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Step 1
Train the horse as you would any other horse to lead, stand tied, accept a saddle and bridle, stop, turn and move forward. Every riding horse should know these steps well before being trained to do anything else.
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Step 2
Have a properly fitting saddle and saddle pad for a gaited horse. Gaited horses move differently in some gaits than other horses and need a saddle that won't pinch their backs or constrict their movements. A saddle that puts too much pressure in certain areas is painful and can cause the horse to misbehave and not follow commands.
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Step 3
Ride the gaited horse as you would any other horse until he is around 3 to 4 years old. If he is older and has not been taught to correctly develop his gaits, ride him for a few months before starting on the gaits.
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Step 4
Encourage the horse to move into his gait by teaching him impulsion. Start at a walk and ask the horse to move faster. Push him to walk as fast as possible without moving out of a walk. Once you have successfully trained him at a walk, move to the next gait. Teach him to travel at a fast pace, right at the edge of the next gait, but not breaking into the next gait.
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Step 5
Practice traveling in the horse's gaited speed when you ride. Different muscles are used for the special gait than those used by the horse out in the pasture. Keep them in shape by putting your horse through each gait every time you ride.
