MAY 2023 THE RIDER /29
Focus On Transitions
By Kathy Farrokhzad. This month, let’s try a Focus on Transitions Practice
Session, starting with a straight line moving to a circle and then back to a straight line. Goals: • Balance • Impulsion • Straight line to bend or circle • Corners • Accuracy of 15-m circle • Maintenance of rhythm through all changes This exercise can be done in a large or small ring. It
is drawn here using the letters of the large ring for easier reference.
cise on the opposite rein starting at B. If not, go back and do it again from E. If you have a young or untrained horse, or
a beginner rider, you can make a few changes that will help them be successful. Take the tran- sition in the corners instead of at the letters on the rails. The corners help the horse maintain balance better. You can make the circle a 20- metre circle, which will help the horse that needs more room. You can also trot the diagonal line rather than negotiate it in canter/counter-canter. Now, let’s take a detailed look at the aids.
Trot-Canter Aids 1. It All Starts with the Seat Well, we already know this. But how does
the seat exactly play into the transition? First off, your seat should be trotting when the horse is trotting. So if you are sitting the trot, your seat bones are actually moving in the rhythm of the trot.
If you are posting the trot, sit the last few
strides before the canter. Use your seat to draw up the horse’s hind legs, asking for more impul- sion.
2. Use the Inside Leg/Outside Rein The inside leg has a very important job in
this moment. Apply the whole leg (from ankle up) at the girth to ask the horse for a mild bend to prepare for the inside lead. The outside rein acts as a “neck rein” – the
one that sits onto the horse’s neck and prevents him from drifting to the outside. It helps keep the neck straight and can prevent overbending. It also can work during the half-halt aids before and after the departure.
3. Half Halt Preparation Do one or two or three half-halts before
the transition. We often tend to “throw every- thing away” (as in, lengthen the reins, take the legs off the horse, fall to the horse’s front) as we head into the gait change. Falling to the forehand and trotting faster
before the canter almost always ensures a low- quality canter gait. Use the half-halts to help shift weight to the horse’s hind end and bring the
hind legs underneath the body more.
4. Use the Outside Leg – Ask for the Lead The outside leg initiates the lead. Some
people call it a “windshield wiper” motion: swing your lower leg behind the girth to ask for the first stride. The horse’s outside hind leg should strike off into the lead as your leg reaches back. Once in canter, you can bring the outside leg back to its normal position.
5. Canter with Your Seat So far, your seat should have been trotting.
Now, it needs to initiate the transition. So you go from two seat bones moving in tandem with the horse in the trot, to a canter motion with the inside seat bone leading (to allow for the horse to take the inside lead).
6. Use the Half-Halt Again Just because the horse is now in canter
doesn’t mean that you should stop riding! Many of us tend to freeze in our aids, opting instead to just hang on to the increased movement of the canter. Half-halt – once, twice, three times maybe – in the rhythm of the canter. The sudden surge of en- ergy needs to be controlled so that it doesn’t just fall on the horse’s shoulders and forehand.
7. Canter on! Now all you have to do is commit to the
horse’s movement. Your seat should allow the movement that your horse offers, and it’s your job to not let your upper body fall forward/back- ward/sideways while your seat follows, follows and follows (unless you do another half-halt).
Canter-Trot Aids The aids for the downward transition are
similar to the upward transition aids.
1. Seat Your seat should be in canter mode at this
time. However, you can use a resisting seat aid in tandem with your half-halts to prepare for the downward transition.
2. Half-Halt This half-halt can start with the seat and
be followed up with the hands if necessary. Use your leg aids at this moment to help keep your horse’s energy flowing forward even through the downward change of gait.
3. Trot Now, your seat should be in trot. If your
horse “drops” heavily into the downward tran- sition, be sure to use your leg aids to urge him to press on in trot. Ideally, his first few trot steps should be strong and energetic. Try to be there right on his center of gravity, ready to move boldly forward into the trot. Don’t get left behind or jolted out of your saddle. You can go into a posting trot or continue sitting if you are able.
4. Hands We are usually taught to pull the horse into
the downward transition, especially as new rid- ers. Once you can reliably get the change of gait, start to work away from pulling at all for a downward transition. The half-halts should be adequate to pre-
pare your horse for the transition, and then you can use your seat again to establish the trot. See if you can maintain an even pressure with your reins. Avoid both extremes - throwing them away or pulling back. Try this exercise a few times this month.
See if you can find improvement in both your- self and your horse with repetition.
Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC licensed coach and author of the Horse Listening book collec- tion. If you like this sort of pattern work, check out my Practice Sessions Premium Membership. The Practice Sessions are a complete program beginning with exercises like the one above, de- signed to improve specific aspects of the horse and rider. All set up and ready to go, all you have to do is watch the video, print off the pat- tern PDF and head to the barn! Go to
www.horselistening.com for more information. 25% off sale in May!
Getting ready for show season? Show judging.
Start on the right rein at E, at a good, strong, march-
ing walk. Transition to trot at S. Do a “good” corner before heading to C, still in trot. Transition at C to canter. Do a 15-metre circle. Be
sure to stay off the rail through the whole circle. Use your outside aids to guide the horse on the circle. Continue to the corner, still in canter. Complete the corner and head on a diagonal line
from M to V, still in right lead canter. Continue in right lead canter from V to K. This re-
quires the horse to maintain a counter canter for a few strides just before the trot transition. Trot at K. Head into the corner at trot. Finish the second corner and transition to walk. Fin-
ish the exercise in walk to B. Now, if you like, you can continue the same exer-
• Certified EC and AQHA L1 judge. • Provincial dressage and hunter/ jumper judge • Western events, obstacle events and multiple breeds.
• Open shows and fairs
Clinics and lessons. Need a fresh perspective? Freelance coaching at Ontario farms. For competitive or just-for-fun riders.
Visit
www.lindsaygriceridingcoach.com
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