Walk this way

Want to improve your horse’s flatwork pace by pace? Dressage master Matt Hicks walks us through how to get the best out of the slowest gait

Matt Hicks is an international Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer. Although his original love was eventing, in which he competed up to three-star, he eventually decided that his passion lay in the dressage arena, where he’s enjoyed many years of success.

Walk is the pace horses spend most time in, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to achieve the walk you want under saddle or in competition. Whether your horse is blessed with an impressive, ground-covering step or has a more earth-bound, choppy stride, there are always elements that can be improved. Spending time focusing on walk will not only help you earn those elusive double marks for your free walk on a long rein in a test, but it will also allow you to teach your horse the fundamentals he needs to be successful in the trot and canter.

As a result, the walk is a natural place to start your work. I’ve developed three exercises for you to incorporate into your schooling sessions to help bring out the best in your horse’s walk.

The perfect walk

When we think of an ideal walk, we’re looking for…

• a clear, four-beat rhythm

• as much overtrack as possible

• an active, purposeful gait that doesn’t look laboured

• adjustability within the pace

TOP TIP

For an idea of what to strive for in the ultimate walk, browse video clips of professional riders competing and compare the action and ground cover of their walks and free walks to your own horse.