Transition Tips

[maxapple]

I have a very forward joing pony (ex BSJA) who I'm now mainly doing dressage with. We do OK at a very low level (W&T / Prelim) but need help on transitions.

Any tips for downward transitions? From trot to walk I really have to use a lot of rein to get him to slow down into walk. (He just sets his neck and becomes a bit tough to stop!) I try to ride more with my seat which works a bit but I'm not sure if I'm doing this as effectively as I can. My comments often say 'resistance' or 'over exaggerated trans' which is where instead of a smooth transition he's almost stoppng before going into a nice walk. Canter to trot is also not great - he tends to run into trot.

I've got a lesson at the weekend - so just wanted some tips on things I can work on before then.

 

[baymareb]

I'm not doing dressage but I am bringing along a young horse who has to learn all this so this is what I'm doing.

I do a lot of up/down transitions with short intervals. In other words, trot the length of the arena then go down to a walk. Walk several paces then up to a trot. Repeat. Do that a number of times in one session, both ways. It really helps to get the horse's attention and to bring them back on their hindquarters, and it helps them focus on transitions.

For every down transition, I use a light half-halt just before I transition. Then I sit down, drop my center, let out a deep breath and ask with my seat and legs and light hands. Think of a transition as a movement in and of itself and really focus on it. The deep breath is important - it really does make a difference.

Don't know if any of that makes sense or if it's any help but it works for me.