Many riders (myself included) forget to practice the free walk! The walk is a test of your horse’s relaxation and suppleness. The free walk in dressage is an important movement in Training, First, and Second level tests. It’s always a coefficient movement, meaning it counts for double points, so the walk can greatly improve your overall score. In this video, I’m sharing essential tips and exercises to help you ride a clear, confident, and forward free walk that earns you the best possible score.
The free walk in dressage is performed on a long or loose rein, and you want your horse to reach down and out toward the bit. A good free walk is relaxed, forward, and marching, with the hind feet stepping past the front footprints (overtrack). If your horse jigs or starts to trot, your score will drop significantly, so maintaining a steady rhythm is key.
How to Improve Your Free Walk
- Encourage the Stretch If your horse doesn’t naturally reach down, establish a light connection first by widening your hands slightly and suppling on the inside rein. The moment your horse seeks the contact, reward them by gradually feeding out the reins.
- Maintain a Forward, Active Stride – Use your legs, not your seat, to encourage a marching walk. Follow the movement with your seat and allow your elbows to move forward with each step to maintain a soft, following contact.
- Master the Transition from Free Walk to Medium Walk – Instead of abruptly shortening the reins, gradually shorten them while maintaining a slight inside bend and pushing your horse into the outside rein. This helps maintain relaxation and balance throughout transition exercises within the walk.
- Avoid Jigging – To prevent jigging in the transition to medium walk, keep a slight shoulder-in position and use soft, gradual aids. A steady rhythm and subtle contact adjustments will help keep your horse relaxed.
Putting Your Free Walk Into Practice
When riding your dressage test, gradually lengthen the reins for the free walk while maintaining forward energy. Allow your horse to stretch but keep a light connection to guide them. In the transition back to medium walk, take up the reins gradually while maintaining a slight bend and inside leg support to keep your horse balanced and prevent jigging.
A great free walk is an easy way to gain extra points in your test, so take the time to refine it. If you’re preparing for competition, be sure to check out my Free Competition Guide.
Happy riding!
Amelia
P.S. Need some extra grip to help maintain the correct rein length? Tackified Gloves from Correct Connect are my favorite riding glove. The material they’re made of is anti-slip and provides extra grip so that you can maintain a consistent steady contact without pulling on your horse or riding with a stiff arm. Plus, they come in lots of fun colors and are waterproof so you can ride with them in any weather! Click here to check out these awesome gloves.
Updated: May 4th, 2026
