Lena Wedenmark introduces the concept behind her three-video series and stresses understanding the horse's biomechanics of the walk, trot and canter. Only when the rider has full knowledge of that, can she learn when to effectively affect the horse's stride.

Lena Wedenmark covers the biomechanics of the walk, an extremely important gait. It consists of four-beats with each leg moving independently, and there is no moment of suspension. She discusses some of the issues she sees in the walk and gives tips on how to improve the gait.

Laura demonstrates and explains what it feels like as she warms up her upper-level horse in the walk. The focus still needs to be on the horse engaging the back and hindquarters. She also shows examples of how the horse goes when he is not ridden as correctly. She does a good deal of lateral work...

Laura rides an Andalusian-Arabian that has shown through Grand Prix. With this mare, Laura works on a quick response in the walk lateral work to keep the horses attention. Laura once again goes into detail on the aids she uses and how the horse is responding to them. She focuses on a quick respon...

Transitions at the letters is another place where accuracy is important, and points are often lost in a dressage test. Laura explains and her rider demonstrates where and how to properly do transitions between and within the gaits at different letters throughout the arena. Straightness and balanc...

Karen explains that energy level considers factors such as tempo and length of stride. The riders work again on a circle where they take note of the energy level to begin to understand the differences and can feel when the energy is not enough, too much or just right. When it feels right, the rid...

Next Karen has the riders work on transitions. When the balance and energy feel good in one gait, they move into another gait and then establish a good balance and tempo there. The goal is to achieve that positive energy and tempo as soon as possible after moving to the next gait. Again, praising...

Mimi introduces us to this promising 5-year-old Hanoverian-Arabian cross and explains where he is in his training while warming up at the walk.

Question 1: What is the most difficult movement to ride or to teach? Question 2: When do you start sitting the trot on young horses?

Question: Do you have exercises to deal with tension in the collected walk?

Scott Hassler begins this session with exercises at the walk to address the suppleness issues with this horse.