Dressage Riding and mastering the Free Walk on a Long Rein …

Winning basic dressage points in the free walk and making sure you don’t lose points on basic dressage movements.

The free walk on a long rein is another area where the dressage rider can pick up an easy mark.

The rider should retain a light contact with the bit, rather than a loose rein.

The correct definition of free walk is maximum stretch with contact.

You can easily spot a dressage horse who doesn’t have a good free walk, as his steps will be affected.

• Your horse may under track in free walk

  If you have too much contact and do not allow your horse to stretch down.

• Your horse may over track in free walk

  If you allow too much stretch in the neck.

Basically … You should concentrate on the following points in free walk

• Try to maintain an active pace without rushing.
• Always make sure you maintain a long rein and not a loose rein.
• Always aim for maximum neck stretch, while maintaining the contact at all times.