lengthening stride

Question
Welcome back from vacation Ms. LaChapelle!  We both hope that you had a peaceful, fun-filled, and pleasurable time!

I don't know if you remember us (Sarah the human, and Dani the Arab), but we have asked two or three questions and have received great answers that have helped us overcome issues in our training process, both from the human viewpoint and the horses'!

To catch you up on what we have been up to,Dani and I have now been on 6 trail rides (2 and 3 hours long); going through rivers, around tractors plowing, round bales of hay, over rock beds, through feet sucking muck, down the road with cars, over fallen logs, around fallen logs, ditches.....well you name it and we have come across it.  Dani is doing very well, I could not be a prouder human partner!  If he does shy from something, I'll get off of him and walk him through, over, around the spooky thing until he is comfortable, then I climb back on and he will walk through, over, or around the spooky thing.

So, now that we have the basics...the very basics under our belt of being under saddle.... it is time to "fine tune".  

We are needing advice on how I can help Dani to lengthen his stride.  When I observe him out in the field his natural walk seems much strecthier, faster, less choppy looking then what I feel when I'm riding him.  I believe he is pulling himself with his front end instead of pushing with the back while under saddle.  When he is in the pasture I can see more "push" from the back and less "pull" from the front.  I hope that I explained that right.

Also, Dani has a wonderful extended or floating trot.  Once Dani and I have more reach at the walk how can I get him to extend or float at the trot?  I figured on a long flat trail ride that trot would be a dream to ride for me, and easy pace for him.

Thank you again for your sage wisdom!

Sarah and Dani (the barn favorite for his baby face and sweetness)

Answer
Hi Dani!  Hi Sarah!

So nice to hear from you!  I just spent 4 wonderful days at Ricky Quinn's clinic here in my town.  Great group of people and again a stellar learning experience.  I'm pooped!  I'll have pictures posted my website as soon as they come back from the photographer.

Sarah, I think you are wonderful!  You really look and observe your horses in a real effort to  understand and make changes.  This is something very special.  NEVER lose this skill.  

A lengthened stride comes from relaxation and very free feet.  When walking on the trail and you want a longer stride, ride from as long a rein as you have bring up the life in your body and really get a swing going.  If Dani breaks into a trot, bring him back to the walk by sitting down on your saddle, shortening your reins, and asking for the walk.  Be smooth here, really practice on getting long and short on your reins.  Now, ask for the walk again, on a long rein.  Get a good picture in your mind of what you want it to feel like.  Get your reins to just swing when you are walking.  Get in time with the feet and add just a bit of pressure with your calf with each stride and just stretch out.  Keep up this pattern of adding energy, your calf, a long rein, shutting down the trot with smoothness, until you get the big, open, relaxed stride you are looking for.  Boy talk about avoiding lameness!  Helping your horse to move free and not move with a brace is the best thing you can do for him to keep him healthy and sound.  Lucky horse that Dani!

At the trot, it is the same thing.  Moving free and no braces.  You will then start adding more soft feel or collection only for a few strides, adding more as Dani begins to build proper strength and muscle.  When you get this really smooth and feeling right we will talk more about the lengthened trot.  I'm guessing it is what you have seen in a dressage test?  This requires a high level collection, freedom in the shoulder, suppleness in the back and loin and a ton of push off the ground!  Your lengthened trot will have elements of the same but not as exaggerated as the trot in a 3rd or 4th level test.

About him being scared of strange things, you are doing just right.  You are staying on the edge of trouble with Dani and making the right thing easy.  Perfect.

I'm so proud of you my friend!  Your horse after all is your best teacher.  Seems to me you are both on the same page and your communication is working out pretty darn good.  Keep me posted on your progress.

Smiles!  Denise

Hi Again Sarah!  I needed to refine my answer just a bit more...As you are asking Dani to walk out when you are using your calf, use your right calf just as his left, front leg is leaving the ground and use your left leg just as his right, front leg is leaving the ground.  Just use one leg at a time and follow the rhythm of his legs.  With the added push from your calf, it will help him open up!  I don't think I made that clear enough in my answer.  How is it going?  Let me know!  Thanks! Smiles! Denise