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.
