Back to Basics: Walk This Way
Biz deconstructs the components of a dressage test for us in her Back to Basics series. Today, we’re looking at the walk.
Photo by Francy Haupt
The walk is one of those things to which one could dedicate an entire book, but since I lack the mental fortitude to complete such an ambitious project (just ask my husband how my “novel” is coming) and the internet has programmed us all to have TL;DR syndrome, I’m going to address two components that will help set the foundation for a quality walk.
Rhythm
The first major component of the walk is its rhythm. Each gait has its own unique rhythm which differentiates one gait from the next. If your horse changes rhythm, he is in fact changing gaits. While your horse’s tempo (speed of footfalls) can change within a gait, his rhythm cannot.
With that said, the walk is the gait most prone to rhythm irregularities, so what’s generally happening there is that the horse is inserting little steps of trot into the walk which alters the rhythm. This is caused by tension of some form, and because dressage should always be ridden with a relaxed horse, rhythm irregularities are often a dead giveaway when the horse is not relaxed.
So in order to recognize when the rhythm is irregular, we need familiarize ourselves with the correct walk rhythm in the first place. To help you with that, I’m going to give you a bit of a music lesson.
One quarter note = one stride. Graphic courtesy of Biz Stamm.
So here we have the humble quarter note, which is equal to one beat, and for the purpose of understanding the walk rhythm, we’re going to say that it also equals one stride. Below is a short clip of Helix walking, and what I’d like you to do is tap your hand on your thigh every time his right front leg touches down. There is your quarter note/stride.
Okay — I know I said my pony wasn’t fancy, but he has one heck of a walk!
Below we have a sixteenth note (noted by the two tails). It takes four sixteenth note to equal one quarter note. In our analogy, the sixteenth note is equal to one footfall, and it takes four evenly-spaced footfalls to create one stride.
Graphic courtesy of Biz Stamm.
So let’s go ahead and count along with Helix’s walk including each footfall, again, beginning with the right front leg. ONE, two, three, four, TWO, two, three, four, THREE, two, three, four… etc. That rhythm needs to stay constant at the walk, otherwise you are not really walking. In order to get a good feeling for this, walk your horse on a hard surface like the cement aisle at the barn and really listen to what that sounds like.
The balancing gesture
At the walk, the horse’s head bobs along in what is called a balancing gesture. You can see it a bit my clip above, but I have also attempted to make an animation demonstrating it below. (Don’t worry, I won’t be quitting my day job to join the Pixar crew at any time in the near future.)
So your horse’s head moves at the walk. It is one of the defining characteristics of the walk, but all too often it gets blocked by unyielding hands. When riding the walk correctly, it is important to move your hands WITH your horse’s balancing gesture. Doing otherwise might cause him to stop, or move up into a gait with no balancing gesture, like the trot, causing rhythm irregularities. (See what I did there?! I think that’s called a callback.)
Go riding!
Biz is the author of Horse Nation’s “Back to Basics” series, which follow the journey of a “somewhat ordinary” horse and rider pair as they strive for greatness. Catch up on her past columns by clicking the #BACK TO BASICS at the top of the page.
Biz Stamm is a part-time seed scientist and full-time trainer/riding instructor specializing in starting young horses for sport horse disciplines. She brings the analytical mind she developed while working in a lab to her riding and teaching, emphasizing a thorough understanding of how the horse’s body works. She currently owns two horses: the Kalvin Cycle (Kalvin), a 9-year-old half-Arabian gelding, and DB’s Alpha Helix (Helix), a 4-year-old Kiger mustang gelding. While she is currently pursuing competitive goals, her main goal is to enjoy her horses, and for her horses to enjoy her.
Show Jumper ‘Nautical’ to Be Inducted Into Palomino Hall of Fame
By guest contributor Noelle Maxwell .
No Fear: Training a Horse Through Relaxation
Creating a true partnership with your horse doesn’t have to involve long sessions in the round pen or on the lunge line, argues Melanie O’Neill. She presents an alternative: working a horse to relaxation rather than exhaustion.
Fleeceworks Morning Feed: Can’t Afford a Horse?
There are always more cost effective options if you’re far too cautious to throw money into the horse pit!
Screenshot via Huisdierplein on Facebook.
We all know horses are expensive. More than just expensive, they’re gosh darn money black holes. My running joke is that I should just put my money straight into my horse’s hay feeder — he’d probably still eat it!
So with that in mind, we know that some people may want to find a suitable alternative to their chosen sport. The good news? We’ve found it for you. The bad news? There really isn’t any. We’d like to introduce you to … hamster agility!
While this course is set up similarly to a dog agility course, there are several modifications you could make to satisfy your equestrian needs. First off, the tiny show jumps are probably the cutest thing we’ve ever seen. Second, all you’d need to fashion some cross country obstacles would be some sticks from your yard. The possibilities are endless.
While we’re at it, this could go in many directions. Hamster dressage … hamster penning … hamster in hand … the possibilities go on and on.
Check it out: (must be logged in to Facebook to view).
Ook je hamster kan je veel leuke dingen leren!!
Posted by Huisdierplein on Monday, January 18, 2016
When you factor in your monthly expenses of a horse versus a hamster, the clear winner is the hamster. The tiny hiccup might be that there are probably all of five people in the world who know how to train hamsters. Perhaps there is some sort of Natural Hamster-ship DVD you could purchase for your new hobby.
What do you think, HN? Ready to give up horses for hamsters?
Nah, we didn’t think so. But it’s good to know there are options.
Why Your Horse Is Better Than Your SO
Boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, partners … let’s be real, your true significant other is your horse.
Flickr/Steve Jurvetson/CC
Yes, we love our human companions who allow us to spend every waking moment with another living creature, and then tolerate us when we come home smelling like the farm. But there are also a few tongue-in-cheek reasons that the horse is truly a superior creature, no matter how much you love your SO.
- If your horse “drops” or does the “squat and squirt” in public, no one will care. The police will not be involved. Your kids will not be placed in foster care.
- If your horse isn’t the one for you, no one will bat an eye when you list him or her on Craigslist.
- The horse doesn’t protest getting dragged out during Sunday playoffs or the season finale of The Big Bang Theory.
- Your horse doesn’t care if it eats the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner … every day of the year.
- If, God forbid, your horse is a dangerous monster and you ship him to that one particular auction barn, people will eventually forgive you and move on (after you’re bashed over the internet for awhile).
- You can dress your horse up in any color or pattern with no protest. You can even go out in public totally matching.
- If it’s just not working out, there’s no alimony, child support or dividing of assets.
- Gelding is totally acceptable.
- You can have multiple horses and not feel unfaithful.
- You can always trade your horse for a younger, better-looking one.
Go riding!
Fantasy Farm Wednesdays: 350-Acre Training Paradise
Introducing a new regular column on Horse Nation, in which we feature a daydream-worthy equestrian property currently on the market. All we need to say about our first featured property: NINE ARENAS, Y’ALL.
Spectra VET Performance of the Week: Steeplechase Save
You know it’s good when the announcer says “He’ll never recover from that!” AND THEN HE DOES.
Screenshot via YouTube
Seven-year-old Killultagh Vic was the 2-7 favorite for Sunday’s Grade 2 Novice steeplechase at Leopardstown on the Emerald Isle and was plucking along just fine at the front of the pack… until total disaster struck.
The horse’s striding, takeoff, and form were perfect to the final fence and had seemingly cleared the way for victory when his front feet when completely out from under him, and the horse was suddenly splayed out on the turf like a bear rug on the cabin floor.
Veteran jockey Ruby Walsh managed to remain completely centered over the horse throughout the chaos, which in horse racing time seems to last an eternity, but the ferociously competitive pair returned to their feet and dug in.
Walsh never regained his right stirrup, and finishes the race still in jockey form using one stirrup and pure muscle alone. Oh, did I say finish? I meant WIN.
Despite getting passed by two solid competitors, Killultagh Vic manages to overtake horses Blair Perrone and Lord Scoundrel in just a matter of a few hundred yards to win by 3/4 of a length. Some are calling it one of the most miraculous comebacks in horse racing history, and they may be right.
“It was a good performance to get back up and win, wasn’t it?” Walsh told The Irish Times. “He’s got some turn of foot, and that’s with me flapping up and down on him.”
In other words, in addition to Walsh being one of Ireland’s most legendary riders, he also made one of history’s best recoveries, and did it with an obscene amount of modesty. And in case you’re wondering, I’m sorry to say he’s sadly not on the most eligible bachelor’s list, with a wife and three daughters. If you want to learn more about Ruby Walsh, you can follow him on Twitter and check out the three part YouTube series on him here. Killultagh Vic will get some rest in preparation for Cheltenham’s JLT Chase in March, where he’s currently the 4-1 favorite.
Go Vic and Ruby, and Go Riding!
Why SpectraVET?
Reliable. Effective. Affordable.
SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.
We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.
The Idea of Order: Poo Soup
Because why shouldn’t horses get to poop in little bowls of water too? (more…)
World Equestrian Brands Drone Cam: Greece Beach Ride
Today’s four-minute escape takes us on a jaw-droppingly beautiful beach ride along the blue waters of the Mediterranean on Greece’s Corfu Beach.
Weird But True Horse Facts: The Arabian
Test your knowledge of this popular breed!
(more…)
Show Some Brass: A Closer Look at Horse Brass
More than just mementos of a bygone era.
New NYC Carriage Deal: Solution or a Bigger Problem?
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s latest pledge looks at first like a win-win for the city and carriage drivers alike. However, a closer look reveals that nothing can be that simple, especially not the fate of over 200 carriage horses.
6 Horses Who Have Mastered the Jolly Ball
Watch out, LeBron: You’re not the only balla in town anymore.
If like any good horse citizen you’re struggling to ‘adult’ this frigid day in January, please take a moment to indulge in these six horses who are also totally opposed to any kind of ‘adulting’. And if you’re curious how your own four legged monster might take to a toy of his own, snag one from our lovely friends at SmartPak!
- Hot Rod could do some damage with his Jolly Ball. Remember in elementary school when you got beaned in the face during kickball? It would be kind of like that, but the school bully is 1100 pounds.
2. Miguel the Soccer Pro. This guy, on the other hand, is more of a professional. He’s refined his skills in hopes of playing for Manchester City.
3. Romeo vs. Ball. This lad, however, plays like he’s out for blood. He wants to see the ball go down. Pop and wither in absolute unconditional surrender. It’s not a game. It’s a battle to the death.
4. Cruz is Adorable. This little Kiger mustang is giving it his all to emulate Romeo as a ferocious monster, but ends up just being completely, hopelessly adorable. And the description isn’t kidding; the ball totally wins against this little guy and it’s hilarious.
5. Einstein’s Theory of Size Relativity. In the space-time continuum, the ball is definitely winning here, on the basis of Einstein just not taking up as much space. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in exceedingly tiny razor sharp hooves.
6. Legacy Obsidian uses ball to look even more gallant and noble. For this Arabian stallion, the ball is just a convenient excuse to snort, run, and look ridiculously athletic and gorgeous. We wholeheartedly approve. (note: you will have to be logged into Facebook to see the video.)
Silly boy!
Posted by Windhaven Ranch on Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Go Riding.
Horse Lifestyle TV Featured on #EquineArtHour
“Netflix” for horse people!
Back on Track ‘Horse Therapy’: Jessica & Honeycomb
“Divorce isn’t easy on anyone, but when you’re an eleven-year-old girl it’s pretty awful.” Jessica tells the story of Honeycomb, a lesson pony who made her smile when nothing else could.
Tuesday Video: The Lunging Pig
We can’t even.
If this video doesn’t break the internet, we don’t know what will. Start off your Tuesday morning with this pig… who lunges. As long as he’s following his favorite horse, anyway. As a disclaimer, we should probably mention that we don’t recommend you try this at home unless you have a horse-broke pig, a pig-broke horse, and a couple of handlers who definitely know what they’re doing.
(Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)
How To Train Your Pig#WTF | PegaseBuzzHahaha, je savais bien que l’équitation était un sport de cochons !
Posted by PegaseBuzz on Tuesday, January 5, 2016
The feet! The grunting! The PIG!
Go pigs. Go riding.
‘Oh Crap’ Monday: PA Farm Show Edition
If you’re going to have an “Oh Crap” moment, might as well have it in the packed coliseum of the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
An indoor carriage obstacle race at the Pennsylvania Farm Show went a bit south last week when a horse and carriage rolled over in the coliseum. Thanks to the quick reactions of the driver, navigator and show staff, however, what could have been a very scary incident was brought under control in a matter of minutes.
How many times do you watch a wreck or near-wreck and think “wow, if only the crowd stopped screaming and they turned off the loud music” or “geez, this would have gone better if perhaps the show staff did this or that”? This video is a textbook example of what you hope every show would do: the crowd goes respectfully quiet when the announcer requests silence, the horsemen and horsewomen react quickly and safely, and the horse trots happily out of the arena to applause.
(Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)
Carriage racing accident at the Pennsylvania Farm ShowThe audience fell silent after a horse took a tumble during carriage racing at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Posted by PennLive.com on Thursday, January 14, 2016
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is an East Coast staple, taking place annually each January in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The wide array of agricultural displays and competitions makes it the ultimate state fair with the comforts of an indoor setting.
Have an “Oh Crap” moment to share? Email your photo/video and a brief explanation of what is going down to [email protected]! Instagram users, tag your moments with #OhCrapHN (your photos need to be set to public or we won’t see them!)
Go forth and tackle your Monday, Horse Nation. Go Riding!
Equine Law: Basic Wills for Horse People
It’s never too early to start planning for the future, and the new year is a good time to start looking forward. Kjirsten Lee, J.D. has some legal advice for horse and equine business owners regarding estate plans.
Weekly Instagram Round-Up
A week of horse life, captured in your images!
A Comic to Kick Off Your Week
Need a little comic relief for your Monday? You’ll get a kick out of Kellie Lewis’ latest comic!
Kellie Lewis
KickyBrand.com is an online horse lovers site currently selling clothing, greeting cards and stickers. It also routinely publishes a cartoon strip by Kellie Lewis that has a little bit of kick to it.
SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: Stuff Riders Say… To Non-Riders
“I’m at the barn. No, barNNN. Not BAR. It’s 9 AM!” SmartPak, you’re killing us yet again.
Jumper Nation: Eagerly Anticipated George Morris Autobiography to Drop in March
“Unrelenting: The Real Story: Horses, Bright Lights, and My Pursuit of Excellence by George H. Morris” promises an up-close-and-personal glimpse into the life of a legend.
KY Performance Products: Winter Challenges & Laminitis
Winter can be a challenging time of year for horses with a past history of laminitis. Kentucky Performance Products explains why.
Image courtesy of Kentucky Performance Products
From the Kentucky Performance Products Tips & Topics blog:
Horses who have suffered from laminitis in the past may have damaged vascular supplies in their feet. During cold periods, the horse’s body decreases blood flow to the extremities to conserve heat. In a normal horse this does not cause harm, but in a horse with a damaged vascular supply, it could limit blood flow enough to cause pain. Protect at-risk horses from exposure to severe weather with blankets and leg wraps. Provide adequate shelter and deep beds that offer insulation from the cold.
Article written by KPP staff.
Copyright (C) 2014 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC. All rights reserved.
Article sponsored by Ker-A-Form; a blend of vitamins, minerals, and fats that nourishes skin, hair coat, and hooves.
When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.
About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC: Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.
Best of Craigslist: Special Edition
We interrupt your Friday evening to bring you this special Best of Craigslist report.
Reader Halle sent us this message: “Found this while I was searching around horse sale websites. Not a Craigslist ad, but I thought you guys might be interested! It looks like a normal farm…until you see the horses they have for sale.”
It start innocently enough: a nice photo of a horse and rider, silhouetted against the setting sun, with a description and brief history of the farm:
Via Equine Now ad
Moriarty Family Farms is a breeding and training facility in Pocahontas, Iowa. Run by the prestigious Michael and April Moriarty, MFF produces top-notch horses of various breeds, and the spectrum is ever-widening. Michael and April work with others in the Moriarty family, Michael’s siblings, cousins, and in-laws, such as Chadwick, Minnie, and Mildred Moriarty, to make MFF a completely family-run and very special place.
April May Moriarty, née March, born April 1st, 1988, in Pocahontas, Iowa, was raised in an equine-focused environment, as her father, Frederick Henry March, owned a number of racehorses. She met Michael Matthew Moriarty, who is now her husband of eight years, at a Thoroughbred breeder’s meeting in Kentucky. Coincidentally, Michael’s family was also from Pocahontas, but Michael had been away at a boarding school in Louisiana for the last few years, and they hadn’t had the chance to meet. Over the years, they grew much closer, their mutual love of horses being the first and foremost of their shared interests. Shortly after their marriage in 2007, Michael’s father, Donald Tristram Moriarty, owner of Moriarty Family Farms, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. He left the family farm to Michael, who was more than happy to take up the tradition that had been passed down through many a Moriarty generation. Since then, Michael and April have dedicated every waking moment to their shared passion, and together they have made Moriarty Family Farms the perfect replica of their visions. Now, as they have come to the highest point in their breeding careers, much due to their ownership of Zeus’ Thunder, they have decided to branch out a bit and share their beloved passion with others of their kind: the fellow horse lovers of the world.
Seems legit-ish. Now for the horses:
Via Equine Now ad
Max is a spirited, spunky young boy with a promising future. He’s not yet broke to ride, and definitely not for inexperienced riders. To be honest, we’re selling him because he’s a bit of a handful, and juggling his training and everything else we’ve got going on here just isn’t going to work out for us. If things weren’t as crazy as they are, I’d be more than happy to keep this little guy, but as it is, we can’t handle it. I’m really going to miss Max, and I know he has great potential if you just work at it enough, so a good home is an absolute must.
Hey, we get it. Lots going on at your breeding/training/boarding facility, young colt is a handful, needs to move on. The ad photo? That’s bizarre, but surely the other horses for sale make more sense.
Via Equine Now ad
Aphrodite Eclipsed is the perfect addition to any Arabian breeder’s herd. Though she’s young, there’s no doubt that she’ll produce only the most beautiful of foals – the Adonises of the Arabian breed. I wouldn’t recommend strenuous riding or competing for her, as her legs are a bit frail and thin, but as a broodmare she’d be extremely valuable. The leg frailty is not genetic (it was caused by an accident shortly after birth), so there’s no need to worry about that being passed down to her foals.
Via Equine Now ad
Africa Baby is sure to be the next big thing to hit the track. She’s got it all – speed, competitiveness, and the will to win. All of that, and more, as she’s sure to produce a new generation of winners when she’s done racing. Coming up from the position of underdog, having no relation to any previous big-shots, she’ll wow the crowd and give the world something to talk about. Looking for the next Triple Tiara winner? Africa Baby is right here! Though her appearance may not be flashy, her spirit is, and no one who watches her speeding along in the home stretch will ever forget her.
I’m just going to mention that for fun, I ran “Africa Baby” (as well as all of her ancestors — you’ve got to check out the full ad for the detailed pedigree) through the Jockey Club registry, and these horses don’t seem to exist.
Via Equine Now ad
Spork In The Trail is a simply gorgeous Akhal-Teke stallion of magnificent proportions. He’s tall, beautiful, and well-mannered, as well as a fantastic show jumper. Since he is homozygous for the champagne gene, he produces excellently colored foals. Along with the golden sheen so typical of his majestic breed, this beauty also has blue eyes and a badger face marking. Though his temperament is absolutely wonderful, he is not a horse for beginners or more heavy-handed riders, as he is very sensitive and responds to even the lightest command, along with being very in-tune to his rider’s emotional state.
But wait — we haven’t looked at the pride and joy of this farm, the great breeding stallion at stud:
Via Equine Now ad
Zeus’ Thunder is an incredible flaxen liver chestnut brindle purebred Lusitano stallion. He has a proud and fiery temper to match his unique and unusual coloring. The brindle is duo-tone, some of the striping in a darker color and some lighter. His mane and tail are like golden wheat in the field, and as thick and wavy as a Friesian’s. He is only available for breeding to purebred Lusitano or Andalusian mares of high quality; we want all of his progeny to be as remarkable as possible for advertisement purposes.
We’ve Googled the farm. We’ve Facebooked the farm. We searched each horse specifically by name, and even looked for liver chestnut brindle Lusitano stallions (because heaven knows, that’s a rare combination). And in the end, our searches simply lead us back to this, this solitary, mysterious ad for a farm that, as far as we can tell, doesn’t actually exist.
So what is this mysterious ad? Why is it listed on a popular horse sales website? What artist created these likenesses? The longer we look, the more we realize that we’ll always have more questions, questions that will never be answered.
Hand-drawn “photographs,” over-the-top descriptions, full pedigrees involving ancestors that appear in no breed registry … Moriarty Family Farms is a land of eternal mystery.
Best of Craigslist fans, this is one for the history books. Horse Nation out.