It’s not always easy to keep your horse in walk – especially in a proper, relaxed walk. Sometimes, it feels like your horse is hurrying forward while you try your best to remind them that trot or canter is not on the schedule. So, what can you do? We've gathered some of the best tips from our editorial team, tailored for dressage riders, trail riders, and show jumpers alike.
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Many dressage riders are familiar with the challenge: after a canter exercise, transitioning back to a relaxed and purposeful walk can feel nearly impossible. The horse might struggle to relax, step through correctly, and remain in walk.
Trail riders often encounter a horse that remembers exactly where in the woods it last enjoyed a good gallop. Sometimes, all you can do as a rider is accept a bit of jigging until you reach that spot – unless, of course, you give in and let your horse bolt ahead at full speed.
Similarly, show jumpers rarely find their horse entering the arena without a bit of prancing. The horse may tense up more than necessary, which can negatively affect the course.
Whether you ride dressage, love jumping, or enjoy a quiet hack, teaching your horse to understand when walk means walk can make a significant difference. The key is helping them realize that walk doesn’t automatically lead to a trot or canter just around the corner.
When your horse starts to jig or is about to break into a trot, it might be tempting to completely remove your legs from their sides. However, this often makes the problem worse. If you let go with your legs, you give the horse the freedom to move forward at its own pace. Keeping light, consistent contact with your legs is important, as it doesn’t just mean “go forward”; it can also mean “stay with me.” Use your legs to maintain connection and let your horse know they need to stay with you.
As a rider, you must project the calmness you want your horse to feel. When your horse is tense, it’s essential to remain as relaxed as possible – even if you feel uneasy, frustrated, or nervous about their reaction. One way to convey relaxation is by following your horse’s movements. By syncing your seat with their rhythm, you can encourage longer, more fluid steps. Avoid pushing too hard; instead, let your hips follow their motion naturally. This relaxed rhythm can influence the horse to calm down and stay in walk.
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When preparing to ask your horse for a trot or canter, it’s crucial to gather the reins as gently as possible. Most horses recognize rein contact as a cue that something is about to happen. To prevent them from rushing forward, start collecting the reins early and do it centimeter by centimeter. A helpful exercise is to repeatedly shorten and release the reins while walking. This teaches the horse that rein contact doesn’t always mean a transition is coming and helps them stay in walk.
Unless you’re performing a dressage test in front of a judge, it’s always a good idea to calm your horse with your voice and a gentle pat. Remember to praise them whenever they respond correctly – but do so in a way that maintains the calm atmosphere. Building trust and keeping their attention on you can help them relax and stop anticipating when they’ll be asked to move forward.
Another way to teach your horse to stay in walk is to be mindful of where you ask for transitions. Horses are incredibly smart and quickly learn where they’re usually allowed to pick up speed. To outsmart them, vary your routines. Some dressage riders practice their tests in reverse order, while others mix up the gaits or intentionally place transitions in unexpected spots. Trail riders can challenge themselves to never trot or canter in the same location twice. Show jumpers might experiment by asking for trot before canter instead of transitioning directly from walk to canter. This helps the horse understand that there’s a middle ground between “go” and “full speed ahead.”
If you’re a competition rider, the best place to start perfecting the walk is at home. Practice in familiar settings like your usual arena, indoor riding hall, or well-known trails. Once your horse is confident and consistent in walk at home, they’re more likely to succeed in new or more challenging environments.
By incorporating these tips into your training, you’ll build trust, improve your horse’s focus, and make walk transitions a more enjoyable experience for both you and your horse.
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