The Walk

Motion

The walk is the slowest, steadiest, and most comfortable of a horse's paces (gaits). It is a natural 4-beat movement in which each footfall is distinct.

The horse always has two or three hooves on the ground in the walk. When a horse is at the walk he lifts his hooves in the following sequence:

1. off (right) hind
2. off (right) fore
3. near (left) hind
4. near (left) fore

Sit the Horse

To ask a horse to walk, gently squeeze with your lower legs, after the horse starts to move forward relax your legs.

Some horses do not respond as well as others and they may need a gentle kick with both your heels to move forward. If the horse begins to stop, squeeze softly with your lower legs to tell the horse to continue.

When a horse walks, it will move its head forward and back. Relax your arms so that your hands move back and forward with the movement of the horse's head. Maintain a consistent slack on your reins that follows the horse's natural movement.

Stopping

To ask a horse to halt from the walk, stiffen your lower back, squeeze gently with your legs, and gently pull the reins back toward your chest. When the horse has stopped, relax your legs and back and exhale deeply.

If a horse doesn't stop right away, shout "whoa!" in a loud voice, pull the reins to your chest and then release them using less leg pressure, and relax your body.

Turning

To turn a horse to the left, gently pull back on the left rein asking the horse to bend his neck to the left. Move your right leg slightly back and apply slight pressure while turning.

To turn a horse to the right, gently pull on the right rein, move your left leg slightly back and apply slight pressure while turning.