This week is all about the walk! You can do so much with your horse at the walk, and especially if you have a senior horse in your life, you need to do a lot of walking to keep them fit and happy. Older horses are a wonderful gift—and the good news is, there’s still so much you can do to keep your older horse feeling their best. In this video, I’m working with Natasha, my 20-year-old Grand Prix mare, and sharing three gentle exercises I use to keep her active, happy, and supple.
While Natasha is semi-retired, she still loves to come out and work. Older horses are often incredibly generous, confident, and rewarding to ride, especially for riders who are just starting out or building confidence. But their needs are different, and it’s important to tailor your rides with care.
Let’s look at three walk-based exercises that can benefit any horse while helping you check in with your own position and connection.
1. Walk Warm-Up with Body Awareness
Start with 5–10 minutes of marching walk on a loose rein. Focus on encouraging a forward, active strides—think “runway model” energy, not sluggish steps. Use this time to check in with your rider position, posture, and alignment:
- Drop your stirrups and let your legs hang long to find a deeper seat.
- Feel that your seat is moving with your horse’s walk.
- Try placing both reins in one hand and lifting the opposite arm to stretch and create awareness through your torso and seat bones.
These small checks help you stay flexible and in sync with your horse’s movement.
2. Gentle Serpentines for Suppleness
Once you’ve established a good walk, take up a light contact and ride large, sweeping serpentines. These help encourage gentle bending and keep your older horse supple and soft:
- Keep the loops large and relaxed—no tight turns.
- Use your inside leg to create bend in the body.
- Pay attention to your horse’s energy—if the walk slows when you pick up contact, that’s a sign they’re stiff and need more suppleness.
Don’t rush this. Repeat the pattern patiently and allow time for your horse to release tension and warm up.
3. Walk–Halt–Rein Back Transitions
This is a fantastic low-impact way to activate your horse’s top line and encourage softness through the back:
- From a forward walk, use your core (not just your hands) to ride into the halt.
- Ask your horse to step back a few steps, using gentle seat and leg cues.
- Keep your aids light and clear, focusing on softness and balance.
This transition work improves responsiveness and helps maintain muscle tone without the concussion of trotting or cantering.
Working with older horses is a gift. The walk is a powerful tool—not just for your horse’s body but also for your own awareness and refinement as a rider. Even a session entirely at the walk can be productive and meaningful for both of you. Give your older horse a big hug today—they deserve it.
Happy Riding!
Amelia
P.S. Have you heard about my Free Contact and Connection Webinar coming up on Sept. 7th, 2025? In the webinar, I will be sharing my four secrets to roundness and how to improve your contact and connection so that you can have true harmony with your horse. Riding your horse round will keep them healthier and happier, no matter their age. Seats are limited, so make sure you save your seat for this awesome Free event.
