I'm a member of the 50 plus gang (and then some!) and I've been thinking lately that a gaited horse might be in my future. SOOOOOO I was curious about the breeds that forum members ride. I looked a ways back and didn't find this topic.  I hope I'm not repeating a previous thread. Feel free to write an advertisement for your special breed!  

Jan

This topic came around when this forum 1st started. But why not refresh everyones memory.

I ride Foxtrotters.  I don't show my horse, I trail ride, I go fishing in remote areas, I hunt off the horses in the fall. I've recently been Desert Bighorn Sheep hunting in South Eastern Utah

I ride a Spotted Saddle horse. They are by far my favorite in the gaited breed world. My horse's name is Pie. He is extremely verstaile and is good at everything i try him in. I do many events with him such as Lite Shod gaited shows, fun days(barrels, poles, arena races, keyhole..etc) trails, and my favorite Jumping! He is such a beauty and so smooth. I recommend the Ssh to everyone i meet. They have beauty, color, brains (most definitely), and versatility! Basically, if you want to do it all, get a spotted saddle horse. I love mine to death!

 I am 60.  I have ridden Tennessee Walkers for the last 17 years.

It was either go gaited or never ride again.  I spent a lifetime breaking & training horses, had a penchant for bringing home those "dern Widermakers", and thought my snowmobile ought to be able to do anything the  General Lee could do on the snow trails in Marionville, PA (WPA is where my roots are)  -lol

 The Tennessee Walker that I bought as a coming 3 yo in 1990 is now 20 and still the love of my life.  He is the horse in my avatar.  He was 16 in the picture which was taken on a local organized ride four years ago.

 "I hunt off the horses in the fall."

Do I EVER have a prime huntin' story for you!!  It was funny then and it's even funnier now.  At least to those of us that weren't doing the hunting off that horse

Well send me the story, I'm all ears.

Let me clarify. I ride my horses during hunting season. We pack a wall tent, cots, sleeping bags etc back into a remote area. We haul the deer and elk we harvest off the mountain with the horses. But I don't every shoot a gun off my horses. We just ride to where we are hunting, then we tie the horses up and hike.

I'm 57 and just starting riding again about 4 years ago after riding as a teenager. Last year I bought my first horse, a coming 3-year-old Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse filly, after hearing several stories about "mature" novice riders who had bought young horses from Minx's breeder and were just delighted. My barn buddies thought I was loony getting a youngster, but she's the love of my life. I've been having a ball finishing her training and she's just as sweet and sane under saddle as she can be. The barn buddies have all been converted to believers. And talk about a lovely smooth ride! She moves out with a squeeze and a cluck, we're flying and I'm just sitting back and enjoying the cruise.

walkinthewalk:

Do I EVER have a prime huntin' story for you!!  It was funny then and it's even funnier now.  At least to those of us that weren't doing the hunting off that horse

Do tell!!

Painted Horse and Lucky Lady:

It didn't take much to talk me into telling this yarn

I don't want to hi-jack this thread, so I will post it in the GENERAL section and title it "Great Hunting Story" 

I will be 50 sooner than I'd like - got my first gaited horse four years ago.  Just completed registration for my mare as a Tiger Horse . . .

I have no idea what breed she is. She is red and racks

I ride a Missouri Foxtrotter and hunt off of my Appaloosa/Mustang. Funny thing is that the Appaloosa/Mustang is learning to foxtrot.

I'll have to look for that original thread and I can't wait to read the hunting story. Don't worry about highjacking this thread... let the stories fly!

Now I have to go find that hunting story.

I just started riding at 48. By age 55 I realized that my back and knee issues were here to stay so I got a TWH. The problem was that nobody else at the barn rode one and I was always waaaaay out in front on the trail and talking to myself because everyone was too far back to hear me! Soooo I got a paso fino which was a much better choice for me. Now I don't ride anyway! My horses are at home, my rotator cuff is acting up again and I don't have anyone to ride with! I prefer the paso ride but the walker ride is more exciting!

I have TWH's and SSH's. I do a lot of trail riding. I started showing in 2006. My little spotted saddle horse mare is versatile and she can do just about anything. All of my gaited horses are different in the way they gait...which makes it more exciting for me.