Attn Twh Owners!!

[klattekm]

This might be in the wrong place, sorry if it is!

I'm shopping around and apparently there are a TON of twh in the cincinnati area. I've never ridden a 100% gaited horse. I've heard ir very smooth etc etc, but what all can you do with a TWH?? Do they still canter?? (sorry if this really shows my ignorance!) I'm really curious for any info you could give me. I kinda want a draft cross horse, but i've also seen some ads for some nice walkers. I'm looking just for pleasure and trail riding, and a confidence builder

[HAYHAYSTABLES]

You can do everything with a walking horse just like a quarter horse.
We rein, barrel race, jump , I know several people that even use them as cutting horses around here. Go to www.twhbea.com and look at the versatility link. I love there smooth gait and easy temperment. Thats all we raise. My website is below if you would like to take a look. Im going to start one of my twh on barrels in the spring and another jumping. That have a rocking chair canter that is fun to ride and can go super fast also in the canter.

[Ike]

They can do most, if not all, the things non-gaited horses can do.

Canter, some do - some don't. Either way it will be somewhat different than the nice slow canter a lot of people want with their qtr horses. Or at least that has been my experiance. Normally with a TWH, to travel the same speed you'd be looking for one of the faster gaited gaits.

Try it, you'll like it.

[alliebath]

Yes, they still canter. They are wonderful trail riding buddies. Smooth, fast, can canter/lope when you want to. Sweet personalities, very biddable and willing. All sizes - from pony to 17H, all colors, solids to spots - something for everyone.

Smooth and fast of course is in the eye of the beholder though. They can do a correct four beat walk to a rack, to a rough pace to a smoother step pace - depends on the individual. Go see some, ride a few, see what you like and what is comfortable for you.

[soccer mom]

Yes they do everything. I mainly trail ride, but I have been playing with barrels at the barn and he loves it! he gaits fast between the barrels, but his gait speed is as good as a fast canter. Zeke will canter when asked.

[Horselady44]

Yes... they are very versatile horses. They can do anything a non gaited horse can do...but are alot smoother doing it For a trail rider...I would def recommend one. They also have great temperments for a confidence builder! You cant really go wrong with a TW Just make sure they are at the right place in their training for you. Or go with a older one...say 12-15. Just like any horse...they all need training

[Slim Pikkens]

Would you believe many early cowboys in Montana, Alberta, BC preferred gaited horses for working cattle, expecially on long drives. As a kid I was lucky to ride one on a three hour drive and I kept wanting to nod off because of his gentle side to side movement.

[klattekm]

lol Sorry guys, I know I sounded like a dummy. I've heard that some can canter and some can't so I didn't really know! I think I'll definitely check out some of the ones around here to put on my list. Even though I have an idea of what I want, I could end up finding something completely different!

Keep in mind I've only really ridden TB's, quarter horses/mixed and just plain old grades. The only "gaited" horse I've ever ridden was a walker/quarter horse mix that didn't really gait-gait. He would do this odd walk-trot thing when he was being lazy but not a full out gait

[visionquest]

TWH are MARVELOUS!!!! I've owned several, one didn't canter well at all!!!
I did buy a really nice gelding that i thought would make a good trail horse but it ended up that the previous owners had been riding him in reining, barrels and pole bending. I was not ever able to get him relaxed enough for pleasure riding and sold him to a young girl that barrel raced him. This horse was lighting fast and cat quick, he beat the pants off 75% of the QH's in barrels!!

[walknsound]

Once you go gaited, you'll never go back. They can do anything and have that marvelous disposition! The TWH is my breed!

[Sirita_88]

Most canter... Some are pretty bumpy. You just have to try them out, I rode a heck of a bumpy cantering SSH, but that's not necessarily the norm, so the only way to find out what YOU like is to go try out the horses you are interested in!

[Miichelle]

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against TWH but I have a friend who trail rides who is selling her's right now. Her horse is smooth, fast, and well mannered on the trails, the key word here is FAST. It's a constant battle (not a big fight but something always being worked on) to keep her horse at the speed of all of her non-gait friend's horses. Just something to think about as I've heard this complaint from more than one person riding gaited horses with non-gaited horses (which are the majority around here).

[Horselessnomore]

My TWH walks quite fast, which normally is not an issue. I do like a horse that will walk out and not be too pokey. He does walk faster than the non-gaited horses that I ride with on occassion, but since I usually ride by myself and pony my poor little QH cross (who sometimes has to do a slow jog to keep up ) it is not an issue.
He does canter and he has a beautiful slow canter -- I have had to work with him to make him realize that he is allowed to go faster if he wants.
I mostly trail ride, but dabble a bit in gymkhana events as well. He's OK there -- not as fast as the QH's but we are just starting so speed will come.
If I am not mistaken a TWH stallion won the extreme cowboy races last year as well . . . . .
They are great horses and very versatile as well. I have also popped him over the odd small jump and he can do that too -- I just have to remember jump him at a canter instead of a running walk

[theoldbear]

I work cattle all the time on my Walker. Never roped off of him, but that's becasue I'm such a bad roper!

He was reserve high point versatility horse in the state of Tennessee 4-H program as a three year old. Ran barrels, poles, jumped. Also Western Pleasure Walkiing horse (a ribbon at the Celebration as a two-year old), Country Pleasure, Plantation Pleasure LiteShod. He has been on many a trail ride, and I can "gear him down" to walk with the QH's and paints, and then he'll step right out with the racking horses and Paso Finos.

And since the OP is looking for a draft cross, I might add that people asl me all the time if my Walker is half-belgian! He's 15.3, looks 16.2, weighs in at well over 1400 pounds in full flesh, and has a head that requires a draft-size halter, bridle, and bit.

He's also 28 years old. Good luck finding one just like him!

[alliebath]

The speed issue is one to consider when looking at any gaited horse for trail riding. There are those that can be dialed back to walk with the QH and those that it will always be a struggle for. We cannot/do not ride with QH - our horses are geared to go faster - physically and because that it what we prefer. We have had slower TWH - and those have gone on to people who want a slower horse. If you typcially ride w/non gaited horses, be mindful of the speed when you go to look at one and get one that works best for you.

[ShadesofGrey]

Like most have said, the TWH is very versatile...around here, most people I know have them and do everything under the sun with them. You have said that you would mostly be trail riding. They are a joy on trails! I would, however, give some thought to the type of horses you may trail ride with (won't matter if you mostly ride by yourself). I have been on rides with people on non-gaited horses and they have to trot to keep up with the TWH's. But my gelding will slow down if I'm riding with slower horses. I would say give them a try. Each horse is different, so I would try several and see if you can find one to accommodate your needs. They are a delightful breed!

[Rafflesgirl]

I agree the Cincinnati area has many TWH's it seems. I also think they are great horses, my first horse as a kid was a TWH/quarter cross who had a beautiful smooth canter/lope and could trot as pretty as can be in a western pleasure class but also had a running walk. I could do anything with her! Super disposition, smart, etc.

My cousin trail rides her paint gelding with TWH's and she does complain about most of them having such a fast smooth gait that her paint has to trot to keep up. And If I were going to have a TWH to trail ride with I personally would prefer one who could amble along slowly if I wanted to. Sometimes you just want to walk along slow and enjoy the scenery!

[Buckeye Horsefeathers]

I have seen a big increase in twhs in the southern Ohio area. We just recently bought one and we ride her with nongaited horses exclusively. She can be made to just plain walk, and she loves to trail ride. Mine is a little hotter than I thought she would be but I also bought a 3yr old. I would look at one in the 5yr and up range. Ride a few and see how you like it. Good luck!

[mingiz]

I rode QH's most of my life until the good ole age caught up..I bought my first reg. TWH 2yrs ago. He is a joy to ride, He will walk with the QH's or leave them behind. I bought him because I was ruining my paint mare and the trotting was killing my bones when I was trying to keep up with a bunch of friends on Paso's. Now they complain that they can't keep up with me. Jr is a big lap dog and is a great trail horse. I just picked up a MFT (Reno) back in April and he has turned out to be a nice ride also. He has qh,twh in him also. He has the qh walk then his foxtrot and a canter....I will never go back to riding non gaited...If I did I would have to give it up...pffftttt that ain't gonna happen....

[David]

Originally Posted by klattekm

lol Sorry guys, I know I sounded like a dummy. I've heard that some can canter and some can't so I didn't really know! I think I'll definitely check out some of the ones around here to put on my list. Even though I have an idea of what I want, I could end up finding something completely different!

Keep in mind I've only really ridden TB's, quarter horses/mixed and just plain old grades. The only "gaited" horse I've ever ridden was a walker/quarter horse mix that didn't really gait-gait. He would do this odd walk-trot thing when he was being lazy but not a full out gait

Actually, they all canter. Some have never been cantered with a rider so it takes a lot of convincing to get them to canter. They can all also trot...all horses can perform the three basic gaits but, gaited horse people tend to "ride it out of them" in other words they train their horses not to trot ( and in some cases not to canter). The reason is that the gait these horses are bred for is so much more enjoyable and smoother that riders don't want to do anything else.

So to answer your question about what they can do, they can ( and do) do anything any other horse can do. They just do it smoother.


David