5 benefits of working in walk
Working in walk is an underrated type of training. When used properly, the walk has many benefits for endurance, stamina and coordination.
Walking on varied terrain can be great for keeping older horses fit.
When working our horses to develop stamina or strength, we mostly focus on work in trot and canter, but we shouldn't forget that the walk is actually a great way to develop both muscles and endurance. And while we might see it only as a warm-up and cool-down gait, we shouldn't overlook its potential benefits. Here are five ways in which working in walk can benefit your horse.
1. The horse's spine moves differently in walk than it does in trot or canter. Because there is no moment of suspension in the walk, this gait requires less stability through the spine. This means the vertebrae can move more. In walk, there is a much greater range of lateral flexion an axial rotation of the spine. This is why the walk is a great way to mobilize a stiff back!
2. Another consequence of there being no suspension phase in walk is that this gait is much easier on the joints. The horse can be safely worked for longer periods of time and more frequently in walk. It is a great gait for horses coming back from an injury or older horses who have joint issues.
3. While it might look like there is not much going on in walk, the muscles are actually working hard in a good quality walk. In trot, the horse relies a lot on the elastic energy saved by his tendons, using fascia as an energy saving mechanism. The ability to rely on elastic energy is greatly reduced in walk, which means the muscles will have to work harder. This is why the walk is a great gair to develop core strength. This is especially the case when working over cavalletti.
The walk is a great gait for teaching slow, controlled movements.
4. The walk is a great gait when it comes to training the nervous system. Re-learning healthy movement patterns is much easier in walk than trot or canter because the nervous system has more time to coordinate the body parts into healthy movement. It is also much easier for the rider to show the horse how he should be moving and correct him if necessary.
5. Long walks on the trail are great for developing stamina. Walking over varied terrain, through tall grass or water, is a great way to build endurance, strength and coordination.
Working in walk is a severely underrated type of training, but it can have powerful effects. It is great for both young and old horses, and everything in between. It is an extremely valuable tool when coming back from an injury or when re-educating a horse. Do an in-hand session and the walk becomes a great way to teach new skills. Add cavaletti and you can develop flexibility and spinal mobility. Take the horse out on the trail, and increase endurance as well as confidence. With a little imagination the walk can be used in many different ways and it can greatly benefit your horse, regardless of age, level or discipline.
Associated content:
Why cavaletti in walk is pure gold