Western Dressage

The Free Walk

by Kelley Bitter

The new WDAA tests are out! I for one am thrilled to see some of the changes that were made along with the addition of a new level 5 test. These new tests really do a good job showing the dressage elements for the working western horse. Every test shows how the skill level of the horse and the rider develop. One of my favorite changes is the free walk. A few tests now have the free walk in a half circle. That is progression. Let’s talk about the free walk.

The free walk is an important maneuver in western dressage. Yet it is the gait that riders spend the least amount of time working on. We must remember that the walk, although simple, must show the same quality of every other gait. The free walk has its own place on the judge’s sheet. In fact, it is a double coefficient. So, what are the judges looking for and how do we accomplish a quality free walk?

In the free walk the horse is allowed complete freedom of the walk gait. The horse should look relaxed with head down, nose out, and neck stretched out. The horse’s back should swing showing relaxation and that is an important aspect of what judge is looking for. The rhythm and tempo should be the same as the working walk. However the stride is more ground covering, which is what shows the quality of the free walk. It is not faster but instead a longer stride. In some tests the free walk is done in a straight-line diagonal on the rail, or a half circle which is on some of the new tests. The challenge here is moving the horse straight or having the horse bend in the half circle using leg and seat aids. Your seat is balanced, and your hands are loose allowing the reins to slide down encouraging the horse to let his head move down and forward. The reins stay loose during the free walk. I like to bring my hands down toward my thighs. This shows the judge that my reins are loose and that I have no contact with my hands during the free walk.

How do you work on the free walk? First realize your horse’s ability. Some horses don’t have a natural ability to lengthen a stride or stretch their neck out. Be aware of what your horse can and can’t do, when you start working on the free walk. If your horse has a naturally short stride, practice moving him out within his ability. The stock horse will not have the same lengthening of stride as a thoroughbred. But if you keep working consistently on his stride, he will open his shoulders, stretch out and move more freely. On the other hand, if you have a hotter horse that is springier and has an over stride, you will need to work on collecting and slowing the stride without losing the length. Judges want to see riders who know their horse and can demonstrate a true partnership.

Remember the wheel of training? Relaxation is one of the first things you work on with your horse. I often see riders cool their horses by loosening the reins and letting the horse just walk. I like to start training the free walk during cool down time. The horse is relaxing, the head lowers and drops as I let the reins loose and just walk forward. However, I have worked some horses that just don’t drop their head even during a cool down. To help a horse stretch his neck, I will rub both sides of his neck near the withers. This can help the horse relax and stretch out.

To start, I pick up the reins slightly then release then again giving the horse a place to go reaching his head forward and down. The goal here is to get the horse to connect when reins drop the head goes out and down. Once I know the horse understands the loose rein, I work on the stride. I tend to squeeze my leg gently as the horse moves forward. As the horses right front leg moves, I squeeze slightly with my left leg and push my seat forward. If he moves faster, I pick up the rein blocking him. Like anything else, consistent practice is important. The most common issues that occur in a horse are a tight back, chewing or holding the bit, or the horse holds his breath. Common issues with the rider are not letting the reins out or not pushing the horse to lengthen strides. Remember there is no magic wand to get a great free walk. Every horse responds differently and has different abilities. It is up to you to know your horse, practice and then show the judge how you and your horse work as a team riding your western dressage test.

Remember everyone to enjoy the ride!

Kelley Bitter is the owner of Buckeye Performance Horse Center in Newbury, Ohio. A second-generation horsewoman. Kelley began riding and showing at 4 years old. In her teens, she started riding Arabians in various discipline and won several Regional and USEF titles over the last 50 years. Kelley started riding western dressage with her sister’s Paint when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and could not ride anymore. She stayed with the discipline learning as she went from showing and reading about western dressage. In 2018 Kelley attended the WDAA Train the Trainer program. She has won several titles including placing two of her Arabians in the WDAA World show in 2020 top 15. At the WDAA International Challenge 2021 she placed with her Quarter Horse, Arabians and her student received top ten in the Gaited Division. Kelley currently runs training programs for beginners and begin again riders, Western Dressage, and Arabian Sport Horse. Kelley also holds a certification as a Mental Performance Coach and help equestrians in all disciplines overcome fear, anxiety and stress in the show ring.

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