Horse physiology: Natural smooth stride / good suspension system?

I haven't heard of any such formula for figuring how smooth a horse's gaits will be. Of course, I've heard the typical stuff about a long, sloping shoulder vs. a steep one, but nothing beyond that.

I'm curious, if you want 'smooth', why don't you want gaited? I've seen smaller TWH and MFTs, and there are the Icelandic ponies and other gaited small horses.

I personally prefer larger horses, between 15-16 hh. My last mare was 15.2 and she figured out on her own that by sidling up to any elevated surface I'm standing on, makes the mounting process easier and more comfortable for both of us. I never taught her to do it, but if I climbed up on a truck bumper or bit of stationary road-building machinery or rock or fire hydrant, she would bring her left side over for me to easily mount up.

I used to work for a carriage company and the boss allowed us to ride his working horses in the off season to keep them in shape. Dear Clem was a Belgian draft/Standardbred cross who looked like a big bay Belgian. Riding him at a walk was a serious flexibility workout for your back, but when he jogged it was like floating on glass. Jeb was a similarly-built purebred Belgian and his trot was nothing short of hilarious - all you could do was grab mane and hold on as you lurched up and down and laughed (provided you could stay with the movement at all). Highpockets, a Percheron he had, had a rough trot but he would easily transition into a heavenly, easy lope. Jeb wouldn't canter if his life depended on it, he would only trot harder and faster.

If the fact of being ridden isn't unpleasant for the horse, it's not hard to teach him or her to 'sidle up' to any impromptu mounting block. Mounting difficulties is the only reason I can think of for 'needing' a shorter horse, but maybe you have other reasons?

I wish you well in your search for the perfect horse for you!

If you don't get a useful answer here, you could try posting your question in the horse section instead of the pets section.

i'd advise a distinctive tire then going to suspension extremes. try going into distinctive set up. i'd advise finding right into a bf Goodrich or Michelin tire with a low rolling resistance. in spite of the indisputable fact that a marvel with adjustable rebound will help yet promises you greater "leap" and somewhat some the time are designed for a interest set up with a quick throw for a diminished motor vehicle.

Long pasterns generally make for a good suspension system, but I think you really need to ride the horse because theories are just that.