Spanish Walk

[oldbat]

I always thought the Spanish Walk was a completely unnatural pace, taught by either kicking the horse's shoulder or hitting his legs with a whip and therefore to be avoided like the plague. That of course, was before we got BargyCob. He likes to remind me that old as I am there is something new to learn every day. he performs Spanish Walk naturally, both in the field and under saddle. He does so only at times of high excitement, ie strange horse approaching field, being asked to stay in walk when he thinks he should be galloping! Under saddle I usually gently encourage him to trot and move forward as it is a clear indication he is excited.
Does anybody else's horse do this? And would it be possible to train him to do this on cue? Or is that likely to be confused with extended walk if we ever need it?
Oldbat

[Boony]

Hi I had a Pre Stallin that was high school trained and was infact used at the spanish school in Jerez, he did spanish walk and at no time did it involve hitting or kicking his legs, in fact from the ground as soon as you picked up the reins and held them he would do it, the only time the whip is used is whilst teaching a youngster from the ground and the whip is used as a cue in conjunction with the reins to teach the horse which leg to use a light tap only, there are some usefull web sights that would have more information on how to teach your boy, you are lucky that he has taught himslef to a degree and you now just have to coincide your cues too him to teach him the correct time to do it, good luck x

[oldbat]

Thanks Boony. Would you mind passing on which websites? And how lucky you are to have one of these Jerez boys! I visited jerez and saw one performing to rodrigo's "Concerto para un gentilhombre." utterly beautiful and very inspirational
Oldbat.

[Boony]

Hi OB if you just google "teaching spanish walk theres a whole heap of stuff that comes up good luck x