaited horse, weight over the shoulders makes it more
difficult for them to maintain gait. To assist their horses in maintaining gait,
some gaited horse riders will lean back, thrusting their legs and feet forward
for good measure. When a horse gaits, you will feel the withers rise, but unlike
the trot, the horses back remains concave. The more vertical, forward
weight placement of trotting horse equitation is enough to impair the elevation
of the withers when the horse is asked to gait. A rider needs to assume a
balanced seat, with the upper body SLIGHTLY behind true vertical (1/2 inch is
often enough) and the heels an equal distance in front of the vertical.
Will all gaited breeds gait naturally?
A well bred gaited horse will initiate their gait when asked for the
intermediate speed. But if the rider or the saddle are not conducive
to maintaining the gait by placement or weight distribution, the horse will
revert to a trot or pace (depending on the horses natural inclination).
Copyright © 1998 Beverly Whittington
History of the Gaited Appaloosa
The Appaloosa's heritage is as colorful and unique as its coat pattern. Usually noticed and recognized because of its spots and splashes of color, the abilities and beauty of this breed are more than skin deep.Appaloosas are found in nearly every discipline. Setting speed records on the race track, excelling at advanced levels of dressage, jumping, games, reining, roping, pleasure, endurance and as gentle family horses - any of these roles can be filled by the versatile Appaloosa. Their eager-to-please attitudes and gentle dispositions make them a pleasure to work with in any area.
Humans have recognized and appreciated the spotted horse throughout history. Ancient cave drawings as far back as 20,000 years ago in what is now France depict spotted horses, as do detailed images in Asian and 17th-century Chinese art.
The Spanish introduced horses to North America as they explored the American continents. Eventually, as these horses found their way into the lives of Indians and were traded to other tribes, their use spread until most of the Native American populations in the Northwest were mounted (about 1710).
The Nez Perce of Washington, Oregon and Idaho became especially sophisticated horsemen, and their mounts, which included many spotted individuals, were prized and envied by other tribes. Historians believe they were the first tribe to breed selectively for specific traits - intelligence and speed - keeping the best, and trading away those that were less desirable.
When white settlers came to the Northwest Palouse region, they called the spotted horses "Palouse horses" or "a Palouse horse." Over time the name was shortened and slurred to "Appalousey" and finally "Appaloosa."
During the Nez Perce War of the late 1800's, Appaloosa horses helped the Nez Perce avoid battles and elude the U.S. Cavalry for several months. The tribe fled over 1,300 miles of rugged, punishing terrain under the guidance of the famed Chief Joseph. When they were defeated in Montana, their surviving horses were surrendered to soldiers, left behind or dispersed to settlers. Nothing was done to preserve the Appaloosa until 1938, when a group of dedicated horsemen formed the Appaloosa Horse Club for the preservation and improvement of the diminishing spotted horse.
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