Free Walk vs. Extended Walk

[RainWeasley]

This is purely a curiosity question, I just want to make sure I have terminology/concepts straight and be corrected if I don’t.

I was reading the USEF Dressage rulebook and starting thinking about extended walk vs. free walk. I was always told for free walk to let the horse chew the reins down but still stay connected. That sounds a lot like the extended walk though. So looking into it more, I THINK that the free walk is more letting the neck drop down and stretch, still accepting contact but with the nose out and not actually on the bit. And the extended walk they have to stay on the bit while still stretching. As far as overstep it sounds the same.

Is this correct? If so, I wonder if I have always been trying more for an extended walk than a free walk without even realizing it.

[joiedevie99]

Yes. The extended walk is stretching forward/downward on contact. The free walk is “complete freedom” to lower and stretch. You can do the free walk with some contact (long rein) or no contact (loose rein).

[evilc123]

The description in this article is quite good: https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/a-guide-to-dressage-gaits-11794

One obvious difference is the level at which each movement is tested (FW: through 2nd level; EW: 3rd level through GP). However, the description of the EW still sounds like it would get you serious FW points if you were able to achieve it. Two USDF judges recently told me that level of contact (light vs none) is not important to their judging of FW, but rather how freely the horse swings through its back and tracks up/over tracks. I haven’t had any reason to even school EW yet, but in reading these descriptions, I feel like I am striving more towards the EW when I am attempting my FW.

[lorilu]

The extended paces develop out of collection. In extended walk the horse must still have his haunches under him as he lengthens his stride and body, unlike the free walk in which the horse is often on his forehand and that’s ok for fw.

[MysticOakRanch]

@lorilu

The extended paces develop out of collection. In extended walk the horse must still have his haunches under him as he lengthens his stride and body, unlike the free walk in which the horse is often on his forehand and that’s ok for fw.

I disagree. On the forehand is never “OK”, and it will shorten the horse’s stride, especially in the forelegs, which many judges do comment on and mark down.

In the extended walk, the horse covers as much ground as possible, while remaining on contact - there is much more purpose (you might call it march) in the extended walk. The horse is stretched TO CONTACT, down and out.

Free walk is allowing the horse complete freedom to stretch down and out. The stretch down is more emphasized, with an expectation of “more” down of the head and neck, although reality is, the judges are supposed accept a head position anywhere between the point of the chest and the lower leg, reality is, they expect it to be lower then point of chest. Although energy is still important, there doesnt’ have to be the degree of march/purpose we see in the extended walk - the rulebook actually calls is a pace of relaxation, although expectation is that relaxation is with energy. Overstep is still a component of the free walk, but it is a larger component in the extended walk.

[merrygoround]

The free walk comes early in the horse’s life. The rider lets the reins lengthen and encourages the horse to lower his head and stretch down, contact is not required but he still should be swinging forward reach under and with some overstride. If your horse has a big overstride to start with, it can be impressive.

As training progresses the extended walk comes into play. The rider maintains the contact with the reins, and the degree of downward stretch of the neck decreases, but the overtrack and “going somewhere” march continues.

[lorilu]

@MysticOakRanch

I disagree. On the forehand is never “OK”, and it will shorten the horse’s stride, especially in the forelegs, which many judges do comment on and mark down.

In the extended walk, the horse covers as much ground as possible, while remaining on contact - there is much more purpose (you might call it march) in the extended walk. The horse is stretched TO CONTACT, down and out.

Free walk is allowing the horse complete freedom to stretch down and out. The stretch down is more emphasized, with an expectation of “more” down of the head and neck, although reality is, the judges are supposed accept a head position anywhere between the point of the chest and the lower leg, reality is, they expect it to be lower then point of chest. Although energy is still important, there doesnt’ have to be the degree of march/purpose we see in the extended walk - the rulebook actually calls is a pace of relaxation, although expectation is that relaxation is with energy. Overstep is still a component of the free walk, but it is a larger component in the extended walk.

Of course on the forehand is never desired, but it is not penalized as it would be if EW was called for. Many horses AT THE LOWER LEVELS where free walk is required ARE on the FH. A “level balance” isn’t required until, what, First level?

[MysticOakRanch]

@lorilu

Of course on the forehand is never desired, but it is not penalized as it would be if EW was called for. Many horses AT THE LOWER LEVELS where free walk is required ARE on the FH. A “level balance” isn’t required until, what, First level?

A level balance is expected at Training and First Levels - development of an uphill balance and collection are expected at 2nd level. A downhill free walk is penalized - usually with comments such as “needs more reach in foreleg”. Comments “on forehand” or “needs balance” are used at the lower levels because a level balance is expected.

[RainWeasley]

@MysticOakRanch

A level balance is expected at Training and First Levels - development of an uphill balance and collection are expected at 2nd level. A downhill free walk is penalized - usually with comments such as “needs more reach in foreleg”. Comments “on forehand” or “needs balance” are used at the lower levels because a level balance is expected.

If a horse has good reach in the foreleg, is that another sign they aren’t likely on the forehand? Maybe a dumb question but any little thing to help me see when my guy is or isn’t is always good.

[Equibrit]

It’s “going somewhere” vs “sexy” - felt from the movement of the haunches!

[MysticOakRanch]

@RainWeasley

If a horse has good reach in the foreleg, is that another sign they aren’t likely on the forehand? Maybe a dumb question but any little thing to help me see when my guy is or isn’t is always good.

Yes, because on the forehand means they hit the ground sooner (so less time for the horse to reach in its stride). Here is a very simple analogy - if you are walking downhill (essentially the same effect as being on the forehand), you must take shorter strides, or you will fall over! If you watch a downhill horse, their foreleg hits the ground sooner because the weight of their body forces it to hit the ground sooner. If the same horse lifts its shoulders, it has more time to swing its foreleg forward in the stride.