The walk is the most basic way of the horse riding.
You may think it is easy enough but this movement is the foundation of any other horse riding activities.
It is very important because you will not improve your trot or canter skills without understanding the walk skills property.
The walk is a "four step gait".
This means that the horse moves each leg in turn – right hind leg, right foreleg, left hind leg and left foreleg.
Only one leg is lifted and other their three legs are always touching to the ground.
As the horse walks you will feel the body sway from front and back. However, you will not feel any ups and downs.
In terms of the speed, it is 110meter per minute, in other words it is about 6.6kilometer per hour.
Novices tend to kick the horse unnecessary to let them start walking.
Some horses may not be as responsive as others, we recommend always starting communicating more gently.
To ask a horse to walk, you squeeze it gently with your lower legs and move ankles slowly to send the aid.
Do not move your ankles dramatically; keep the position of your toes the same.
If your horse is not so responsive, you need to increase the pressure gently.
The best is to use the signs in the different strengths depending on individual horses.
Once the horse starts to move forward, you need to use your legs in the right timing, for example, use your right leg when the horse's left shoulder comes forward and vice versa.
You can feel that the hind leg of the same side as your used leg will come forwards following your aid.
This is due to the mechanism of "four step gait".
If you use your left leg when the right foreleg comes forward, this means the hind leg is about coming forward.
This means that the rider is sending the aid to 'move your hind leg forward' by squeezing the horse by their leg.
You can move the horse with the minimum efforts by sending aids according to the movement of the horse.
Practicing to find out the right timing to use your legs is important because sending good aids also means reducing the stress on both the horses and riders.
Novices tempted to use reins to make the horse turn but this is not the best practice.
The reins can be used as a support tool but you should use your legs and balancing skills to make the horse turn to the desired direction.
If you pull the reins too hard, the horses will shake their head to ease the pain.
The horse's mouth is very delicate. Use your reins very gently.
The slalom, which is illustrated below, is a good way to practice leading horses to different directions.
Novices tend to move to the trot once practiced the walk for a while, however we recommend to walk without the stirrups before moving on.
It is normal for novices to relay on the stirrups but they should get used to balance on the seat bones.
This practice will help improve the canter skills quicker.
Remove the stirrups and relax both legs, stretch towards the ground.
Keep the back straight, focus on seat bones, feel the contact with the saddle.
As the illustration below shows, imagine the legs are extended straight from the seat bones.
Be aware to weight equally on the both side, ensure that you place the lowest part of the seat bones on to the right above the horse's spine.
This is a very effective way to practice balancing whilst you are focusing on the walk.
The balance ball exercises which we talk about other page is also a helpful exercise.
You will understand the horse's movement and harmonise the walk better when you ride a horse without a saddle.
This is a great way to practice your balancing skills on the seat bones. Also you can feel the horse directly.
However, this may be dangerous until you get used to it. Start with a gentle horse and ask someone to gait it for you.
The riders tempted to grip the horse hard with legs to take a balance but always keep it in your mind to balance on the seat bones.
Next page, we are going to talk aboutHow to improve your riding skills: The Trot, part 1.Check it out!
