Cueing a horses foot at a walk: the listening.

The walk is the most important, most difficult to understand and most under-utilized of all the gaits. The walk sets things up for everything that is to follow. This next exercise is is going to take a bit of patience on the part of the rider. The first part is about listening with all of your senses. Later we will talk about the doing.

Exercise:
Get on your horse and just walk. Allow him to move the way nature intended. There is no point in putting him in a frame or kicking or pulling to get the kind of walk YOU might want. Let him decide for a moment. Now isolate each sense one at a time. What do you see, smell, hear, feel etc.? Really focus on the rythym of the horses footfalls and how it effects him and then how it effects you. You can learn a lot about a horse and yourself by just allowing both of you to relax and walk. Notice everything and do nothing. Are you breathing? Is your shoulder locked? Are you nervous or relaxed? Is his gait smooth in cadence or not?...make up your own list. Ride this way for no less than 20 minutes. Hint: If you start getting bored, you aren't paying attention.