The walk

Walking is a wonderful way to help your horse stay sound and relaxed.

We all know going for a hack is good for the mental health of your horse, as he can enjoy nature, get used to different environments, and receive new stimulations.

And what about the body? What about hacking when it comes to achieve bigger expression in the arena?

Walk is a very important gait, especially for a dressage horse, but I would encourage the jumping riders to use the walk as a training gait as well. However, it will only have the physical benefits if you take care of walking in a clear four beat rhythm, with the neck long and low, and with a nice, smooth and steady contact in the reins.

The walk is the only gait in which there is no suspension. So it is also the ideal pace for rehabilitation. In a sound horse, a proper walk means swinging of the back from hip to ears like a jungle cat. It really engages the whole spine like no other gait can do.

Hacking is not only good for the mental health, but also for proper connection through the back, stretch and deep muscle strength.

Therefore, you might want to include hacking in your weekly program, baring in mind the technical requirements to get the benefits. That is to say, if you go hacking with a fellow friend, try not to hold the walk back to wait for your friend (or the other way around). Rather make sure both of the horses have the four clear beat rhythm, long neck, steady smooth contact and willingness to stretch their steps forwards.

It is also a lovely feeling and releasing exercise for your hips, as a rider.

Enjoy and go with the flow of the swinging back of your companion!