Downwards Transitions - help!

[Sol]

Newest problem - and one that's really bugging me:
Downwards transitions!

Any tips?
I just can't seem to get through to him! No matter how many transitions I do, we might get the odd half decent one, and that's it :/ Never had this much of a problem with any other horse, he just doesn't seem to learn!

Usually he just leans on the bit or takes hold of the bit, and then eventually flops say into trot (canter-trot trans) and sticks his nose in the air. His canter-trot transitions are worst, trot-halt is often ok, and trot-walk/canter-walk are just.... not pretty

Help?

 

[eoe]

Try locking your elbows to your side and sitting as upright as you possibly can and try not to move your elbows, my mare does this and its the only way I can stop her, she will behave for a while and then start it again so we go back to doing the above. They soon get the message that it hurts, if it helps ride with a whip that sits in the crook of your elbows and goes behind your back, just something a military guy taught me years ago as my back is not very strong, it makes you sit up straight and stops the horse snatching the reins away from you in the downward transitions.

 

[toomanyhorses26]

I find that keeping my hands slightly wider helps my tb with his balance (not his strong point

) and to keep my leg on all the way through so you don't get a jolt in the transition and it stays nice and smooth

 

[Britestar]

Go to pilates. That will help. Think of sucking your belly button toward your spine, but with tensing your bum! Honestly, after Pilates, it makes sense. revolutionised my downwards trans.

 

[Sol]

Thanks for the tips

Will see if we can do any better tonight

 

[_Rach_]

I would try rising for longer when going done transition as this might help, and also squessing (sp) down the reins as you do it.
hope that makes sense
x

 

[BBs]

Use your stomach muscles, dont be in too much of a rush to go from canter/trot take it slowly, if it takes 8 circles before you get him to collect and come into trot then so be it.
Make sure you sit tall, hold your position, breath, half halt with your knees, sit on your bottom and do little tests to see if he will come into the trot, not fall into it.

Takes a bit of practise. My big experience horse will just fall into trot if I dont prepare it properly, my younger horse is easier and quick thinking. I have another couple of horses who remind me of yours, but with practise theyre getting there

even the most difficult ones.
Good luck

 

[camilla4]

As others have said, Sol, making sure you remain sitting tall is key. I have found that whenever riders have problems with downward transitions, they are inevitably allowing themselves to tip forwards which causes the horse to "run" onto its forehand. If anything, think of leaning slightly back as you half-halt and then ask for the transition - always making sure your back is straight and that you are looking straight ahead.

 

[Teabelly]

I am working on this at the moment, I am working on a circle and am constantly told that the downwards transistion must come from my seat not my hands.
No mean feat when he wants to hollow or take hold .

Anyway on a circle i ask for inside flexion and right bend once I have this I prepare for the ask of the transistion by a small half halt and sit up tall and breath, if he looses the bend or starts to fight me I push him on and repeat the ask once soft I prepare again.

I am lucky he is a quick learner and starts to pre empt what I'm going to be asking, but that in itself can casue him to fall in to the transistion.

I am now doing this on the straights and touch wood he is going well, but I think patience is the key and keep breathing . something I forget to do when I'm concentrating.

Good luck

 

[Sol]

heheh, I'm thinking with all this 'sitting tall' maybe I might grow a few inches?

Not exactly the tallest person ever and it's quite probable that I'm giving too much in my upper body, as I am aware that I lack strength here... Wasn't too bad a year ago when I was doing a few hours without stirrups every week!
Probably doesn't help that he rides a lot bigger than most horses I'm used to :/ He's only just coming up to 15.2hh and is really a narrow lanky thing, but I'm more used to ponies/pony types!

Think the key is not just to try - but try harder!

Will keep at it, we have to get -somewhere- eventually

Thanks for all the help

Sol

 

[camilla4]

[ QUOTE ]
heheh, I'm thinking with all this 'sitting tall' maybe I might grow a few inches?

Not exactly the tallest person ever and it's quite probable that I'm giving too much in my upper body, as I am aware that I lack strength here... Wasn't too bad a year ago when I was doing a few hours without stirrups every week!

Think the key is not just to try - but try harder!

Will keep at it, we have to get -somewhere- eventually

Sol

[/ QUOTE ]

You actually should aim to "feel" taller!!! Could you go back to doing some work without stirrups - preferably on the lunge? It sounds as though you need to do a little work on the depth and security of your seat if you are allowing your upper body to give - you really can't beat work on the lunge for tackling seat issues!! You need someone on the ground who can keep you focussed on your position whilst the horse carries out the transitions so that you can get a better idea of how it should feel. Keep working on it - it will come!