What does it mean to “go forward” when riding? This is probably the most difficult concept for any student, as demonstrated in lackluster performances due to weak impulsion as we struggle to evolve our skills and develop our horse’s throughness.
It requires a great deal of self-motivation for a horse to really be “through.” Thus, in it’s definition, throughness “means the supple, elastic, unblocked, connected state of the horse’s musculature and a willing mental state that permits an unrestricted flow of energy from back to front and front to back (circle of the aids). . . ” It is also characterized by “lively impulsion . . .” (See the 2010 USDF Directory).
What I’ve noticed as a trainer for something like 35 years, is that I keep rediscovering the importance of impulsion — the forward urge of the horse — to it’s ability to do everything!
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The two things that help the most in developing the walk are BENDING — importantly, with the inside hand clearly off the neck so it’s an opening, not a direct rein, and LAYING THE WHIP, or tapping on the inside of the horse (made easier to do wtih the opening inside rein), so the horse activiates at least that one hind leg. The other hind leg will come along for the ride, once you get the inside one.
The aids described above can be used at the free walk, medium walk, and in fact, in any gait. Forcing yourself not to use an indirect, or even a direct rein with your inside rein helps tremendously in the throughness/impulsion department, and insisting that the horse be active and quick with the hind legs through use of your whip gets the horse to perform in an “unrestricted” way.