Slow it down

On Tuesday, after our ride, I noticed that WallE's shoe was loose. I called the farrier and the earliest he could come is Friday (right before we leave for our CT). With the weather being cool and going off site this weekend, I wanted to ensure WallE got a little exercise in. I saddled him up on Wednesday and set my timer for 30 minutes. For 30 minutes we walked. Practicing walking on a loose rein, walking on collection, walking on a square, walking on a circle, walking on a half turn. We practiced everything I could think of at the walk. Leg yields, shoulder in, haunches in, bending to the right through the corner, bending to the left. Halting. Literally everything. Except backing...now that I am writing it down, we did not back up. We continued to work for the entire 30 minutes.  

I was very pleased with WallE and his ability to focus on me, despite the group lesson that was beginning during our ride. Grooming afterwards I noticed that even though we only walked and it was 50 degrees outside, WallE did work up a sweat. I feel that sometimes WallE and I do not focus on walking as much as we should. Often we walk for a few minutes then go straight to trotting and the canter to increase the impulsion. I felt very victorious after getting some good impulsion and movement in the walk without resorting to trotting or cantering. If you ever read Denny Emerson books or Facebook posts, he is a strong advocate for the walk and the good it can do for the horse. I think I am starting to drink the coolaid.