Equitation walking problem?

Question

I was wondering..i show on school horses, so it's not like i trained the ones i ride and does any one have any advice to get a working walk from my horse while showing? On the one i ride, if i apply too much pressure she trots,..so if anyone has some good advice id really appreciate it! Thanks!

Answer 1

As you are walking, take relaxed, rhythmic breaths. Breathe in rhythm with the walk you want.

When it's time to ask for a bigger walk, continue your breathing, and relax your seat and lower back to let your body move more freely. Keep your seat moving in the rhythm of the walk as you breathe in a relaxed way.

Your breathing communicates to your horse that you feel good about what's going on. Your horse will pay attention to the rhythm, and if you stay relaxed and rhythmic when you ask for a bigger walk, she'll hear from you, "Keep this rhythm, but let's give it a little more energy."

If you tighten up when you ask for a bigger walk, she can interpret that as if you are saying, "Speed up and you'd better be ready for what's next!", which pushes her up into a trot.

If you notice and relax with your breathing, your riding will seem to magically improve, and your horses will seem to be magically happier with you! Give it a try!

Answer 2

It depends on how often you get to ride this horse, you can't expect him to remember what one in ten have tried to teach him...usually it's just a matter of finding the right balance between walking without a visable purpose and one that appears to be meandering.

Answer 3

Apply pressure but don't let her run thru the bit.  Use your hands, reins and legs together but at the same time, hold her just at the speed you want.  She will get the idea.

Answer 4

Hmm I don't really know how to descride it, don't really apply pressure, just sort of 'kiss' with your legs, evey stride in a rythm kind of flex your muscles (if the horse is a little slow, you might need to do more then that) it will keep a good rythem going, hopefully

Good Luck