Why gaited horses? 

It's pretty simple. We're like Harley riders who don't have to go fast anymore to prove anything. Been there. Done that. I want to go down the trail in total comfort and 99.9 percent safety. My body shouldn't have to brace every time the horse hits an obstacle. His gait should absorb it so my body doesn't have to. I want to glide and watch sunsets without the sun bouncin up and down.

The mechanics of a gaited horse 

Without getting anatomically technical, the non-gaited horse trots with two opposite feet working in unison. It sounds and feels like "chug-chug-chug-chug" or "1-2-1-2" with pretty long spaces between each chug or count. The longer the space the more jarring it is to your spine. On a gaited horse, its legs do not work together. Each one gets an independent beat. The more even the beat, the smoother the ride. This means twice as many footsteps absorbing the shock. So it sounds like "Chug-A-Chug-A-Chug-A-Chug" or "1-and-2-and-1-and-2." Bottom line,the extra beat busts up the bounce.

The temperament of a gaited horse

Don't be fooled. Every breeder describes their horses as the gentlest, most sane, trainable, surefooted and versatile. It's all marketing hype. Generally speaking, the Tennessee Walker and the Missouri Fox Trotter are easy going types but so are quarter horses and drafts. It depends on how a horse was started, its breeding and the calm and knowledge of its handlers. You need to trust the consistency of trainers and sellers in the horses they choose to represent. 90 percent of our horses are low-keyed babysitter types that will give you more speed, when asked. 10 percent are more spirited for trail ride leaders and fox hunters following the hounds.