Advice on Spanish Steps?

Question

Hello all :)
I've recently started introducing the spanish steps to my horse, and he's learned much faster than I expected, except we have now reached a standstill.
If I am on his back and advance my leg, he lifts his nice and high, this is great, except he sort of just does it on the spot, we don't go anywhere! 
I've tried groundwork with him, if I'm beside him he will reluctantly advance or only very slowly advance, but once I'm on he's more likely to go backwards than forwards.
I tried firm contact and then completely loose reins, but it doesn't appear to make a difference, and if I use my crop even gently he just starts walking. Once he's walking if I ask for the spanish walk he just halts.  I've watched numerous tutorials but none seem to cover this issue!
I'd really appreciate any advice you have for me as it is the first time I try this with him.

Additional information (if it makes any difference)
-he's a seven year old arab gelding
-I ride in a D-ring snaffle 
-no martingale/draw reins, I tried once but it only hindered his performance
-I've done this exercise bareback and obtained precisely the same results.

Missy B · Accepted Answer

I have zero experience training the Spanish walk to a horse, but I did board at a place that specialized in Andalusians and Dancing Horses etc. So I watched a little bit of their training. So this is my thinking, but I'm not really knowlegable.

You need to get him going on the ground better than just "reluctantly". I would use a dressage whip on his back end, to give him the forward impulsion, and maybe teach him a voice command  "Step Up".

Then get on his back, and use the dressage whip and verbal command.

Advice on Spanish Steps?

1 Answer