Loss of Attention in Free Walk

[sunny123]

In my last 2 (and only 2) dressage tests with Sunny, she has done a beautiful free walk for the first half but then she suddenly stops listening, sticks her head up and looks around, it then takes me a little while to get her back so it affects the next movement aswell. We really get marked down for this and I was just wondering what I can do to keep her attention for the whole movement. I probably gave her a bit too much rein, so I will try shortening them up a bit, do you think this is all it is or is there something else that I could try aswell.

Thanks alot
Sam

 

[Partoow]

This is such a common problem and a real waste of good marks as this has a x2 in the scoring.
Yes you are giving too much o the connection away. It is 'Free walk on a LONG REIN', that means still in connection . If you chuck the rein at the horse you will have this problem and also tension in the pick up, the judge is waiting for this as it gives a clear picture of submission and the quality of the connection.
The horse should want to seek the connection forward, that is the hindleg carrying forward to and through the connection so that the horse stretches forward in contact taking the nose down and forward the nose should be infront of the vertical. there should be maximum overtrack in the steps and the steps should be relaxed and swinging with a clear 4 beat rhythm. You need to make sur that the leg stays in contact with the ribs with the small of the back tall light and loose, dont push the walk with a driving seat but loose hips that follow and allow each of the hindlegs in each side of the horse steps through.
In the pick up you need to keep the squeeze through to the rein and then 'walk' the fingers up the rein to then regain the connection but make sure it does not change or destroy the quality of the steps or the swing that the free walk has developed.
When scholing at home i use the free walk as a break between exercises and practice the stretch and the re-connect.
i quite often start it on a circle so that it gives a more clear outside rein and connection from the inside leg.

 

[Baggybreeches]

I have a nosy horse and any difference in the contact makes her look up and around. I have even had a 'nosey horse' comment once! I dont know what the answer is but it is a bit of a bugger when the free walk is a double marker.

 

[Tempi]

You need to keep a contact on her mouth and keep using your legs to get her walking forwards and listening to you. Free walk on a long rein dosent mean meandering across the diagonal holding the buckle. It means a purposeful walk with the horse stretching down and forwards into the contact on a longer rein, but still with feeling in the hand.