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KyAngel
Posted : 9/5/2011 1:52:56 AM
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This is an article that I wrote and submitted to Going Gaited Online Magazine. They accepted and published it on their website. It's an article about the breed/type of horse that I have owned trained and bred for a large percentage of my life. I'm currently on the Board of Directors of this association and a horse examiner for them as well. The Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse [/size]
It may only be once in a lifetime that a person gets the chance to participate in a historical event. That is what happened in 2000 when a group of horse lovers formed the Kentucky Natural Gaited Association. They recognized that a particular type of horse had appeared around the 1800#%92s, having its origin in Kentucky, and was still around today.
It had been known by various names through the years, some of them being the Kentucky Saddler, Country Saddler, Country Pleasure, Mixed Gaited Horse, and the Mountain Horse. Despite the various names, the qualities the horse exhibited throughout the years has remained the same, so the name Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse was designated to bring all these wonderful animals under the same registry.
What makes the Kentucky Natural Gaited horse so special? Most notably, is the presence of a natural four beat gait that is rhythmic and appealing to the eye. It is unique to the breed, is totally natural and normally exhibited from birth. It does not exhibit the exaggerated leg action of manmade gaits, but rather is smooth, rhythmic, purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to rear. It is an evenly spaced four- beat gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular or near regular sequence at precise intervals creating a smooth unbroken rhythm. This gait should be exhibited either barefooted or with no more than a keg shoe. Executed with animation, the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact. It is performed at two or three forward speeds depending on the expectation, such as show ring. In all speeds of the gait the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle.
 
Combining the ability of this horse to maintain its gait over numerous miles without wear to the rider with a remarkably calm and good natured disposition made it a natural choice for trail riding. The breed's ability to concisely maneuver in all types of terrain, overall intelligence especially in intense frightening situations and exceptional loyalty to its human counterpart, spurred a popularity that continues today. A quiet calm breed , even the stallions are a favorite for trails and shows.
The Natural Gaited Horse is considered to be a medium sized horse, from 14 - 16.2 hands. The have medium sized bodies with nicely proportioned features. They have soulful eyes and come in all colors and patterns.
Generation after generation has taken note of the horse#%92s ability to be as versatile as the owner wanted. Early verbal history tells us this horse was developed out of necessity. Early settlers needed one horse that could not only provide farm/work labor but also be used for transportation and pleasure. They developed a horse to meet their needs.
During the mid 1800#%92s, two philosophies of thought emerged. The first focused on the need to develop a horse that could compete and endure in the show ring. The second was based on the need to maintain the farmland and log woods, as well as provide the family with a means of comfortable transportation and revenue through producing a versatile product. This resulted in two forks emerging in the breeding of the Kentucky Saddler.
It is speculated that since horse shows in Kentucky and Missouri had developed into a friendly rivalry between the two states, the need to develop a horse that could compete and endure resulted in the crossing of the early Kentucky Saddler with the Thoroughbred and the Standardbred, which were later crossed with other breeds resulting in the American Saddlebred of today.
However the need for a horse to perform everyday tasks remained. The Kentucky Saddler was crossed with work- stock then later enhanced with other breeds such as the Morgan and Tennessee Walker. It was common practice to utilize the breeding stock surrounding one's area or community. Though the physical characteristics may vary somewhat, some qualities remained the same. These qualities were, gait , disposition, intelligence, surefootedness, stamina and style. This judicious selection resulted in the horse we today call the Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse.
It is to preserve the wonderful characteristics of this unique horse that the Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse Association was formed.
~ The characteristics that the KNGHA requires for registration include the following:
* Stallions must be a minimum height of 14. 2 hands
* Mares and gelding must be a minimum of 14. 0 hands.
* Color or patterns of color are not a criterion for registration.
* All horses must demonstrate the natural four-beat gait, and be inspected by an examiner.(video tape can be submitted if no examiner is available.)
* Must demonstrate the Natural Gaited Horse qualities and characteristics.
* DNA Testing is required for all mares and stallions.
Dr. Gus Cothran of the University of Kentucky has stated "DNA testing is the way of the future." The KNGHA is at the forefront of this endeavor and realizes the unlimited potential of DNA testing for the advancement and preservation of the Natural Gaited Horse. In conjunction with the University of Kentucky#%92s Dr. Cothran, KNGHA is striving to provide a factual foundation for the gaited horse of Kentucky and identify specific markers that will be essential in the future of the breed. DNA testing will provide a map to the past and forecast for the future of the gaited horse. Looking ahead, the KNGHA intends to produce the quality other breeds have exhibited in the show ring. The KNGHA intends to provide an opportunity for this horse to show its true qualities.
Come join us in this endeavor and goal of ensuring this horse continues to exist for future generations. Become a part of history. Perhaps your gaited horse meets the qualities needed to continue and enhance the Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse of the future!
Here are a few pictures of some more KNGHA horses :
This is Sun Star. He is one of the foundation stallions in our Association. His owner Cozy Salyers has dedicated most of his life to breeding this type of horse and is pictured here with Sun Star .
This is Sniper's Easy Talk, owned and trained by Jerome Gullett of West Liberty , Ky. Sniper is a third generation stallion from the Sun Star lines .
This is Easy Talkin' Tonka Toy , a fourth generation KNGHA stallion sired by Sniper's Easy Talk. Tonka has been taking our show rings by storm and is an excellent trail horse as well.
This is Mystery Warrior who belongs to me , Retta McKenzie of Flat Gap, Ky. Mystery is also from the Sun Star lines and is a third generation stallion. Mystery has been shown with a loads of success and is also my sweet and steady trail horse. Mystery is also often used as a lesson horse despite being a stallion and has proven to be an extremely safe and sane mount .
This is Al Capone who belongs to Nelson Francis of Winchester ,Ky. Capone is a foundation stallion for our registry/association . Al Capone has also sired many horses that are registered with the KMSHA as well and has been a very prolific breeding stallion.
Since it wouldn't be right to just show you the "guys" of our registry here are a few of our lovely "ladies " as well. Don't let their gender fool you though ! These "ladies " are bred mountain tough and can handle whatever is asked of them.
This is Paige of Maggie a foundation mare for the KNGHA. She is an excellent trail mare and a producer of truly lovely foals. She is proudly owned by Lisa Gullett of West Liberty,Ky shown here being ridden by Lisa's husband Jerome Gullett.
This is Little Sky Dancer, affectionatly known as Dancer. She is a foundation mare and is proudly owned by me , Retta McKenzie of Flat Gap, Ky. Dancer is an excellent trail mare and has produced two colts so far of excellent quality that meet or exceed our requirements. She's a tough lady despite her sweet name , who has been ridden and completed 40 mile trails without difficulty.
This is Shadows Little Baby Doll. She is a foundation mare for our association. She is proudly owned by Ellis Pennington of West Liberty, Ky. Baby Doll is a top producer of excellent foals and one of our most consistant winners in the show ring as well as being a fantastic trail horse .
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to our breed and enjoyed the pictures of a few of our horses !
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