Freedom to Gait
Release Your Horse Into Natural Easy-Gaits
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Every rider should learn to perfect RELEASE if you wish to be a successful communicator with your horse. You should always try to immediately give some kind of release whenever you get a positive action from your horse and in this way strengthen his understanding of the correct and desired movement. Until we release the cue our horse has no clear idea what we want of him. All of his responses are just guessing until we tell him “Yes” by releasing the cue. For this reason release is vital to training any horse... The greatest gift you can give your horse and yourself is training him to softly follow the bit. Bit training is both an investment in, as well as a kindness to, your horse. Contrary to popular belief, the bit should never be considered a brake or a steering wheel. It is a subtle tool to be used to direct, instruct, and at times to contain forward energy. It is your tool to communicate to your horse how you would like him to carry his head and sometimes to direct him in focusing his energy. No horse should ever leave the training arena until you have him listening and responsive to bit communications. I simply cannot stress this enough. A bit should never be used to create pain or discomfort, nor to routinely attempt to control a horse, but for communication and direction of how we wish the horse to carry the area of his body in front of his shoulders.... By far, our primary responsibility to this partnership is our horse’s comfort. This covers everything from the health and soundness of our horse to the equipment we expect him to work with. In a nutshell it is our responsibility to be certain that he is able to fulfill his responsibility without discomfort, pain or stress. He will never fully trust or engage with you emotionally if he is unsure about your commitment to his comfort and well-being... If there is one most important thought that is worth restating about natural horsemanship it’s that Horse training is 100% patience plus 100% persistence. Remember that you’re dealing with a creature who communicates non-verbally through body language, and you need to learn to speak his language. To cross this language barrier takes a calm acceptance that it will not happen overnight, and while it’s natural to feel frustration at times, if you ever get so tense that you cannot relax your face and whistle, it’s time for a break. Look for the positives in every workout. Appreciate that these animals have both good and bad days just as we do, but as long as you feel they are willing and trying to play your game you should be happy. Find satisfaction in a journey that is both a challenge and a reward. Anything worth having is worth working for...
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About the Book
Knowledge is the key to solutions. Communications are the key to partnership. With these objectives, Anita Howe has given us a road map to understanding the gaited horse; to work in partnership and be gifted with all the natural gaits within them. • Part I of Freedom to Gait gives you the knowledge of equine biomechanics as it relates to gait. This fundamental understanding of how your horse carries and uses himself readily shows you what is needed for him to release his natural gaiting abilities. • Part II gives you the tools of communication and partnership you'll need to engage his mind for a willing and eager partner that offers you his gait. • Part III combines the knowledge of biomechanics and the tools of communication to provide you with a step by step training plan, to determine where your horse is experiencing difficulty and how you can help him naturally correct and release his carriage, balance and gait. Anita addresses a variety of the most commonly seen gait problems as well as dedicating a full chapter on developing the canter in your gaited horse. • Part IV focuses on the walking horses and their particular needs of impulsion and balance at gait to help those who wish to develop their horse’s athletic brilliance and show potential. Learn how your walking horse can achieve greater athleticism and brilliance at gait, soundly and humanely, using this willing and caring partnership to offer, build and polish his gait without mechanical gimmicks or influences.
About the Author
"Honest gait comes from balance, posture and impulsion, never from what’s on the horse’s feet." Making a commitment many years ago to never train gaited horses shod in anything heavier than keg shoes opened a door for this Missouri trainer by taking away the traditional crutches others routinely fall back on. Movement affected through mechanical aids doesn’t last and is often detrimental to a horse, while classical and natural horsemanship allows him to brilliantly improve every year he's ridden. By adding the biomechanics of gait to a love of natural horsemanship Anita has developed consistent solutions for gaited horses that reliably correct and improve balance, gait and athleticism. As a trainer and clinician Anita has a growing reputation for producing horses that are softer, more consistent, happier and more correct in their movement, while teaching riders to better understand these biomechanics as the natural tools to help their horses release their inherent gait potential.