Western Pleasure Training

[ladybug0009]

I have a five year old Quarter Horse that I've had for 3 years. This fall he had surgery on both front feet for his club feet and now he's starting to be ridden again. Before the surgery and a four month lameness issue I was training him for hunt seat and dressage. Now that I'm starting to ride him again his stride is VERY short, shorter than it was. The prognosis for him is light use and I was considering western pleasure so maybe it wouldn't be as hard on him.

My question is, is it possible to train him to do western pleasure, he moves out a little but he's not a big mover at all. I used to ride cutters and I can ride western pleasure well enough for around here although as I said it's not my specialty. Any information would be helpful.

[Outrider]

Sure, you can train your horse for Western Pleasure, but with his club foot problems, I might suggest Western Trail. It is lighter work than Pleasure and judges won't look at what his feet look like, but rather how he places them on the trail obstacles. Happy Trails!