(a.k.a. You Control the Levels, Not Your Horse)

Now that you’ve wrapped your head around the Little Walk, it’s time to level up — literally. Let’s talk about the concept of “levels” within each gait, why they matter, and how you, dear rider, are 100% in charge of that dial.

Every Gait Has Levels — Use Them!

Think of every gait — walk, trot, canter — like it has a dial from one to ten:

• One is the smallest, quietest version of that gait, like a whisper.
  
• Ten is your horse’s most dramatic, show-off version, like they’re auditioning for a fantasy movie battle scene.
  

And here’s the deal: you decide what level you’re working at — not your horse.
Your horse might have opinions (they always do) and will occasionally ask, “Can I slip from this level five trot down to a comfy level three?”
That’s your cue to say, “Nope, pal — I picked level five. Stay right there.”

The Power of Tiny Tweaks

Of course, horses aren’t robots (thank goodness), so maintaining your chosen level will require a few polite nudges here and there:

• Loosen your seat to give your horse a bit more room if things feel tight or sluggish.
  
• Drop in a well-timed half halt to rebalance when they get a little ahead of themselves.
  
• Sometimes, you’ll need both. Think of it as adjusting the settings on a fancy coffee machine — a little tweak here, a little tap there, and suddenly everything’s smooth and delicious.
  

Seamless Transitions, Same Level

Here’s where it gets extra cool:
From any level, in any gait, you should be able to transition to another gait at the same level.

Example:

• From a level two walk to a level two trot — no sudden zoomies, no lazy slumps.
  
• Then maybe from that level two trot to a level two canter.
  And when you come back down? Yep — back to level two trot or level two walk. No surprises, no drama. Just smooth, clean transitions like the professional you are.
  

And within each gait? You should be able to float up and down those levels like a feather on a breeze. This is what makes your horse adjustable, balanced, and ultimately, fit for dressage.

Why This Matters

This level control isn’t just a party trick — it’s the foundation of a strong, supple, dressage-ready horse. When you can adjust and maintain energy, tempo, and rhythm at any level in any gait, you’ve unlocked the secret sauce of good riding. Your horse will move better, balance better, and perform better. And hey — you’ll look cooler doing it, too.