Trail Riding. Micaela Myers

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      Smooth movement and generally calm temperaments make gaited breeds, like this Rocky Mountain Horse, popular.

      When evaluating a gaited horse, make sure she goes into her gaits and maintains them easily and correctly. Another factor to consider is whether you plan to ride with friends who own nongaited horses. Many gaited horses “walk” quite a bit faster than nongaited breeds. This can present a problem on a mixed group ride.

      Some of the most popular gaited breeds include the following:

       Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse

      Original use: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses were developed in central and eastern Kentucky as multipurpose family, ranch, and workhorses.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: The breed registry features two divisions to accommodate horses of different sizes: Class A for horses and Class B for ponies. Known for their hardiness and willingness, these horses are bred to naturally perform a four-beat, rack-style gait that is smooth and ground covering, traveling up to 15 miles per hour.

       Missouri Fox Trotter

      Original use: Missouri Fox Trotters were developed for the needs of the settlers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Missouri.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: Fox Trotters stand, on average, 14 to 17 hands and are known for their smooth, sliding fox trot. The gait involves the front end walking with animation, while the hind end trots with very little action. The breed is noted for being surefooted, with strong hooves.

       Paso Fino

      Original use: Paso Finos were selectively bred in Puerto Rico and in Latin America to create a sturdy, smooth-gaited riding horse.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: Paso Finos average 14 to 15 hands but are still noted for being able to carry large adults. Their gaits are performed at various speeds, with rapid footfall, hock action, and drive.

       Peruvian Paso

      Original use: The Peruvian Paso was bred to travel Peru’s rough terrain for long distances.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: Peruvian Pasos perform a comfortable, lateral gait that features a round movement in the forelegs, powered by strong hind legs. Average height for the breed is between 14 and 15 hands.

       Rocky Mountain Horse

      Original use: The breed was developed in the mountains of eastern Kentucky as an all-purpose utility horse.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: Rocky Mountain Horses are prized for their calm dispositions and smooth, four-beat natural gait that features a near-even cadence and minimal ground clearance to allow the breed to travel long distances without tiring. Rocky Mountain Horses typically stand between 14.2 and 16 hands.

       Spotted Saddle Horse

      Original use: Spotted Saddle Horses were selectively bred to create a riding horse with a comfortable gait and a colorful coat.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: All Spotted Saddle Horses must meet color requirements and exhibit a smooth saddle gait other than a trot, such as a single-foot, running walk, stepping-pace, or rack. On average, they measure 14.2 to 15.2 hands and are popular trail mounts.

       Tennessee Walking Horse

      Original use: Developed in the South, Tennessee Walking Horses were popular among plantation owners who desired a riding horse with a smooth, ground-covering gait.

      Characteristics and trail suitability: These are medium-sized horses, averaging 15 to 16 hands. Tennessee Walkers are very popular among trail riders for their calm temperaments as well as their gliding gaits. Unlike the traditional walk and trot, the Tennessee Walking Horse’s smooth flat walk and running walk carry the rider swiftly forward without bouncing.

      Purchasing a Trail Horse

      If you already own a horse, assess her suitability for trail riding honestly. Evaluate her soundness and temperament for trail, then ensure she has solid training before expecting a quiet ride in the great outdoors. Unless you’ve trained a horse before, it’s best to start with an experienced trail horse. If you don’t already own a horse, take your time and choose your new trail horse carefully.

       EVALUATING A HORSE

      You’ll probably begin your search for a horse by looking through ads from the newspaper, Internet, or local tack-store bulletin boards. Below are tips on searching for and evaluating horses.

       Search Tips

      Here are a few tips to help you with your search:

      Evaluate the horse’s description: Look for a horse that’s advertised as “good on trail.” Most ads will say what the horse has previously been used for, so stick to the ones that indicate the horse already has competence outside the arena.

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