I’m starting to really get into looking at conformation and movement, and I am having trouble seeing a good walk. I know that you can improve trot and somewhat the canter (depending on conformation, etc.) but the walk is what you buy.
Could the collective wisdom of COTH give a girl a hand and show her some good walks? Specifically for an eventer, but any good walk works!
Thanks guys 
I dont really have anything to show you… However, if im looking at a walk, I like to see the horse natural (IE not in a frame or any contact, on the buckle or simply just being hand led), and I watch for nice, free movement with a good over-track of the hoof. At the trot I like to see the horse at minimum tracking up, you can improve the trot. I also like to see a more natural and easy uphill canter.
I hate horses built downhill, I dont care what anyone says lol!
Ride it. answer: when you feel seasick 
when your hips are giving your whole body a workout.
Watch for the V - looking for a generous overstep
[QUOTE=babecakes;7813034]
Ride it. answer: when you feel seasick when your hips are giving your whole body a workout.[/QUOTE]
I love that kind of walk. Makes my lower back feel better. (Arthritis in lower spine. Even though I haven’t been riding regularly in many years, my body seems to still have the muscle memory that says “oh, now we relax to follow the movement!” So all the tense muscles around my spine loosen up and then my spine feels a billion times better. If only I could figure out how to convince my health insurance that a horse is a valid treatment protocol…)
this is my 6yo, who while he will not be a world beater because he is small and not that into the jumping thing, but who has a lovely walk. He is an 8-9 gaits horse through first level, starting for second next year. His free walk is a consistent 9 score. He can be tense, so this is probably not even his best shown here, but it’s what I have (he’s about 3 months under saddle here.)
He absolutely has the kind of walk that makes you seasick. A lot of movement through the back in all gaits. It’s been a reeducation learning to ride him.
Ok I am a little hesitant to post my sample, because most of the video is not related to the topic 
but around 1.30 at the video there is one sequence of a walk which I like…loose, long strides…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq0GAz-4HJo
To improve the walk use long trail rides over varied terain, preferably at a nice forward pace.
I think the best way to judge a walk is to view the horse wandering around on his own.
Young horses or remedial horses are often tense or nervous and you can’t see their true walk.
The quality of the walk gait is always judged at the free walk. The horse should use its entire body, swinging through its back. Look for a clear, even 4 beats with a large overstep… the lateral pairs of legs should look like they are making a fully-closed “V” and that the front leg only just barely gets out of the way of the hind leg in time. Viewed from behind, the hips should make you think “Marilyn Monroe” 
(seriously, this is what they tell you in the “L” program!). The back should be swinging and engaged, and the head and neck should show a significant oscillation.
Super big walks are called “dangerous walks” in Dressageland…if a walk is toooo big, then you can kiss a pure collected walk goodbye. They often get lateral when collected.
Pay particular attention the the PURITY of the gait, not just the size. The judge will, for sure
Learn to look for the “V”. And not just on a long rein. There are horses with super free walks who get tense/loose the purity and get pacey when the reins are shortened.
I really like the suggestions of watching the horses walking loosely in the paddock or on a loose rein/in a free walk. The over-exaggerated walk is definitely to be avoided, as it’s always important to rein them in or let 'em loose!
When I see them walk, I don’t know why, but it almost looks like a stalking cat…
What do you think of these two?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veky5NPNBIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDXHZ_S0S_U&feature=youtu.be
For me, I like the first one better, it just seems more… sweeping?
the first one
While I will not hold my horse up as the epitome of a “10” walker, he has always scored very well on his walk (when he’s not busy being tense). The first 20 seconds or so of this video shows relaxed walk on a loose rein:
Walk
When left to his own devices, he can get to power-walking and while he has a huge overstep and massive swing, he’s just strung out and on the forehand. Gotta know how to package all that swinging.
nah, you buy the brain and how the horse works within it’s own conformation.
The walk, for the dressage test, is just another skill you and your horse both put together at home.
A horse with a million dollar walk who turns to shit for brains at a show and jigs through the whole walk will make you think well damn…I screwed myself buying a walk that never walks. lol.
Take any old walk and put rhythm and march into it and you have a show getter. Even better, make sure you can score an 8-10 on the free walk for a coefficient of 2 and you’re golden.
To answer your exact question, the horse should step past the front foot print with it’s hind foot. It’s back should look swingy instead of tense.
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