Well, we'd be trotting the same direction ad infinitum. Cantering until both horse and rider are so out of breath that they have to stop. Posting in a repetitive motion that goes forever more... sure to develop ring sourness and boredom.
Enter transitions!
What are transitions?
change of gait
change of direction
change of pace
change of movements
Maybe that's why I'm crazy about transitions! They're all about change. They make the ride fun, challenging, and fresh. They develop both the horse and rider's balance, coordination, sense of space and communication.
Try this "simple" (but not necessarily "easy") transition exercise just to add a little pizzazz to your normal riding routine. Click the images below to enlarge.
It's all straight lines. Straight lines are actually not easy to maintain, and changing gait within a straight line is even harder. But it's a great way to check your accuracy!
In Part 1, you are riding on the rail to the right in trot. Negotiate each corner, go up the rail and transition to canter at B.
Go through the next corner, then turn down center line headed toward X (still in canter). BEFORE X, transition to walk (or trot if you are riding a young or less experienced horse). Take 3-5 walk strides, then transition back to canter, left lead. Do your best to stay straight through the canter transition and to the end of the ring!
Turn left at the rail, negotiate the corner in canter.
Trot at E.
This is the end of the pattern on this side.
Now you continue your trot around the rail until you go to B, at which point you canter, left lead. Everything will then flip around: you come off the rail at C, simple change through X, turn right at the rail and trot at E. I didn't draw out the flipped pattern to save time.
This is what I call a "running pattern." You can keep going several times through the pattern, and you will end up working on both reins (sides of the horse and rider). It's important to always mirror what you do on one side to the other side, so as to develop equal strength and suppleness on both sides.
If you like this sort of pattern work, join my Practice Sessions Premium Membership. The Practice Sessions are a complete program beginning with exercises like the one above, designed 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 pattern PDF and head to the barn!
But there's so much more! There's quality of movement exercises, theory "Mini-Classes" on specific aids and figures, a fantastic group of riders who motivate and encourage each other, and so much more!Click here to learn more.
I don't believe in putting my work behind a paywall. But there are expenses in every venture. If you really liked this article, consider tipping us! Your tip will help me keep producing more riding TIPS (pun!) with free access to everyone. With thanks for reading!
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Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book:Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
From the first book in the Horse Listening Collection: Horse Listening, The Book
"There are many reasons why we enjoy riding horses. Maybe one of the most appealing facets of riding is the sense of freedom: freedom from our own limitations, freedom from gravity, freedom to (literally) roam the Earth. Time stands still while we have the privilege of feeling movement from the back of our four-legged friend. Riding gives us the place to just be.
Of course, there are other purposes too. Some of us revel in the challenge of learning the skills required to becoming a good team member of this unlikely duo. Riding is like no other sport or recreational pursuit simply because of the equine partner that must not only carry us, but also do so effortlessly and gracefully. As we develop our specific skill sets, we also grow as human beings in character, emotional maturity and mental acuity.
But there is one other motivation that drives some of us to persevere in the never-ending learning process that is horseback riding: improving the horse. As your own skills develop, you begin to realize that not only can you meet your own needs through riding, but also that you can even become an instrument of benefit for the horse."
And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.
This book is geared toward the rider:
- the rider's motivations
- the essential skills for the rider
- some specific strategies
- solutions to common problems
- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience
Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!
Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!
This is our fourth and final week of Focus On Transitions. I hope you've been able to try some of the exercises in your daily riding, and have found them to be useful in helping to improve your horse's transitions as well as overall gaits and way of going. I'm in the process of putting together a much more complete course package for those who wanted more. Go to my Practice Sessions page for more details.
If you missed the first three exercises, click on the appropriate link below. Although the exercises have been progressively difficult, you can always mix them up and use them repeatedly over the course of several weeks. It never hurts to go back to the more simple exercises on a day that you might want to keep things easy, or skip one and go to the more challenging exercise. It all depends on you and your horse's needs.
I'd also love to hear your feedback - which ones you tried, how things went, what did they do for you and your horse. Just email me at fwdnrnd@gmail.com
I've saved the most interesting exercise for the last one! Enjoy!
Purpose:
This week, we're going to progress into more changes - including changes of bend as well as gaits. We have embedded circles at different gaits, which will require your horse to step deeper under the body and bend more than in previous exercises. We continue with straight line transitions and non-progressive as well as progressive transitions.
You can simplify the exercise by keeping to one gait for both circles. You can make the exercise more difficult by cantering the 10-metre circle and trotting the 20-metre circle.
Goals:
Accurate 20-metre circle which transitions to a 10-metre circle
Straight and balanced canter-walk and walk-canter transitions
Effective use of corners at trot
Adequate bend for 20-metre vs. 10-metre circles
Trot to halt transition on a straight line
Aids:
See the previous articles for the walk-canter and canter-walk, as well as the walk-trot and trot-walk transitions.
Trot-Halt Transition
This is a non-progressive, downward transition that requires more energy and response from the horse than you might think.
1. Trot
As this is the last "movement" of the exercise, you come to the halt from the 20-metre trot circle. Make sure you have a strong, round trot as you come out of the circle. If your horse has a tendency to slow down on a circle, you might need to energize him from the hind end before heading onto the straight line. If your horse tends to rush, use a half-halt or two to help him balance more to the hind end before the straight line.
2. Straight Line
You come out of a mild 20-metre bend to the rail. Be sure to keep your horse's shoulders from "leaking to the outside" and pointing to the rail. Keep the horse straight on the straight line. Half-halt through the last two or three strides in preparation for the halt.
3. Halt
Stop with your seat. Keep your legs on the horse's side, but not active. Keep contact with the reins, but avoid pulling back. Try to get the halt more from your seat than your hands. Ideally, your horse should stop straight (not leaning to one side) and square (front legs parallel and hind legs parallel).
Transition to canter at C, left lead. 20-metre canter circle.
Transition to trot at C. 10-metre trot circle.
Make sure you increase your horse's bend for this circle. He might want to slow down a bit - you can accept that if you feel that the initial trot was too fast, but make sure you keep his energy up and the stride length long.
Continue at trot through the corner.
Walk at S.
Walk the sharp left turn at E, straight over X, and walk the sharp right turn at B.
Canter transition at P.
20-metre canter circle, right lead, starting at A.
10-metre trot circle at A.
Come out of the trot circle and halt before the corner.
You can walk out of the exercise and start the whole thing over again by walking across the diagonal (maybe in a nice stretchy walk?) and starting again before C. Or you can continue straight along the rail, and start at C going in the opposite direction. Your walk lines will be on the opposite sides of the rails.
Using embedded circles like this helps both you and your horse develop a really good sense of the bend and engagement it takes to transition between small and large circles. Add the gait transitions, and it's not as easy as it looks!
Let me know how you do. You can post in the comments below, or email me directly.
Happy Riding!
If you like this sort of pattern work, join my Practice Sessions Premium Membership. The Practice Sessions are a complete program beginning with exercises like the one above, designed 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 pattern PDF and head to the barn!
But there's so much more! There's quality of movement exercises, theory "Mini-Classes" on specific aids and figures, a fantastic group of riders who motivate and encourage each other, and so much more! Click here to learn more.
Disclaimer: Use this as a guideline but you might need your instructor to respond to your individual needs. By using information on this site, you agree and understand that you are fully responsible for your progress, results and safety. We offer no representations, warranties or guarantees verbally or in writing regarding your improvement or your horse’s response or results of any kind. Always use the information on this site with a view toward safety for both you and your horse. Use your common sense when around horses.
Click to learn more.
Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book:Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
I hope you've enjoyed working on the previous weeks' transition exercises. If you haven't seen them yet, click on the links below for the first two weeks. You'll find detailed descriptions of the aids for each transition in the text of the the first two weeks.
Things are getting a little more complicated this week! We're going to head into a bit more challenge with non-progressive transitions (specifically walk/canter/walk) and a walk/canter straight line transition. In general, straight line transitions are more difficult than transitions on turns (the horses want to fell left or right). There is also a canter loop and 15-metre circles at each end of the ring.
If you have a young horse or beginner rider, feel free to change the gaits to the ability level that is needed. For example, trot instead of canter, come off the pattern when needed (nothing is written is stone!) or make the circles larger. Always suit the exercise to the student and horse, and set them up for success before moving on.
Here we go!
Goals:
properly placed 15-metre circles
straight and balanced canter-walk transitions
Effective corners
Transitions within a straight line
Impulsion to, through and after the transitions
Effective half-halts before and after changes (gait and bend)
Aids:
Walk-Canter-Walk
1. Walk
Start with a strong, marching walk. Keep reins short enough for the upcoming canter transition. Legs should be on and seat is walking.
2. Prepare
Half-halt two to three strides before the canter transition. This half-halt might be just a "whispering" half-halt because you are at the walk and there is little impulsion. Be sure your half-halt doesn't block the horse, but rather, softens him over the top line and prepares him for a deeper hind end stride as you head into the canter.
3. Canter Transition
Inside leg stays firm at the girth, helping the horse stay straight.
Outside leg does a "windshield wiper" movement behind the girth.
Seat canters.
Ideally, these aids happen in quick succession, almost at the same time. Be sure that your seat continues in the canter after the first canter stride. You might need to keep your outside leg back over the first few strides to secure the canter lead.
4. Walk Transition
After achieving a rhythmical, strong canter, prepare to walk with a series of half-halts.
Both legs become active - they put pressure on the girth, asking the hind end to come underneath for the transition.
Half-halt a few strides before the transition.
Seat changes to walk.
You might need a few half-halts after the walk transition as well, to establish an active rhythm.
Once again, adapt this exercise to your ring size. The letters are there for reference only.
Start at the red arrow, just before C. You are walking on the left rein.
Canter transition at C. Left 15-metre circle beginning and ending at C.
Walk transition after C, before the corner. Walk through the corner, while preparing for another canter transition.
Canter loop from H to X to K. This requires the horse to do a mild counter-canter but maintain the left lead. You might need to encourage more activity through this part in order to maintain balance and roundness (work over the topline).
Before K, prepare to walk. Walk at K, before the corner. Walk to A.
Before A, prepare to trot.
At A, do a 15-metre left circle at trot.Continue through the corner, preparing to walk.
Walk at F. Between F and P, prepare for a walk to canter transition. Shorten the walk strides and increase the energy level. You might need to work at keeping your horse straight through this short walk as well.
Left lead canter at P. Maintain the straight line to M.
Before M, prepare to walk. Walk at M.
You can start the whole thing over and do the left side a few times before you change directions to the right side.
I rode this exercise myself this week with Cyrus. The transitions do come up quickly and the relative "straightness" of the whole thing gives little room for rest. But it kept us on our toes and had Cyrus working well from the hind end when all was said and done! His gaits got freer and more balanced as we went through it several times. His rhythm slowed a bit and felt more purposeful at all the gaits. The walk breaks gave us a chance to gather ourselves for the next part of the exercise.
Most importantly, it was fun!
Have you been working on these exercises? I'd love to hear how they are working for you. Leave a comment below, or email me at fwdnrnd@gmail.com
Happy riding!
If you like this sort of pattern work, join my Practice Sessions Premium Membership. The Practice Sessions are a complete program beginning with exercises like the one above, designed 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 pattern PDF and head to the barn!
But there's so much more! There's quality of movement exercises, theory "Mini-Lessons" on specific aids and figures, a fantastic group of riders who motivate and encourage each other, and so much more! Click here to learn more.
Disclaimer: Use this as a guideline but you might need your instructor to respond to your individual needs. By using information on this site, you agree and understand that you are fully responsible for your progress, results and safety. Everything offered on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We offer no representations, warranties or guarantees verbally or in writing regarding your improvement or your horse’s response or results of any kind. Always use the information on this site with a view toward safety for both you and your horse. Use your common sense when around horses.
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I hope you've enjoyed working on the previous weeks' transition exercises. If you haven't seen them yet, click on the links below for the first two weeks. You'll find detailed descriptions of the aids for each transition in the text of the the first two weeks.
