Training Gaited Endurance Horse for vet check "Trot Out"

Quite a Sugarfoot is a registered Tennessee Walking Horse. I am training her for endurance riding -- where the field is dominated by Arabians. There are many gaited horses, like Sugarfoot, on the endurance circuit today.

In this video, I am training her to do the "trot out" that she will do at endurance vet checks. The "trot-out" is necessary before an endurance ride & during the ride so that the vets can tell if a horse is sound & fit to continue. In this video, she is doing a beautiful flat-walk at first (that I'm sure the vets might appreciate but not accept at the vet check), but I finally get her to trot like she is supposed to.

Most people don't know that walkers trot -- as Sugarfoot is doing in her "trot out". She also run-walks, paces, racks & does the stepping pace.

At the vet check "trot out", gaited horses don't have to trot for the vets -- as long as they show the vets a nice middle gait. Sugarfoot's gait at "trot out" just happens to be a trot. Many gaited horses gait (rack, run-walk, pace, etc.) at the vet checks.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• gaited
• endurance
• horses
• tennessee
• walking
• horse
• training
• trot
• out
• riding

[scienceteacherSE]

I'm in my fifth year of endurance riding. My children and I use several different breeds of gaited horses. Some, like my Fino - don't trot period. Some, like my main mount (mix) have seven different gaits and you never know which she'll do! And I've found that even if they'll trot out at home (or at the public equine parks we train at) - doesn't mean they'll do it in the chaos of vet check well.

Best advice. Find the more experienced vet. Stay with the SAME vet throughout the ride if you can

[sugarfoottevis]

Thanks for the advice! I just finished my first year in limited distance endurance and had a really great season. Sugarfoot top tenned several times in the 25 & 30 mile LD's.

I have found that even though Sugarfoot usually trots at the vet check trot out, she sometimes paces. Sometimes she will trot out and pace back! So I always tell the vet that she is gaited before we start - just in case. The vets in our region seem very gaited horse friendly. She has a fantastic rack in competition.

[piaffethis]

She has a very nice trot! I've found that most Walkers who can trot do. Does she have a trot button under saddle? Good luck on the endurance! I am looking to do CTR's on a Walker as well as gaited Dressage.

[sugarfoottevis]

Sugarfoot does have a trot button under the saddle somewhere! When doing the trot out during competition, she will either trot or pace. I never know which she is going to do, and when she paces, the vets don't know quite what to do, either! LOL!

She will trot under saddle, and has a HUGE trot, but I prefer her to gait. She has a fast & smooth rack. However, I don't totally discourage her trot under saddle as it can come in handy in mountainous terrain on occasion.

[LaRanaTJ]

The comment about no eye contact is good. Lead her from the shoulder that way you can drive her forward, rather than ´dragging´ her behind you, using the end of the lead rope for a little flick at the tail if necessary. Always turn her away from you, less broken toes (!). Good luck with your endurance career. I am starting out an Appaloosa stallion this year and previously competed on an 18 year-old PRE mare. Love arabians, but who says they dominate endurance?!?!

[Ntrlhrsgrl]

lol! Horsey dont want to trot!

[slidebrain]

use a buggy whip to get her to move out. tap her behind you . turn you around the horse not the horse around you. She should be alert and immediately response. Vets. want a rather fast gait so she'll smooth out. At least thats what they tell me.

Cindy king

[KJSBSJA]

try keeping a bit closer to ur horse nd ccarry a stick for a tap on the bum. and dont go round. set a course coz other wise the horse dnt no where on earths its meant to be goin duz it

[Carlosforgiven]

Good Job! Now just practice saying. "she is gaited, she will not trot" Is she a mft or twh?

Where do you endurance her?

Keith and Sandy Kibler

Shawnee Sunrise Farm

Gaited Endurance