The walk is “The mother of all gaits” used by the horse 95% of the time when traveling from pasture to pasture and “one foot at a time” when grazing (“Counted Walk”). It reveals the natural asymmetry of its posture and range of motion while providing an opportunity to correct it. It is a well-known fact to the racing professional who select
horses on conformation but also on the quality of the yearling’s walk, because it informs them on the future quality of the racing gallop. Contrary to unwarranted dressage myths, it is the easiest gait to improve and the most influential on
the horse longitudinal balance, lateral symmetry and desire to go forward (Impulsion).
For the handler and rider, it is also the easiest to work on because of its slow speed, comfort and opportunity to act upon it, one foot at a time. Using the Zentora Com’Along Halter™ develops a more diagonal rhythm of the walk, replacing the lateral tendency that is so difficult to eliminate in horses with rigid backs. It increases the range of motion in every direction, loosening up all the lower joints and decompressing the intervertebral spaces (preventing or correcting the “kissing spine” issue).
PROTOCOL TO TEACH THE BASIC COM’ALONG RESPONSE TO THE HORSE
- Place yourself squarely in front of the horse and apply a steady pressure forward (or slightly sideways) with the lead rope, while clucking to the horse and stepping backward in the same direction as you request the horse to go. It is important that the handler does not release the pressure: it is for the horse to yield and relax the lead rope by stepping forward with a quicker step at first and a longer stride eventually. The foot intended to move must not brace on the ground or hover in the air.
- In the rare occurrence the horse pulls back by inverting his neck, maintain the pressure calmy and firmly with a
Whoa! message. Gently move the head of the horse left and right to relax the neck. - Resume the lesson by pulling the lead line at a greater sideways angle and use a stick to softly touch the back or
the side of the front leg standing furthest back (choose the one most likely to move forward next so it picks up and
move forward. A few attempts to the left, the right and eventually straight ahead are enough to establish the
Com’Along reflex permanently. - If the horse inverts his neck in anyway when pulled forward, keep practicing the leading exercise on straight
and turns, halting and starting, stimulating the timely lift of the front feet, until the neck arches when moving forward.
You will observe that the quicker the front legs lift on the Com’Along pull, the quicker the hind feet step up and
forward under the belly. - Make sure to reward the horse verbally every time he yields forward. Pull him straight to your chest with his
head square and pat him generously. - For all potentially difficult situations (loading, tying, jumping), make sure that the Com’Along forward foundation has been well-established.
- If the user is interested in learning more about Work-in Hand, JP “Clover Leaf Advanced Lunging” technique or JP’s Endotapping relaxation technique to work on muscle groups with touch and tapping, please go soon to www.Zentora.net (in development) for further educational videos.