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  Discussion on Pacey Tn. Walker
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 18, 2000 - 10:54 am:

I seem to get conflicting information on how to take the pace out of my horse. She has a nice running walk when I can get. it When I've been on a ride and have a good one we(farrier and I) think oh, we got it right we'll keep her feet like this and then I get some rides where she flat walks but no running walk. I have been told lenghten back feet, shorten front or shorten back, lengthen front. 52degrees frt. 55degrees back and then just the opposite 55 in front. I have been told that it is not my riding. I hope not but I really was beginning to think it was. I have tried settng my frame when she is r/w real well and try to remember exactly what I'm doing when she is going well. A longtime horseman with the most wonderfully trained TWH (he trained)rode with me one morning in MO. to watch me and the horse. He said to go 52 d fr, 55 d hind and put a 3/8"x1" caulked shoe on the front. I was worried about the added wt. because I trail ride for long rides over some rough country. He said he guaranteed it would not make her tired.
When I got home I told my farrier, her front feet were about 53d the back always have been about 55.So we were working on getting her front feet to 52d Last time he was here he said her frt ft were 54d!! Now almost 2 mo later and time to shoe I'm worried about him moving her back to 52 will 2 degrees be too much ?? I think he is trying to put her frt. feet to 55d. He is not a gaited horse farrier but very good and willing to learn but I think he got on the internet also and got advice to put 55d on the frt. he has access to farriers pages that I do not.I am going on a big ride in Ill. the first of May and I want her right. Have only riddden 4x's since Jan as we have had bad weather. Have missed some good days as I am a Sr.lady and do not ride alone anymore and can't always find someone to ride with.I have purchased the shoes (farrier had gotten some earlier but they were for padded horses not flat shod)He comes next week and I'd really like some input to help get that nice running walk all the time on my mare not just sometimes because frankly I hate her pace. Had a mare once that did a nice amble or stepping pace that she did when all the Quarter horses were trotting and it was nice but that faster pace? My body doesn't like at all. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Posted on Sunday, Mar 19, 2000 - 1:02 pm:

Hi Judy,
I assume that you have reviewed my articles in the Tennessee Walking Horse Menu on "Curing the Pace". This type of training and dressage exercises really will do a lot of good for many pacey horses. There is no instant cure. In general pacey horses tend to square up when you add weight to the front and lighten them behind. With respect to hoof angle, there are no hard and fast rules for how changing the angle will affect the gait. Each horse will react to these changes differently. In general I like to see the hoof angle follow the pastern angle. Any other configuration is probably going to predispose the horse to lameness problems. If possible you might try the 3/8x1" (lite shod shoe) in front and no shoes behind or a very lightweight shoe behind if tenderness is a problem (perhaps aluminum behind). Remember that you must first establish a good, solid flat walk before you can ask for the speed of a running walk. It is unfortunate that bad weather, etc keeps us from working our horses consistently. Fortunately there are now many breeders who are breeding for the natural gaited TWH. We no longer have to accept the pacey horse that has been the predominant product from the "big lick"breeding industry. If the saddle time to train your mare to perform the flat walk and running walk consistently are not possible, you may find that you would get more enjoyment from a more naturally gaited TWH.
Janette Oglesby

Posted on Monday, Mar 20, 2000 - 12:46 am:

Thank you for your help. My mare does have a good solid flat walk and that is one reason I feel this mare should be giving me a more consistant r/w. I was talking to a gentleman the other day whom I had purchased a broodmare from several years ago and I mentioned my problem to him. He felt I might be overbitting her and to try a double-twisted wire bit on her. I will try that tomorrow, weather permitting. It is "supposed" to rain. Thank you again and I will let you know how we progress. Judy

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 3, 2002 - 11:16 am:

Janette,
I've just read your article on Curing the Pace--good stuff! The one point that you make that I have seen opposite being done is starting by walking. First let me say--I agree w/you 100%!! And all of the natural TWH trainers I know agree w/the start slow method. Unfortunately, the showbarn trainers who are putting out horses by the dozens still subscribe to the "Pace 'em out" theory to "break open their shoulder." UGH! I have never understood why they are taking an already too pacey breed and encouraging from the time they are babies [usu. 16 months] to pace! I believe they think it increases their reach--similar to an extended trot. OR, they then put awful stacks or other heavy shoes on front to break up the pace and square them up. GRRRR}}}}}
Those are the people who want to place a long overstride over a correct square-going horse. Oh, the politics of the TWH world!
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