Western Pleasure Natural is a class that was written for hobbyists and does not exist in the real world. It is for hobbyists that do not own arena fencing but still want to enter a western pleasure entry. There are no arena fences and most of all No Trail Obstacles in the class. Just envision a western pleasure class but without the arena wall and you have the requirements to enter the class. Attire and tack may be somewhat more relaxed as well. Just as in Western Pleasure Arena the rider is not judged but is important of course for posture, cueing and steering. The class is judged on manners and performance of the horse. The Western pleasure horse regardless of breed performs with a lower head than a natural one, relaxed gaits, slow jog, slow lope and smooth loose or light rein. The head and neck should be carried appropriately for a relaxed performance in accordance to the horse's breed type and conformation. Horses shall be shown on a reasonable loose rein. Extremes of too tight or too loose should be penalized. While Pleasure Pleasure Natural is a more relaxed setting than that of the Arena class the faults of the horse and rider should be scored accordingly:
Wrong lead or break of gait
Stopping rough or crooked
Failure to maintain a pivot foot
Rough transitions
Showing resistance when cued or reined
If rider is used than posting the jog-trot
If rider is used than any stiff, artificial, or unnatural body, leg, arm and/or head position
Poor position of exhibitor in saddle
Rider showing a loose leg with open knee, legs too far forward or back
Riders toes pointed down
Riders shoulders held crooked or arms held in a straight, unbent position
Reins too long, too short, or uneven

For additional helpful hints for Western Pleasure or other disciplines please check out Susan Hargove's site at: Oh Joy Farms

You Score Western Pleasure Gaits on the following basis:
The Walk:
(1) Poor walk - uneven pace and no cadence. Has no flow and may appear intimidated or appear to march.
(2) Average walk - has a four-beat gait, level top-line and is relaxed.
(3) Good walk - has a flowing four-beat gait, level topline, relaxed and is bright and attentive.

The Jog:
(1) Extremely poor jog - cannot perform a two-beat gait and has no flow or balance in the motion.
(2) Very poor jog - hesitates in the motion. Does not keep an even and balanced motion or a level top-line. May appear to shuffle.
(3) Poor jog - average motion but has negative characteristics such as; walking with the hind legs, dragging the rear toes or taking an uneven length of stride with the front and rear legs.
(4) Correct or average jog - has a two-beat gait, a level top-line and a relaxed appearance.
(5) Good jog - has an average motion with positive characteristics such as balance and self-carriage while taking the same length of stride with the front and rear legs.
(6) Very good jog - is comfortable to ride while having a consistent two-beat gait. The horse guides well, appears relaxed and has a level top-line.
(7) Excellent jog - effortless and very efficient motion. Swings the legs yet touches the ground softly. Confident, yet soft with its motion while being balanced and under control. Moves flat with the knee and hock and has some cushion in the pastern. Has a bright and alert expression and exhibits more lift and self-carriage than the “very good jog”.

Moderate Extended Jog:
(1) Poor extended jog - never lengthens the stride and may appear rough to ride.
(2) Average extended jog - moves up in its pace and appears smooth to ride.
(3) Good extended jog - has an obvious lengthening of stride with a slight increase in pace while exerting less effort and appears smooth to ride.

The Lope
(1) Extremely poor lope - does not have a three-beat gait. Has no flow, rhythm or balance. Uncomfortable to ride.
(2) Very poor lope - appears to have a three-beat lope but has no lift or self-carriage. The horse shuffles, has no flow and bobs his head, giving the appearance of exerting a great deal of effort to perform the gait. Also may appear uncomfortable to ride.
(3) Poor lope - has an average motion but exhibits negative characteristics like head bobbing, not completing the stride with the front leg and leaving the outside hock well behind the horse’s buttocks.
(4) Average lope - has a true three-beat gait with a level top-line and very little head and neck motion. He is relatively straight (not over-canted), guides well and has a relaxed appearance.
(5) Good lope - has an average motion but exhibits positive characteristics in his performance like self-carriage, a steady topline, relaxed appearance and is responsive to the rider’s aids.
(6) Very good lope - has more lift and flow than the average horse. He has a strong but smooth drive from behind. He may bend his knee slightly yet still has a level top-line while exhibiting self-carriage with a relaxed appearance. Appears comfortable to ride.
(7) Excellent lope - has a round back with an effortless strong, deep stride with the rear legs and a flat swing with the front legs. He keeps a level top-line, a relaxed yet alert and confident appearance and is correct but soft. A special horse with a great degree of lift and self-carriage.

The Back-Up:
(1) Poor back-up - is resistant and heavy in front. May gap the mouth and throw his head or back crooked.
(2) Average back-up - backs straight and quietly with light contact and without hesitation.
(3) Good back-up - displays balanced and smooth flowing movements. Backs straight with self-carriage without gapping the mouth with light contact and without hesitation.

	Photo Credit: Western Pleasure Natural Stock Breed Entry Platinum Proof, shown as a QH stallion, is a Peter Stone Ideal Stock Horse, Cherish. Owned and shown by Andrea Robbins.
Photo Credit: Western Pleasure Arabian Breed Entry Sittin on a Cloud, is a Peter Stone Pebbles Arabian mare, Little Sure Shot. Owned and shown by Andrea Robbins. Note higher flexion at the poll even while standing still but horse is still on the bit and the nose is not sticking straight.
	Photo Credit: Western Pleasure Arena TB/WB or Sporthorse Breed Entry Wingman, shown as a palomino Thoroughbred gelding, is a Peter Stone TB, Midas. Owned and shown by Andrea Robbins.
Photo Credit: Western Pleasure Other Breed Entry Goody Four Shoes, shown as an American Mustang, is a Breyer Indian Pony, Sheza Good Sport. Owned and shown by Andrea Robbins.

Hold the Reins Correctly:

	Photo Credit: Romal Reins by Susan Hargrove Romal reins enter the hand by the "little" finger lay across the palm of the hand and exit the hand on top over the thumb. The hand holds the reins and not the loop and knot that form the junction of the reins and the romal whip.
Photo Credit: Split Reins by Susan Hargrove Split reins can be held in the right or left hand. The excess rein hang over untouched on the same side of the horse. So if right hand hold the rein then the excess rein lies on the right side of the horse. If left hand holds the rein then the excess rein lies on the left side of the horse. Split reins enter the hand via coming straight into the hand over the index finger and they exit by the little finger.
	Photo Credit: Snaffle Reins by Susan Hargrove The snaffle rein crosses over the horse's neck with the bight extending down ward on the opposite side of the horse's neck. Both hands are used on the reins by picking the rein and the bight up with the palms of the hands facing down.
Photo Credit: Hackamore Mecate Reins by Susan Hargrove The hackamore mecate rein is a solid single loop rein with the bight tied from the bosal to either the saddle horn or coiled and tied to the front piggin string (or swell string) of the saddle. Both hands are used on the rein by picking the rein with the palms of the hands facing down.