Downward Transitions

Up goes the head!   The mouth comes open, the horse goes crooked and the judge's marks fall through the floor!

That pretty much sums up quite a lot of the downward transitions that we see at every level - from beginner to Grand Prix.   Although downward transitions are difficult, so difficult that at higher levels they are marked independently of the movement itself, here are lots of steps that can help.

  On the forehand  

The horse's weight can be carried on the two front legs (on the forehand) or on the two back legs (engaged).

 

The horse's natural way of going is to carry more weight on the two front legs, and the higher we train for dressage or reining or jumping, the more we want the horse to lower their tail to the ground, and take more weight on the back legs.

 

If horse is on the forehand it is more difficult to stop.  It's just like a truck being overloaded, it just takes longer to stop, and will always be rougher.   To get a smooth, soft transition the horse has to be carrying more weight on the back legs than the front legs.

 

And, the rider can make it better, or make it worse!     See on the forehand

 Legs on -vs- legs off?  

This is the latest controversy...do you have your legs ON or OFF for downward transitions?

Unless you are getting marked "10" for your downward transitions, be honest & admit there is room for improvement!

The argument for the people who teach "legs on" is that it drives the horse's legs under behind.   Well, as one of the top German riders said when they came to Equitana:  "why were the legs out behind the horse in the first place?"

Was it that the horse has a bad back, was it that the horse has bad hips, or even sore teeth, or was it that the rider's hands were so hard they drove the horse's legs out behind?  Or was it that the rider sits in such a poor, or stiff, position that they drag out behind?

The argument is that you "put the legs on" to engage the horse more just as you are about to halt, or about to do any downward transitions...but WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE LEGS?

What about my dear friend Susan Seipel (photo right)?  Because of her disability she cannot use her legs, but I can tell you her National Championship level horse is LOVELY and certainly NOT on the forehand!

What about one of my pupils who rides Grand Prix and is a double amputee?   Her horse isn't on the forehand!

What about my own horses?  I have a disability that prevents me from using my legs, and I don't get marked as being on the forehand.  My horses are fully engaged according to their level of training.

Imagine a surfboard in the ocean.  If you look down, the surfboard goes on the forehand.  If you look up and raise your chest your surfboard "engages".   It didn't require any leg at all!   Engagement came from the surfboard rider's upper body & head posture.

So, isn't that good news if you have been told your legs "aren't strong enough".  Well, I'm sorry, they're wrong.  My Paralympians all over the world are proving them wrong every single day. 

And smiling while they do it ☺

Legs on for down trans =
hard hands.

  So, how is it done?

As you're coming into the downward transitions, instead of taking on the reins first....you must prepare better than that to get that 10 from the judge.

So, BEFORE then down trans...in this order:

1. Look up!

2. Show the audience your Adam's apple in your throat

3. Raise your chest (see "white bow")

4. Make sure you're not "hiding" your belly button

5. Sit back a little tiny bit (but not behind the vertical)

6. Take the legs OFF for a softer transition

7. Lower your hands

8. WAIT!   Give it a bit longer than you think.  MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT KICKING!

9. Now...if that doesn't work, don't just go back to pulling the reins...Start again:  Look up, Adam's apple, white bow, sit back a bit, lower your hands, legs off, and then, finally if it doesn't work, apply the reins LAST OF ALL.

Beginner riders use the reins to stop.  Masters use their BODY to stop.  I bet if you have to use the reins you either had your legs on, you were leaning forward, or you feed your horse too much grain.

This is how the top masters in the riding world can go from extended trot to collected trot, or extended canter to collected canter, and you don't see them touch the reins at all!!!   The reins are looped.

Look what happens to the horse's jaw when you pull. 
Raise your standards and know you will NEVER get a 10 from judges if you pull on the reins!

http://www.horseyard.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111578&Itemid=146

  I don't believe you....prove it!!!

Certainly, in my field I get a lot of "disbelievers".   And, very rarely at the huge events like Equine Extravaganza and Equine Affaire do I get to meet my demonstration riders before the event.    They can be from lower level riders to Grand Prix, and I always show the crowd downward transitions.

Instead of telling the Grand Prix rider what I'm doing, I just say let's see what happens when you do this.  I don't know this horse, but we'll just try it..... "look up, Adam's apple, white bow, legs off etc...." and their transitions are IMMEDIATE and BRILLIANT.   And, it has worked 100% of the time!!!

Many times they have looked at me (not wanting to speak in front of the big crowds) in total disbelief.   I have them do it again and again, and as a dressage judge the marks are simply higher than the "legs on, drive them into it" approach where the horse gets stiff and resistant, raises the head, or tips one ear higher or opens their mouth.

Instead of worrying about who is wrong and who is right about legs on or off...just go try it for yourself, I bet you'll have kinder, softer, straighter, lighter downward transitions.  PROVE IT TO YOURSELF on the video!!   Seeing is believing.

Enjoy!

©   Colleen Kelly