Exercises the improve transitions

[mudmonkey17]

As title really. The pony I ride is working well in all paces now. Gets tense at times still but these are getting less and less and have spent ages getting him to just relax into his work. Lots of hacking and varying his workload.
In the school the canter has come on loads and the trot is getting there. Happily competing at prelim getting 60-70%
My question is how can I improve his transitions? Especially trot to canter and back? He tends to rush and hollow. The upwards ones are improving slightly but as looking to do some novice tests over the winter i would like them better x

 

[sportsmansB]

Introducing some walk to canter and canter to walk can really help - doesn't have to be direct, but they tend to push off into a better balanced canter. Thinking canter-walk on the downward means you balance the canter right up and even if you trot rather than walk it tends to be a better trot.
Also work on the lunge to make him voice-activated means you don't have to push so much with the leg (which can start the rushing) and be more defined with the canter aid and then gradually reduce the voice but keep the correct aid for canter.

 

[Horsemad12]

Try and get him soft and into the hand before you ask for the transition. If he tries to thrown his head, don't do the transition, soften and ask again.

Also try some leg yield on a circle for a couple of strides before asking for the transition.