December 1999

Parking Out - A Gaited Horse Tradition

In and out of the show ring

Parking your horse in the show ring is an elegant way to catch the eye of the judge and demonstrate the finer manners of your horse. Even if you don't compete, there are benefits for teaching this to your horse.

I have found it useful in working to get my young horse to stand still while I mount. Plus, it makes my horse a bit shorter to ease my ascent into the saddle. My husband and friend have found this to be a great cue to use when judging field trials. It makes marking the judge's card much easier when the horse is still.

Parking gives your horse something to do. A very interesting fact that I learned from John Lyon's "Perfect Horse" newsletter is that a horse does not understand the word "no." So, instead of reprimanding your horse to stand still, you should cue him to do what you want him to do. By asking your horse to "park," he can associate that with meaning and will work to please you. It's a win, win situation.

An easy lesson

To start, find a quiet area void of distractions. Stand on the ground at the left shoulder of your horse. With your horse in halter or bridle, ask him to back up until his hind feet are set parallel. Place your hand on his withers, and push against him and away from yourself to transfer his weight off his left foot. While giving the verbal command of "park" or "come out," take your toe and place it behind his left fetlock and lift, setting his left foot a few inches forward. You should reward your horse verbally, with a pet on the neck, or a small carrot or other treat.

Next, reverse your pressure at his withers by pulling slightly towards yourself to shift his weight again. At the same time give the verbal command and lift his right foot up and forward with your toe. You can also use a crop to tap his heel to coax it forward.

Encourage and reward any forward movement, no matter how slight. Although at the same time discourage any movement from his hind feet, as they should stay stationary.

Repeat this process, until you have him stretched out sufficiently. His front feet will be in line with his shoulders.

Consistency, repetition and praise

If you repeat this lesson with your horse from the ground every day, he'll soon be moving his feet forward on the verbal command alone (which is pretty thrilling!). Once this happens, you are ready to start giving the cue from the saddle.

From the saddle, give the same verbal cue while shifting your weight in your seat. Shift slightly to the left to get the right foot to move forward, then shift right, to move the left foot forward. Praise. Praise. Praise. At first, it may be easier to have a partner on the ground to watch and assist.

To truly have the lesson stick, make sure you park your horse every time you mount, dismount, and stop along the trail.

In no time, you'll be parking out like champs!

Resources: This article was written with information gathered through my own experiences with trainer, Lori Greenwood of Greenwood Stables of WI, from the video "Training the Lite Shod and Plantation Walking Horse" by Diane Gueck, from the book "The Plantation Tennessee Walking Horse," by Vickie Presley Mazzola and from the newsletter "Perfect Horse" by John Lyons.

Contributor: Renee Stasiewicz. Renee has owned walking horses for 3 years and has been a member of the WWHA for one year. Renee and Scott, her husband, own two registered Tennessee Walking Horses that are ridden for trail, show, field trials and pleasure.