6 secrets to free walk on a long rein

At the lower levels of dressage, you’ll be required to show free walk on a long rein, which may be asked for across a diagonal or performed on a circle or straight line.

Like any dressage movement, free walk takes practice if you’re to get it right and show the judges what they’re looking for. We’re here to help you do just that! 

Secret one 

Understand what’s required

The first step to riding a great free walk is to know what the judge wants to see. To ride this movement well, your horse needs to be…

• stretching forward, down and out into a long rein contact
• walking actively in a clear four-beat rhythm
• showing purpose with a good overtrack, when the footfalls of the hindlegs step into or beyond the prints left by the forelegs
• able to perform smooth transitions from the medium walk into the free walk and back again
• swinging through his back in a calm and relaxed manner

So, there’s plenty to think about when it comes to riding free walk steps well and while some horses naturally offer all of the above without much effort from the rider, others need a bit more encouragement. 

Top tip

Remember the movement is free walk on a long rein, not a loose rein, so be sure to maintain an even contact as your horse stretches down. 

Secret two

Give a little

Teaching a horse to accept the longer rein contact required for the free walk should be introduced a little at a time. 

Begin by riding an active medium walk on a 20m circle then start to – inch by inch – allow a little more rein contact. If your horse stretches forward and down, give a little more, but only offer as much rein as he will take. 

It’s usually better to try this towards the end of a schooling session when your horse is relaxed and will welcome the opportunity for a stretch. 

Did you know? 

After Medium level in dressage, the free walk on a long rein movement becomes an extended walk

Secret three

Ride over poles

Setting out poles on a curved or straight line can help teach your horse to maintain a better rhythm and develop more swing in his step. Make the distance between the poles around 75cm, but be prepared to adjust this slightly if necessary.

By setting up poles in a fan shape, with the distances set at about 75cm from middle to middle, you can practise adjusting the walk by collecting over the inside of the poles, then lengthening over the outer edges. The shortened strides will help to develop strength in his hindquarters, so your horse can push forward from his hindleg. Lengthening over the outside of poles, on the other hand, will encourage your horse to open his stride and take bigger steps, which is exactly what you want from him in free walk.

Top tip

Relax your seat and allow your hips to move with your horse in the free walk. This will encourage him to swing through his back and take longer steps. 

Secret four

Work on straightness

Some horses go wiggly when they’re asked to walk on a long rein, but this can be improved by using poles. Try setting out a channel with the poles about 1m apart, then ask for free walk between them – this will help keep your horse straight. 

Also, don’t forget that the more forward you have your free walk, the less wobbly your lines will be. Think of it as being similar to riding a bike – the better your momentum, the straighter you’ll go!

Secret five

Jilt the jog

Many riders struggle to prevent their horse from jogging in walk. Jogging usually means your horse is a bit tense or is anticipating what comes next in the test. 

In your schooling sessions, as you make the transition to walk, try using a little shoulder-fore positioning to encourage your horse to stay more balanced on his hindleg – this will make it more difficult for him to jog.

If he does start jogging, quietly correct him, then reward him when he walks again. With time, your horse will learn what’s required in this movement and jogging will become a problem of the past.

Top tip

With horses who anticipate test movements, try to avoid riding them where you’ll need to perform them in the test itself.

Secret six

Ride transitions

Transitions within and between paces are an essential part of your training and they can really improve your free walk, too. Once again, this exercise may be more effective when ridden on a 20m circle.

Starting in medium walk, gradually ask your horse to lengthen his steps into a more extended frame. As you do so, give the rein a little to provide 

enough room for him to stretch forward and down.

Next, ride a transition to medium walk again, then keep alternating between the two, carrying out the exercise on both reins. 

The aim is to see if you can keep your horse settled in the contact while maintaining a good balance and rhythm, and the more you practise, the better it will become.

Top tip

Make your transitions between the different walks smoother by gradually moving from one pace to the other and preparing for the transition well in advance.