Are different skills and tack required to ride a gaited horse?
Since gaited horses move differently, they do require a slightly different approach to riding under saddle. The main thing to remember is that gaited horses are rear wheel drive and their shoulders need to be free of restrictive pressure. It is important to make sure the saddle doesn t sit on their shoulder blades or prevent them from rolling their shoulders in gait. This can be extremely uncomfortable for the horse, and at times, very painful if the saddle pinches their shoulders. Ultimately, it will interfere with their gait. A majority of gaited horses have a shorter back than non-gaited horses. Saddles that have a longer skirt can interfere with their hips, causing discomfort. There is an increasing number of saddles on the market now designed specifically for gaited horses. Even though they allow for shoulder and hip movement, don t assume that it will fit you and your horse perfectly. Every horse and rider is unique and needs to be evaluated for correct saddle fit individually. B
