Keeping horses attention during free walk

[georgiegirl]

Any hints or tips?

Consistently getting mostly 8's and the odd 9 now for trot and canter work and when it comes to free walk on a long rein we plummet down to 5's and 6's. It usually starts off well for a few strides and then we get distracted, have a good nosey at everything and the stride shortens.

Thankyou!!!

 

[tweed]

Do you practice your free walks, and the transitions from medium to free and back again, at home? Also, if you have safe hacking, I have found that doing a bit of long and low at the walk when out and about stops them expecting a directionless holiday whenever you loosen the contact.

 

[philamena]

It may work better for your horse to do the movement more progressively. Lots of people turn the corner, give the horse a long rein and hope for the best. If you eke the rein forward only as the horse actively stretches forward and down, really keep them marching with your seat, keep them taking a little more forward and then a little more, then the horse is actively doing something rather than chilling out for a few strides and then getting distracted...