Walking is under rated!

[Drummers mum]

I saw a post a couple of days ago about how cantering isn't everything and you should work on your walk and trot.

Well yesterday, I put canter aside and Drummer and I went for a walk round the big field. It was lovely. The sun was shining, we were both really relaxed. Drummer strode out, really stretched his neck and top line. I could feel him swinging beneath me and really using all his muscles to walk out! He felt so free!

It was a fab feeling, really made me grin and remember why I love riding so much and there's just no nead to go everywhere in a hurry!:D

[NuttyMare]

congrats on such a nice ride :D

i agree, walking is under rated. Its essential for getting a horse fit, but sadly people seem to rush the walking stage :(

[Sooty]

That's really nice to hear, D's Mum! Glad you had a great hack

I feel the same way. I think the most enjoyable times for me and my boy are when he's just swinging along at walk, completely relaxed, and I'm gazing at the countryside :cool:

[virtuallyhorses]

Absolutely!! I think we put some enormous pressures on ourselves - for no particular reason other than its a human trait :(
Walk and trot are also the best exercise for the horse since they are symmetrical gaits. :)

I went on a trek once with a really interesting horseman who said that 80% of everything you need to know about riding you can learn at the walk - but that most people miss it because they're so busy moving on to other paces. The movement, how your balance affects the horse, learning to feel where each leg is, the difference between relaxed and tense muscles, communication etc etc etc all those subtleties that you can\should learn about riding ...