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  Discussion on Downward transition
Author Message
Member:
Maggienm

Posted on Friday, Sep 30, 2005 - 9:01 pm:

My mare(4Yrs) is going quite nicely from trot to canter, she is not consistent with her head yet in a canter, but she is getting stronger and quicker to pick up the canter.
I just read with interest the renewed discussion on cantering.
My problem is with the downward transition, she doesn't resist slowing down, she just falls apart.
It takes several steps to get a nice working trot back.
I have been working on more trot walk transitions and asking for the trot(from canter) going into a circle;
the circle helps to slow the momentum naturally and helps get the rhythm back.
Thanks
Member:
Dres

Posted on Friday, Sep 30, 2005 - 11:10 pm:

Lori, how many months do you have on your mare, what breed is she..???? 4 yrs old is still very young, they are still growing and still figuring out where to put there hoofs/legs.. BALANCE unless you were lucky and she is so naturally (( doesn't sound like it tho )) takes strength / co ordination and TIME...

I too, am working my 4 year old filly.. she is almost 17 hands tall and very un coordinated... we have the trotting down pretty well, she is reaching for the bit, tracking up nicely..but all our down transitions are well DOWN... sometimes to the feeling of falling on her face.. ( not so) .. our canter is huge and ground covering.. I would call it a gallop... personally I am just letting her find her balance with me on top of her doing the full arena at a gallop.. down transitions are again DOWN...but we gain back the nice fancy big trot with in a few strides...

Patience is the key here.. let her grow up.. stay out of her way, * off her back as much as possible/ posting/ two point in the canter*, off her face * not a lot of pulling/jerking ..AND lots of transitions / transitions ... most of all enjoy the process...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Member:
Canderso

Posted on Saturday, Oct 1, 2005 - 11:07 am:

Hi Lori,
From a dressage perspective, the canter-trot transition is one of the most difficult to do in a fluid, balanced manner. It is so difficult that the Advanced level tests (Prix St. Georges, Intermediate and I think even Grand Prix) still have marks for the movement.

So as Anne says, be patient. Depending on what you consider to be a 'good' transition, it could take years to develop.

(FYI, I am terrible at riding them. The words I keep hearing are 'forward with balance into the downward transition'...)

Good Luck!
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Saturday, Oct 1, 2005 - 11:28 am:

Lori,
Oh how fun it is with those babies ! Mine is 6 now but she used to fall out of the canter. She literally felt like she DrOpped right out from under me and sometimes she tripped with her hindend. Does your mare run into the trot or DrOp out from under you like mine did. Either way, I would try keeping her soft and use a supportive rein. I am assuming you are using a snaffle or other mild bit and she is ok with light contact. Sometimes, the young ones need to "lean" a little on the bit during the transition, just temporarily. I dont mean to pull on her, just give her a little extra support if she wants to take it and consciously keep your leg on during the downward transition. Then use your leg and lighten her up a bit.
If she is not ready for that yet, try the downward when she is in a turn and has a nice soft bend. Then try to keep that bend all the way into the trot. That may help too. Dont drill her too much either. Sounds like she is trying hard and has a good attitude. Otherwise, if she is still not ready to that much contact I would go with what Ann said. It is not going to hurt to just let time take care of the balance that she is trying to find. You are just going to have to be the judge of when she is ready to go into a contained trot.

have fun!
Shelley
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Sunday, Oct 2, 2005 - 6:32 am:

Hey Cheryl, how is Gregory these days? Hope he's not annoying you with his downward transitions!

Best wishes

Imogen
Member:
Maggienm

Posted on Sunday, Oct 2, 2005 - 1:11 pm:

Shelley,
Babies are fun!
I guess running into the trot is as good an illustration as any. It only takes a few strides for her to get settled into a working trot again.
I use a mild snaffle and yes she is very soft.
Thanks for your confirmation, I am doing as you suggested, support on inside rein, asking on a circle.
Others have told me she great natural rhythm and balance.
Some people suggest I am taking her too slowly and she is ready for more, after all many four year olds are already competing, but oh well.
Cheryl, I didn't realize that the downward transition was considered so difficult. Thank you for letting me know.
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