What Can I Do to Make My Saddle Horse Step Higher?

Saddle horse breeds, such as the Saddlebred and the Spotted Saddle horse, are naturally gaited. This means that, in addition to the basic walk, trot, canter and gallop, these horses should also have the ability to perform four-beat lateral gaits, such as the rack. To teach your young horse how to rack properly, you may have to encourage it to pick its feet up higher than it does when it is moving naturally in the pasture.

  1. Natural Talent

    • Make sure your horse has the natural ability to gait. If your horse does not have the natural tendency to perform a lateral gait, you will be wasting your time trying to teach it. A lateral gait occurs when both limbs on the same side of the horse move in sync. The pace and the rack are the lateral gaits most commonly associated with saddle horses. In most cases, you should be able to see your horse moving in a lateral gait in the pasture or under saddle if it has the ability to do so. If you are unsure about your horse's abilities, contact an experienced trainer and have your horse's gaits and conformation evaluated.

    Add Weight Where Weight is Needed

    • Watch your horse rack or pace from the ground. Observe which legs the horse needs to raise higher when it gaits (i.e., the front or the back). Add weight to the legs that you want the horse to raise higher with each step. If the horse gaits easily and naturally, put shoes on the front feet. If the horse seems to want to trot rather than gait, put shoes on its rear feet.

    Weighted Horse Shoes and Chains

    • Add weights and chains as needed. Place weighted horse shoes and chains on your saddle horse to increase the amount of effort it puts into each step, raising the steps higher and causing the gait to appear more dramatic.

    Cautions

    • Some people think that placing weighted shoes and chains on horses to change their gaits is an undesirable practice that creates unnatural, man-made gaits. It is advisable to discuss methods of changing your horse's gait with both your horse trainer and your veterinarian before you add weights, weighted horse shoes or chains to your horse's regular training regime.