Going Gaited: Tack and Training Resources

To get you started in the world of riding and training gaited horses, we've compiled a list of books, websites and saddle suppliers.

Gaited horses have become increasingly popular on the trail. | Photo by Darrell Dodds

In the April 2005 issue of Horse & Rider, we highlighted five popular gaited breeds, and gave you a list of associations and registries. The increasing popularity of gaited horses means that more riders are looking for information on training and riding gaited horses. To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of books, websites, and saddle suppliers specifically geared to smooth-gaited horses.

Websites

www.friendsofsoundhorses.org

Friends of Sound Horses provides information to the public about the humane care, treatment and training of gaited horses, and promotes the exhibition of the flat-shod walking horse at competitions.

www.gaitsofgold.com

Brenda Imus’ site provides information on various gaited breeds, links to gaited horse articles, and details of her clinics and specially designed gaited horse tack.

www.gaitedhorses.net

A great place to start, with information on most gaited breeds, links to discussion forums, breed registries, email lists and trainer information.

www.leeziegler.com
Gaited horse clinician Lee Ziegler’s website offers articles, Q&A’s, and gaited horse information along with a listing of her clinics.

Books

Easy-Gaited Horses, by Lee Ziegler; Storey Publishing, 2005; 320 pages

Gaits of Gold, by Brenda Imus; Crossover Publications, 1998; 235 pages

Heavenly Gaits: The Complete Book of Gaited Riding Horses, by Brenda Imus; Crossover Publications, 1995; 249 pages

Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement, by Susan E. Harris; Howell Book House, 1993; 192 pages

Gaited-Horse Saddle Suppliers

Big Horn, Inc.

1-800-251-6284, 1222 East 38th St., Chattanooga, TN 37407

Circle Y of Yoakum, Inc.

1-800-242-3502 (Texas), 1-800-531-3600 (out of state), P.O. Box 797, Yoakum, TX 77995

Crates Leather

423-622-7503, 515 N. Holtzclaw, Chattanooga, TN 37404

Custom Tree & Saddle Co.

615-792-3884, P.O. Box 24, Chapmansboro, TN 37035

Dakota Saddlery

205-632-3303, Rte. 1, Box 441, Ider, AL 35981

Gaits of Gold

1-888-617-8009 or 716-267-4825, 303 Miller Valley Rd., Kennedy, NY 14747

Have Saddle – Will Travel, Inc.

1-800-821-3607, 1760 Broadway, Grand Junction, CO 81503

Smith-Worthington Saddlery Co.

860-527-9117, 275 Homestead Ave., Hartford, CT 06112

Stübben North America

1-800-550-1110, 7479 Whitepine Rd., Richmond, VA 23237

Thornhill Saddles

1-800-445-2289, P.O. Box 3539, Wilmington, DE 19807

Tucker Saddlery

1-800-820-5375, 6135 Mt. Moriah, Memphis, TN 38115

For information on smooth-gaited trail horses, see “The Golden Gait” in Horse & Rider magazine, April 2005.

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