Hollow in downwards transitions-ways to improve?

[paintsplat05]

I've been riding a friend's Arab mare over the past month or so and she's been going really nicely so we're entering a walk and trot test in a fortnight. Because she competes in endurance the only real purpose of schooling her regularly is to increase her stride and balance, which are both very beneficial when she's out competing. She goes really nicely but gets very hollow in the trot to walk transition and i'm not entirely sure how to keep her soft and on the bit during the transition. I ride her primarily from my seat and apart from a couple of half halts try not to use my reins as could this be causing her to hollow?

 

[beaconhorse]

I would try to just ask for a little flexion at the same time as making sure I was riding her FORWARD into the walk.

just a thought but is her back ok?? maybe you are using to much seat??

 

[paintsplat05]

her back's fine, believe me she lets you know if her back isn't ok! I try and ride as lightly as possible as i'm bigger than her owner but i'll try your suggestion thanks!

 

[ester]

I think (trying to remember!) that with my mums arab x tb we used to half halt plan for transition to walk if head started to hollow pushed her straight on again in trot and did not allow her to walk. (can take a while) A lot of stopping her hollowing was also down to her being straight and I think we had to be very insistant but still with hands.

She is much better now which is why I am struggling to remember

 

[Oldred]

Its a simple question with a long and complicated answer! Essentially you could say the upward and downward transitions are a demonstration of your whole method of riding and training. If they are not 'correct' the answer will lie with you or the horse or both!

Rider - the first element to ensure is totally correct. Are you even very slightly sitting heavier, unbalanced, behind the movement, weight through your seatbones etc before or during the downwards transition? Yes, you must ride the transition forward but that can be quite unbalancing for the rider and it often comes down to the rider hasn't the tone and timing to stay 'on top of the wave'.

Horse - is he really forward off the leg in all his work? You need a knowledgeable person/trainer on the ground to help with this. Many transitions up and down with the horse responding instantly to a leg aid, backed up by a gentle tap with a whip if necessary just to condition the horse to react to the forward aid and stay forward. It then becomes more noticeable in the downward transition if the horse has dropped its back and flops/hollows into the downward pace.