Does your gaited horse prefer to pace/step pace or trot, rather than perform his smooth gaits? First, note that he might be having trouble because he's experiencing discomfort, which causes stiffness. Such discomfort can arise from poor-fitting tack, teeth problems, and/or improper trimming. Address these problems with your veterinarian and farrier before you begin this retraining regimen.
If your horse is healthy and comfortable, he might be disinclined to gait because a pace/step pace or trot is simply easier. Here, I'll tell you how to retrain the pacing/step pacing horse, then I'll address the trotting horse.
Retrain the Pace/Step Pace
Retraining your pacing/step pacing horse can be a challenge. While these lateral (same-side), shuffle-like gaits are murder on his body over the long term, they're extremely easy to perform; in fact, almost hypnotic in their movement. He needs to quit this habit cold turkey. Don't allow him to take one step of the pace/step pace. Do perform the following exercises.
Step 1. Determine the gait. If your horse is in a pace/step pace, his head will swing side to side, rather than up and down. He also might hold his head either very high or in an overtuck position, in a type of false collection. Plus, he might feel stiff as a plank. Have a friend videotape you while you ride. Then study the tape to see the precise characteristics your horse exhibits when he paces; that is his lateral sets of legs move in synchrony, or nearly so. While watching, connect his movements with what you felt in the saddle. Then mount up, and pay close attention to these indicators. Also, ask someone on the ground to inform you when your horse turns pacey.
Step 2. Perform half-halts. Ask for a working walk. When you feel your horse begin to slip into a pace, perform a half halt. This is essentially the same as the halt, except that the instant your horse responds to your rein and seat aids by hesitating (indicating a backward weight shift), you maintain rein contact, and ask him to move more actively forward with your seat and legs. A half-halt will rebalance his weight over his hindquarters, which lightens his front end. This simple exercise will do much to improve his gait.
