Hollowing in the downwards transition?

[wellsat]

Any tips for a horse that hollows on the downwards transition?

Lil is now working in a really nice, soft, consistent outline but she's resisting on the transition from trot to walk. She tends to throw her head up and jog the last few steps before settling down into a nice walk.

Galaxy for all helpful suggestions.

 

[Shilasdair]

More leg, soften the seat, use much less hand in the transition then give at the last moment, and think 'forwards' in the walk.
S

 

[kerilli]

as Shils says. use as little hand as possible, i'd be using my voice and bringing my shoulders up and back as the aid, and thinking "softly forwards", of flowing into the downwards transition, not of stopping the trot, if that makes sense.

 

[wellsat]

More leg, soften the seat, use much less hand in the transition then give at the last moment, and think 'forwards' in the walk.
S

See thats what I would have thought but she wasn't broken properly. She has no real concept of slowing down from seat and weight aids. The only thing I've found that works so far other than the reins is to hold my breath but thats not a sustainable option!

 

[schneeko]

As above, but also I find doing it on a circle can be easier as you can push them into your outside hand as you walk so that the walk immediately has purpose

 

[wellsat]

Kerilli - thanks, haven't tried using my shoulders yet.

Schneeko - good idea, I was asking her out large.

Will plan a session involving more legs, shoulders and circles tomorrow.

 

[kerilli]

OP, i'd try some more lungeing to get her to understand the voice aids better, then go from there. this is a good way to gradually teach them body aids.
another thing is a longish neckstrap (old stirrup leather) and give that a tug when you want to decelerate, if nothing else is working... sounds very basic but it works.

 

[Shilasdair]

See thats what I would have thought but she wasn't broken properly. She has no real concept of slowing down from seat and weight aids. The only thing I've found that works so far other than the reins is to hold my breath but thats not a sustainable option!

Hmmm
Sounds as though she's on the forehand (aren't they all?), so perhaps try to engage the hindquarters before you attempt a downward trot to walk transition.
Good exercises - riding a 'square' where you ask the inside hind to step under on the corners, 20m circle spiralling inwards to a 10m circle, then leg yield back out, acute upwards transitions (halt to trot, walk to canter if balanced enough).
Once she feels active behind, then progress to downwards transitions to walk.
Oh, and look up - the weight of the rider's head looking down can be enough to tip a horse onto the forehand.
S

 

[wellsat]

Thanks, she has no concept of vocal commands, useful when you're having a chat with a friend out on a hack but not so useful when lunging! Will take her back to basics, establish them with her there and then revisit the ridden transitions.

I'm not sure who broke her but her old owner should have asked for their money back as I'm not too impressed with the job they did.

 

[wellsat]

Thanks Shils So many useful things to try here.

Poor Lil is going to be in transition boot camp for the rest of this week! Quite determined to be getting a decent score at Prelim by the end of the season.