Renowned gaited horseman since 1980, Larry was very successful in the show ring, winning regional, national and Grand National championships. In 2002 he was the trainer of the year. He has held judges cards in several gaited breeds.

Initially, he trained using the traditional gaited horse methods, thinking these were the only way to yield gait. As his training progressed he wanted to train gaited horses to a higher level so they would gait for any level rider and the riders could count on them to be safe and dependable. In his quest to learn correctness and lightness, Larry began studying classical dressage in the early 1990’s from contemporary masters who had studied under Nuno Olivera and at classical schools in Europe.

Classical training teaches the horse to rebalance itself into a relaxed frame of collection, engaging the hind legs. Engagement of the hind legs, whether false or real is what makes a gaited horse gait. Larry learned to bring horses into a more classical frame to gait. When you strengthen the correct muscles, the horse can carry a rider and rebalance into a natural collection.

Larry learned in short order that horses were more consistent in their gait and could perform gaits with a wider range of speeds when classically trained. Correct training builds confidence in a horse.

Natural horsemanship puts a great foundation on horses and prepares the horse mentally and physically to begin training for collection. Classical training then takes communication with the horse to the next level of lightness. Most gaited horses only need a mild degree of collection to gait.

Larry continues his education each year from classical dressage instructors. He travels the U.S. and Canada doing clinics and equine expositions. His goals are to help people understand what makes gaited horses gait so we can spare the horses from some of the training myths attached to the gaited world that are not in the horse’s best interest. By making things better for the horse, the horse will be smoother, safer and more dependable for riders.

Larry teaches you how to teach your horse to relax so you can teach a correct response with the least effort. He teaches you how to teach your horse to respond to subtle cues. His clinics are a shot in the arm for your riding program providing very intense instruction to all levels of riders on their own horses that instills an eagerness you will carry with you so you can further your relationship with your horse at home.

“My Schleese Devin saddle is what I have been waiting on for many years. I work my gaited horses in it. A gaited horse has a different twist in the ribs from a trotting horse and I need one that distributes my weight evenly. Almost all the gaited saddles are built on a quarter horse tree with minor adjustments. So they have a 30-degree twist and are 90 degrees in the shoulders. Widening the tree doesn’t work, you must change the angles. I know of only two saddles made for gaited horses that are truly correct and I have seen them all. Almost all gaited horses of every breed are 12 degrees twist or close to that.

Also my Schleese puts me in a correct riding position, with my ears, hip, and ankles in alignment. This way I don’t interfere with the spine and the hind legs. Most gaited saddles put me in a chair seat which causes many gaited horses to pace because you sit on the spine which slows the footfall of the hind foot, among other things. I ride many gaited horses each weekend and they all gait more freely in my Schleese saddle.”

 Larry Whitesell