Improving the free walk on a long rein

[Lenvale]

Message deleted

[Stella2]

I'd like to know this too!

[LynneAC]

Me too! The boy that I ride has got a lovely trot now (and a great canter on the lunge) but the crappiest walk (unless you're taking him to the field to his mates!). If you try and push him on he just starts jogging :( and then goes into a lazy slouch when you try and bring him back!

[IrisSilverMoon]

comb the reins a bunch, this is always my problem on tests too, the solution? show at a level they don't ask for that! LOL.

but for combing the reins you have them at normal contact and then you drag them upwards through your fingers gently. The horse should try to take the reins from you, and when he does let him, give him all the rein he needs and then as soon as his head comes up, do it all over again. be quick about giving him the reins, that's his reward...;) so eventually he'll take the big give in the reins as a signal he can stretch his head down...:)

[Dressagefreak]

Well, we've been working on it a lot lately, basicaaly, what I find works is that I give loads of leg with the leg the judge can't see(hehe) and squeeze the reins like sponges whilst letting them a little longer and holding my hands lower, almost asking the horse to overband but then letting it stretch forwards instead. We have gone from getting 5's and 6's to gettin regular 7's for that movement now!