Free walk in tests

[Shoei]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice. Chesters come on leaps and bounds thus last year with his dressage but we still loose marks on our free walk. As a gelderlander it's taken time to get him to stretch down and out which he does beautifully now although but at shows he often goes down and in!

I'm hoping it's a confidence thing but I wondered if anyone had any advice?

Thanks

 

[equi2012]

Keeping your hands a bit wider and lower can help to remind him of what you’re asking. I’d say make sure the walk is nicely forward but not rushing-make sure you can count a steady 1,2,3,4 rhythm. Some horses naturally stretch down and others aren’t so keen, but with mine I try and offer the reins forwards like a half halt-but instead of drawing them back towards you, offer them down to his mouth and ask him to search for the contact. It might help to try more ‘extended walk’ keeping him more on the contact, as lots of people throw away their reins and do free walk on a loose rein! Hope that is some help