Develop focus, flexibility and balance – all in walk!

Dressage expert Sara Gallop demonstrates how to keep your horse supple, engaged and working at his best, without a trot or canter in sight!

RIDING IN WINTER can be a challenge. The dark days can put paid to any hopes of hacking and schooling your horse effectively can seem tricky when the ground is cold and hard. It often seems impossible to keep him at his best when you can’t go any faster than walk. Here Diane Green and her horse Winnie are having a lesson with dressage pro Sara Gallop. Diane is a para rider and her disability means she can only school Winnie in walk. Drawing on her flatwork skills, Sara shows effective ways to keep your horse supple, as well as engaged and working at his best, without using trot or canter.

First things first

Just because you’re taking things at a slower pace doesn’t mean your horse can think it’s a stroll in the park. As Sara explains, while it’s often overlooked, walking can be one of the most challenging paces to get right. “To have a good walk, it needs impulsion and activity,” she says. “These are the first things you need to achieve. Your horse needs to be pushing from behind and he also needs to be quick off your aids.” Performing exercises in walk can improve how supple your horse is, but set achievable targets. “When your horse has a good walk, he’ll be more supple and able to swing over his hindquarters,” explains Sara. “If he’s tight behind, he won’t be able to swing through his back and it’ll make him tight in front too, making bending movements more difficult. “Whatever you’re doing with your horse, remember not to overdo it. Even if you set out to ride for 45 minutes and achieve everything you want to in 20, leave it there.” Over the page, Sara explains her best exercises for getting the most out of your horse in walk.