Gaited Western Horses

Missouri Fox Trotters

A MFT Gelding showing in Bareback Equitation.

Missouri Foxtrotters are an excellant example of why they don't belong in either the English or Western Division but in either a divison of their own or in the Other Performance Class.

Like other gaited breeds, MFT's are primarily judged on the proper execution of their natural gaits. Foxtrotters perform three gaits; the flat wlak, the fox trot and the canter. The walk is performed as a true, four beat gait, with the hind legs overstriding the tracks made by the front legs. When foxtrotting the horse will walk in front and trot behind. There is sliding action of the hindquarters along with a great reach in each stride. They do not high step and in any gait the head and tail are gracefully arched while there is a noticable bobbing of the head with each stride. The canter is performed in a collected manner with a rolling motion. MFT's are shown naturally with plain shoes and without artifical devices. In championship classes the horse is asked for tack to be stripped to access conformation.

Tack
Western saddles with horns are required. Bridles are to be of the browband variety with or without cavessons. True western bridles are permitted. Colored browbands are considered appropriate. Bits should be of grazing, snaffle, curb, halfbreed or hackamore type. Chain curbs are permissible but must be 11/2" wide. Shoes are to be natural and not weigh over 22 ozs. Foxtrotters are typically shown in buckstitched western saddles with a walking horse bridle and butterfly ribbons that match the browband and often the saddle pad. White is the most seen color for ribbons and pads. Rust colored saddles are most typical and often do not match the color of the bridle. The bridle often is dark brown. Silver saddles are rare but are not forbidden. Colored browbands and cavesson bands fronts are the norm and coorinate with the ribbons and the saddle pad. The S-curb of the walking horse is the most popular. A western curb bit on a walking horse bridle is sometimes seen. Forbidden are pads, action devices, false tails, switches, tail braces. No inhumane bits, martingales, tie-downs, or wire curbs can be used.

Riders
Male riders typically wear a suit with a contrasting yoke. Cowboy hats are standard as are boots. Women show a great deal more variation from typical western attire to riding habits. Women riders do not usually wear hats through some in western dress will wear a cowboy hat.

MFT showing under western saddle. Note rider does not need chaps but they are not penalized if they are worn

Reference
USFE Rulebook
NWHA Rulebook
MFT Rulebook

Photo Credit:
Upper Photo: Mardi Gras, MFT Gelding, OF Breyer, owned by Traci Durrell Khalife with doll and bridle by Traci.

Bottom photo: SLM Ramblin Red Lad, CM Breyer IMC by Suzanne Feld. Tack: Maker unknown. Doll: Off-the-shelf Ben Breyer. Setup owned by Suzanne Feld.

Tennessee Walking Horses

In western classes A bosal may be used in Poles, Barrels, Trail or Reining classes. Any standard western bit may also be used. An S bit may also be used if the horse performs better with it. Equipment approved for either English or Western class is approved for Obstacle Trail classes, but not a combination thereof. Australian stock saddles are not approved equipment in flat shod pleasure or versatility classes.

Some of the recognized gymkhana classes seen in approved TWH Versatility Shows are:
Egg & Spoon – Riders perform various gaits and movements while balance egg in spoon. The last rider to be carrying the egg is the winner.

Musical Sacks – Like musical chairs only rider must dismount and stand on “sack” when music stops, each time music stops, there is one less “Sack”.

Ride-A-Buck – Rider rides bareback with a dollar bill placed under the leg of the rider by the show official. When rider loses dollar bill, they are out. The last rider to still have the dollar bill tucked under their leg is the winner and also gets to keep all of the dollar bills lost by the other riders.

Resources:
TWHBEA Versatility Rulebook
USEA Rulebook

Paso Fino

The gait of the Paso Fino horse is totally natural and normally exhibited from birth. It is an evenly-spaced four-beat lateral gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. Executed perfectly, the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact. Footfall is in the same sequence as a natural equine walk, i.e., left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Propulsion is primarily from the hind limbs and the horse’s motion is absorbed in its back and loins, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the rider. The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection. In all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse’s croup.

1. Classic Fino—Forward speed is very slow, and the footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short. To be executed fully collected.
2. Paso Corto—Forward speed is moderate, ground-covering but unhurried, executed with medium extension and stride. The degree of collection desired varies with class requirements.
3. Paso Largo—The fastest speed of the gait. The largo is executed with a longer extension and stride. Forward speed varies with the individual horse, since each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence. The degree of collection desired varies with class requirements.
4. The Paso Fino can execute other gaits natural to horses in addition to the Paso Fino gait.
a. Walk—Smooth, steady evenly-spaced four-beat gait.
b. Lope—True, three-beat gait, slow, cadenced, smooth, straight on both leads, with no tendency to mix gaits.
c. Canter—True, three-beat gait, straight on both leads, smooth and unhurried with no tendency to mix gaits.

In all classes where Western tack is designated, the tack shall consist of a good working stock saddle. Silver equipment is permitted but must not predominate. The head stall shall be of the Western type customarily used with a stock saddle. Western Pleasure horses under the age of five years may use a snaffle or bosal; horses five and over must use a curb bit. In Paso Pleasure when using Western style tack, Colombian and Western hackamore, mecates, sidepulls, curb, and snaffle bits may be used. Cavessons and nose bands are prohibited. Breastplates are permitted. See specific class descriptions and appointments for additional requirements concerning tack.

b. Bits. (All Divisions) Bits are required in all classes except Schooling Classes or other classes as specified. Bits may be of any humane approved type in accordance with Appendix A of the PFHA Rule Book. However, shanks cannot exceed six (6) inches, upper shank of bit from mouthpiece to where bit attaches to bridle cannot exceed three (3) inches, and all bits with shanks must have a curb strap or curb chain attached and used for leverage. The length of a shank shall be measured in a straight line from the mouthpiece to the end of the shank.

6. Bits. Slip or gag bits, rigid donut mouthpieces and flat polo mouthpieces are prohibited. Any rein design or bit shank which increases the effective length and thereby the leverage of the shank of the bit is prohibited.

7. Crops and Spurs. Blunt spurs appropriate for English or Western classes, respectively and a riding crop not exceeding thirty (30) inches in length may be used.

Western Attire. In classes requiring Western dress, the rider shall wear a Western type hat, long sleeved Western type shirt, full length trousers, Western boots together with chaps, shotgun chaps or chinks. A jacket or vest is optional.

American Saddlebred

In Western Equipment and Trail classes, a less elevated head carriage should not be penalized. The Western Equipment horse should have more substance, especially in the quarters, be close-coupled and have well-defined withers. As in all Saddlebred divisions, the best quality specimens of the breed should prevail.

Western Country Pleasure horses must be plain shod. Permissible as plain shod shall be a shoe (inclusive of caulks), which may be thicker at the heel and may include toe clips and side clips. Also permissible is an eggbar shoe. Not permissible as plain shod: bands, bars, pads of any kind, wedges, lead, springs, any attachment that extends below the bottom of the shoe, and any foreign substance not specified as permissible.

Entries must be shown with full mane and tail. Tails must not be gingered or put in any device (i.e., tailset, bustle or brace) which alters their carriage while on the grounds. The fact that a horse’s tail has once been set does not exclude participation. Braids and artificial manes are prohibited. Inconspicuously applied hair in the tail is permitted.

Western Equipment. Inconspicuously applied rubber bands may be used to keep the forelock in place. Riders shall wear Western hat, long sleeved shirt and/or jacket with a collar and a necktie, kerchief or bolo tie, bow tie, peddle-tie, rosette-tie, or pin used as a tie; trousers or pants (or one piece equitation suit is acceptable provided it includes a collar and cuffs). Chaps, shotgun chaps or chinks and boots are required. A vest, coat or sweater may be worn. Protective headgear with harness is optional in all classes, not required to be of Western style. Spurs are optional. Whips are prohibited except in side saddle classes.

A side saddle rider must wear an apron of closed or button type with belt under loops. It is suggested that an apron with waistband cut the same as chaps and double thickness is used in classes where chaps are required.

Entries shall be shown with stock saddle but silver equipment will not count over a good working outfit. A side saddle shall be considered legal equipment. Tapaderos are prohibited. Hobbles and riata are not required.

There shall be no discrimination against any standard Western bit. A standard Western bit is defined as having a shank with a maximum length overall of 8 1/2“. Slip or gag bits are prohibited. Roping bits with both reins connected to a single rein at center of cross bar shall not be used. Reins must be attached to each shank. Any rein design or other device which increases the effective length and thereby the leverage of the shank of a standard western bit is prohibited.

Standard snaffle bits are permitted in any class on horses four years old and under that have never been shown in any Western event in a curb bit bridle. The rings may be from 2” to 4” outside diameter of either the loose type, eggbutt, dee or center mounted without cheeks. If a curb strap is used it must be attached below the reins.

Hackamores are permitted in any class on horses four years old and under that have never been shown in any Western event in a curb bit bridle. A hackamore includes a bosal rounded in shape and constructed of braided rawhide or leather and must have a flexible nonmetallic core attached to a suitable headstall. Attached reins may be of hair, rope or leather. No other material of any kind is to be used in conjunction with a bosal, i.e., steel, metal or chains (Exception: smooth plastic electrical tape is acceptable)

Curb chains and leather chinstraps may be used but must be flat and at least 1/2” in width and lie flat against the jaws of the horse. No wire, rawhide, metal or other substance can be used in conjunction with or as part of the leather chinstrap, or curb chains. Rounded, rolled, braided or rawhide curb straps are prohibited. A light lip strap is permissible. Hackamore bits, bosals, cavesson type nosebands, martingales and tiedowns are prohibited.

A snaffle or hackamore horse is not more than four years old and must never have been shown in any western event in a bridle. Rider may use both hands. Both hands must be visible to the Judge. Horses may not switch from a curb bit to a snaffle or hackamore.

Gait Requirements:
To be shown at a flat walk, jog-trot, and lope on a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint (ridden with one hand on reins, exception is using a hackamore or a snaffle bit where two hand are required). Judging:
Manners and suitability as a pleasure mount are paramount. Transitions from one gait to another should be smooth and effortless. Horses must be obedient with prompt transitions. Special emphasis is placed on a true, flat walk. Entries must be asked both ways of the ring to halt and stand quietly on the rail. Horses must stand quietly and back readily in the lineup. TO BE PENALIZED: Pulling, head tossing, laboring action, going sideways and tailswitching.

Classes Offered to ASN and Specifications:
1. WESTERN COUNTRY PLEASURE. (Open, Amateur, Maiden, Novice, Limit, Mares, Geldings, Junior Horse, OTR, Ladies, Gentlemen, Junior Exhibitor.) To be shown at a flat walk, jog- trot, lope. To stand quietly and back readily. To be judged on manners, performance, quality and conformation.

2. WESTERN COUNTRY PLEASURE PROSPECT. Open only to horses competing during their first or second competition years as Western Country Pleasure horses, according to the records of the American Saddlebred Horse Association. Hackamores and snaffle bits are permitted. To be shown at a flat walk, jog- trot, and lope. To stand quietly and back readily. Only one hand may be used on reins (two hands are permitted for Hackamores and snaffle bits) To be judged on manners, performance, quality and conformation.

3. WESTERN COUNTRY PLEASURE CHAMPIONSHIP (Open, Amateur, Junior Exhibitor). To be eligible, horse must have been entered, shown and judged in a designated qualifying class. To be shown at a flat walk, jog-trot and lope on a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint. To stand quietly and back readily. To be judged on manners, performance, quality and conformation.

4. WESTERN SHOW PLEASURE. Shown at a flat walk, jog-trot and lope. Judged 75% on manners, performance, presence and quality; 25% on total conformation.

5. SADDLE & BRIDLE’S SHATNER WESTERN PLEASURE CLASS. Shown at a flat walk, jog trot and lope on a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint. Judged 75% on manners, performance, presence and quality; 25% on total conformation. A minimum of three horses must be entered,shown, and judged in order to be an official Shatner qualifying class for the finals. The Show committee must previously state in the prize list, if they intend to use Saddle & Bridle’s Shatner Western Pleasure Class as a qualifier and this class cannot be the sole qualifying class for the competition’s championship. One Shatner qualifying class first place ribbon eliminates that horse from further competition in qualifying classes that season.

6. SADDLE & BRIDLE’S WORKING WESTERN PLEASURE CLASS. To be shown at a flat walk, jog trot and lope on a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint. Judged 50% on manners, presence, conformation and quality while working on the rail, 50% on ability to complete the working portion of the class. The working portion of this class shall consist of four or five obstacles to be traversed as a course. After three refusals an entry must skip to the next obstacle. At all times entry must exhibit appropriate manners and horsemanship.

7. WESTERN TRAIL. Shown over and through a minimum of five obstacles and at a flat walk, jog-trot and lope on a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint). Judged 75% on manners, performance, presence and quality; 25% on total conformation.

8. WESTERN PAIRS. Shown at a flat walk, jog-trot and lope. Judged 75% on manners, performance, presence,quality and conformation; 25% on uniformity and neatness of attire.

9. VERSATILITY. Shown with Western Equipment at a flat walk, jog-trot and lope both ways of the ring. Then shown with English Equipment at a flat walk, trot, extended trot and canter both ways of the ring. Change of equipment for both horse and rider to be made in the ring. Each phase of the competition to count 50%.