The walk is a four beats gait in which a fore leg moves, then the posterior of the same side then the other fore leg and the last hind leg. It is judged without over doing by allowing the horse to move at good speed without disrupting its balance.
A leg leaves the ground when the other three are in contact; one speaks of walking pace.
Its suppleness is measured by comparing the location of the track of a hind foot compared with the front one on of the same side that it comes to put on the ground.
The walk amplitude, it is defined by the average distance in between the same two footprints! It can be measured by counting the average number of steps needed to go three or four times a distance in a straight line of at least 30m.It can also be measured physically with a ruler of carpenter.
To assess the suppleness of the walk, we will watch if the horse is «over step» or «under step», and how far. An over step horse will have a softer walk.
It will have the following score, i.e. the second check box, if it is covering the track. It will be rated in the 3rd check box if he over step of less than 10 cm for a horse having an horizontal silhouette and less than 15 cm for a horse having a square silhouette and it will be scored with a lot of suppleness if the over step is more than 10 cm for the 'horizontal' and more than 15 cm for the 'squares '.
The walk amplitude must be assessed depending on the height of the horse. The step will be said small if it is shorter than 0.9 times the height at the withers; It should be rated in the following check box if it is between 0.9 times and 1 times the height, it will be in the following check box between 1 and 1.1 times the height and will be 'a lot' of amplitude if one step is greater than 1.1 times the height.
Measurements shall be carried out with a warmed up horse and be relativized to reflect the age and physical condition of the horses at the time of the observation. A mare at the end of gestation will of course lose amplitude and elasticity. The proposed 'standards' are aimed at a young adult in good physical condition and without excess weight.
The walk symmetry is desirable and it is at this gait that can be noticed a physical discomfort or musculoskeletal malfunctions.
The suppleness of the walk, measured by the over step, is used to determine the ability of the horse to engage its hocks under its body and therefore, at work, to foster the vertical push off. The magnitude of the step is a sign of power and good operation of the levers of the shoulder and thigh. With a less functional meaning, it is also noteworthy that the walk is the first gait observed by judges for conformation. As for the head of the horse it creates a more or less favorable climate for further consideration.
The walk is a gait allowing to request "stretching" to improve the suppleness and to develop the muscles without unduly soliciting the joints and the cardiovascular system. Suppleness and amplitude are still important; like blood, it has no disadvantages to have a lot as long as it is used properly...
A "good walk" can compensate some orientation or length defects, by showing that the horse uses properly the levers of the shoulder and rump.