Equestrian Life is an online community for horse people.
We bring together horse people across all disciplines, breeds and sports.
We invite you to connect with others who love horses as much as you do.

Horse Walking

Current Rating:
Views: 3,480
Favorite: 0
Categories: English, Hunter / Jumper, Dressage, Eventing, General, How-Tos

URL:
Embed:
Share

About This Video

The walk for a horse is a four-beat gait, and after mounting the horse, it's important to let the hips swing with the movement of the horse. Find out how to apply pressure to a horse's reins when it's walking with help from an equestrian riding instructor in this video on walking a horse.

Member Comments
Add A Comment Now

Make this Community Strong:

Be the first to add a comment!

You Must Log In In Order To Participate in the Discussion.

Video Transcript

Hello, my name is Chelsey Sawtell, primary riding instructor at black Friar Farm in Kingston Springs, Tennessee and today, we will be discussing the walk. As with any new vocation or sport, it is very important that should you get out of your comfort zone. You seek a assistance from a licensed horse professional, or otherwise knowledgeable person. The walk is a four beat gait. Prior to mounting your horse, you will want to make sure you have the proper safety equipment. Boots with a heal and a helmet are always required prior to riding. Always move slowly around the horses, you do not want to appear nervous or timid, but methodical in everything you do. Once mounted, you will want to apply the leg gaits to move the horse forward, you're now in the walk. Allow your hips to swing with the movement of the horse. You will notice that as the horse moves, it's legs fall in a kitty-corner rhythm, one, two, three, four and back to he same motion again. Applying slight pressure to the right rein will tip the horse's nose to the right and provide you with a mild right hand turn. A slight pressure to the left rein will tip the horse's nose to the left, providing an arc to left. If the horse becomes erratic or quick, light pressure to both reins will slow the horse and provide a more even rhythm. It is best advised that you do not leave the comfort of the walk, until you are completely competent turning right, left and halting at will. Mastering the walk is very important before you move on to any other gait.



Advertisement
Share This Video
Related Videos
How to Walk a Horse
Walking a horse is a great exercise for both the horse and the rider, as it warms them up and
Collection & Extension
Its important to know that strength and balance are essential for good extension and lengthening.
Gait Transitions: Walk to a Lope
Transitioning from a walk into a lope requires picking up the hands softly, pressing in with the…
The Various Gaits of a Horse
The quality of a horse's walk during horse reining should be relaxed, calm and quiet, which...
How to Walk Under and Behind a Horse
Walking under and behind a horse is a great way to get the horse comfortable with human contact...
How to Stop a Horse From Walking Off When You Mount
Horses might walk off while being mounted to regain their balance, so training them from an...
Day 3 Gina Miles on the Cross Country Track
Olympic Silver Medalist, Gina Miles, gives her predictions and insights on the cross country…
How to Walk Around a Horse
When walking around a horse, be sure to always touch them and speak to them so that the animal...
How to Approach a Horse
Approaching a horse in a stall involves reaching your hand out to get the horse to walk toward you,
How to Canter
Cantering not only requires cuing the horse properly, but also knowing how to maintain the right

See All 904 Related Videos

About The Producer
Expert: Chelsey Sawtell

Specialty: Young Stock and Horsemanship


Chelsey Sawtell specializes in young stock and horsemanship, and has had the opportunity to compete in various events, breed shows and disciplines, al

More Videos By Chelsey
Mounting a Horse
When mounting a horse, it's important to first do a double-check of the tack to make sure that it's
Meeting a Horse for the First Time
When first meeting a horse, it's important to move slowly and methodically, but not with timidity…
How to Groom a Horse's Tail
When grooming a horse's tail, it's important to use a silicone or conditioning spray to help the
Horse Riding Cross Country Attire
Attire for cross country horse riding provides an opportunity to show team spirit with brightly
Show Hunters & Fox Hunting in Horse Riding
In show hunters, a horse rider wears field boots with optional spurs, and the same is done in
Halting in Horse Riding
In horse riding, halting is a complex movement in which a horse moves forward into a standing
Horse Walking
The walk for a horse is a four-beat gait, and after mounting the horse, it's important to let the
Grooming a Full-Coated Horse
Grooming a full-coated horse can be difficult, and it requires a curry with a good nap, a shedding
Horse Dressage Attire
In horse dressage, traditional attire consists of field or dress boots, light or white breeches, a
How to Groom a Horse's Pulled Mane
Grooming a horse's pulled mane begins with cleaning and drying the mane, after which a metal…

See All 30 Videos

View Your Corral
View Your Profile
Link To Equestrian Life
Find Friends!