Warming Up to Autumn: Reflections, Rides, and the Rhythm of the Walk
Dear Gorgeous Readers,
As I write to you, I’m sitting up in bed looking out at a rather gloomy day. It’s Sunday morning, a day of rest for me, and the perfect time to snuggle under the covers and type away. We’ve been blessed with a glorious week of sunshine, and now I can feel the rain on its way, which the ground is certainly in need of.
Life has been good since returning from my time away in South Africa and the UK. It’s been wonderful getting back to work and filling the diary with upcoming clinics. Next weekend, I’ll be heading to Libby Head’s barn in Georgia for a weekend clinic. I always enjoy my time there – working with the riders and their lovely horses.
Warming Up in Cooler Weather
As we settle into cooler temperatures here in Aiken, especially during those crisp early mornings, it’s a good reminder to give our horses extra time to warm up. Using a quarter sheet while walking on a long rein helps keep the hind muscles warm, particularly if your horse is clipped.
The Importance of Stretching
It’s so important to let your horse stretch before you begin schooling. Every horse in work should be allowed to walk on a long, loose rein for at least 10 minutes, followed by trot and canter work – long and low.
Avoid small spaces, tight turns, or lateral movements at this stage. Give your horse time to move around the arena in long straight lines and on 20-metre circles, allowing their muscles, ligaments, and tendons to warm up properly.
I often hear riders say, “I can’t walk my horse on a long rein to start, he’s too fresh and spooky.” In these cases, I suggest hand walking first. If, once mounted, you still feel you can’t safely walk on a loose rein, go straight into a trot or canter warm-up instead.
Getting the Walk Right
The walk is the hardest gait to get right and the easiest one to mess up. You want your horse to walk through their whole body, with a forward, purposeful march in a clear four-beat rhythm.
What often happens when riders start on a shorter rein is that the horse becomes over-bent (behind the vertical), loses impulsion, and stops walking through the body. This means the walk becomes leggy and disconnected, and the horse often drops behind the leg. There’s a reason collected walk doesn’t appear in dressage tests until Fourth Level and above …it’s not as simple as it looks!
Of course, you do need to practice collected, medium, and extended walks (depending on your horse’s age and stage of training), but only after the warm-up, when your horse is moving forward and the contact is established.
A great way to improve the walk is through transitions.
For example: medium walk → trot → medium walk → trot.
This helps carry the energy from the trot into the walk, to produce a more active, positive stride.
If your horse is physically ready, you can even work on collected walk → canter → collected (or medium) walk transitions.
Vary the number of walk steps – sometimes just a few and sometimes more – and focus on keeping your horse thinking forward as they come back into the walk. Make sure your arms move in a gentle rowing motion, to allow the horse to use their neck and back freely. It’s such a simple – but important – detail.
As for me, I think it’s time to get out from under the covers and go for a little walk myself. I’m off to seize the day!
Remember, dear readers, feeling happy now attracts more happiness into your life. Focus on what you want to invite in.
Happy riding, and until soon,
xx
