How do I maintain impulsion in downward transitions?

Both rider and horse must think forward when making a downward transition. Keeping impulsion is a vital part of schooling a young horse as it encourages him to bring his hind legs under himself and lift his shoulders. This will help with balance and is necessary when teaching and training a collection. (Collection occurs when a horse carries more weight on his hind legs than his front legs. The horse draws its body together so that it becomes like a giant spring whose stored energy can be quickly reclaimed.)

If you have a horse who tends to slow down before the transition - or even slams on the brakes - try these exercises...

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Keeping impulsion is a vital part of schooling a young horse.

Tackling the issue

1. If your horse anticipates a downward transition as soon as you go from rising trot to sitting, do the preparation but don't ask for the transition. Instead, activate him and send him forward. Make sure he maintains the impulsion, then ask for walk. You can do the same exercise from canter to trot and canter to walk. This teaches the horse to listen to what you are actually asking for, rather than making the decision for himself.
2. When teaching a young horse the trot to walk transition, let him jog for a few steps in the transition. This teaches him to bring his hindquarters underneath him and produce a more forward transition. Gradually reduce the number of jog steps until you don't need them any more and the transitions are balanced and forward.
3. Ride canter to trot transitions in a circle. While asking for the transition, use your inside leg to push him forward and a little sideways. This makes sure you keep your leg on in the transition, so you still ride forwards even though you are going down a gear. 

Consider this...

• When training, abide by the ethos that every transition must be a good one.
• Ensure you are using your seat to push forward in the transitions rather than pulling back on the reins. 
• Ride with enough leg to keep the forward momentum going, even into the halt. 
• A dropping poll is a sign that your horse's hind leg is not coming under enough.