In Hand Walking - More than Just Time Wasting

The walk gait is a beneficial gait to focus, and one that can often be overlooked. The walk should be a true four-beat pace, if there are variations it is likely that there is an issue or some discomfort. The walk should be a comfortable forward balanced pace which is something that should be achieved before we think about getting on our horses – after all, who wants to give a piggyback to someone if you can't even walk in a straight line without stumbling or straying to one side. Ensuring that your horse has a correct walk, will help to allow correct weight bearing over all four limbs, this will help to build muscle and encourage self carriage.

There are many ways to make taking your horse for a walk exciting and more taxing than you might think. One of the more common ideas is simply going on different routes, simply going exploring with along different routes is a brilliant idea. A second is including different terrain in the walk, the inclusion of long grass or hill work can be so beneficial in improving range of motion, hill work also helps to increase the weight through the front or hind end depending on the hill. Long grass, however, aims to increase range of motion due to lifting and walking through the foliage. Another way to make in hand walks more difficult is the addition of training aids, now this is often added later in the rehabilitation process. The training aids added can be for example side reins or, bum bands depending on the aim for each individual horse.

In hand walking is not only beneficial from a therapeutic view, but it also helps to increase confidence in both horse and rider. It allows the horse to rely on their handler when in scary situations or faced with something they don’t know how to face. The same can be said for the rider, if a rider is feeling anxious that then feeds into the horse. The rider being on the floor, walking next to the horse can give themselves confidence. Not only can it improve confidence but also help with manners as it allows the horse to walk with you rather than against you or barging through you.

I hope next time you think about taking your horse out, you consider taking them in hand.