Transitions are a cornerstone of effective horse training. Riding numerous transitions during a session can greatly enhance your horse's balance, strength, attention, and responsiveness to aids.
While transitions between different paces are the most common, transitions within a pace are equally crucial. As Carl Hester famously advises, "Ride at least 100 transitions per session." This may seem daunting, but incorporating both types of transitions makes it surprisingly achievable.
Types of Transitions
Between Paces:
- Halt to walk
- Halt to trot
- Halt to canter
- Walk to halt
- Trot to halt
- Canter to halt
- Walk to trot
- Walk to canter
- Trot to walk
- Canter to walk
- Trot to canter
- Canter to trot
That's already 13 different transitions to work on!
Within Paces:
- Collected walk
- Medium walk
- Free walk
- Extended walk
- Working trot
- Collected trot
- Medium trot
- Extended trot
- Collected canter
- Working canter
- Medium canter
- Extended canter
These 12 transitions within paces add a lot of variety and depth to your training. Making small adjustments within each pace counts as a transition, contributing to the goal of 100 per session.
There are probably a few I haven’t mentioned but you get the idea.
Tailoring Transitions to Your Horse
Young horses may not be able to perform all these transitions initially. Focus on the transitions they can handle and gradually build their skills. For example, try "on and back transitions" within a pace, like moving from a working trot to a slightly slower trot, or from a working canter to a more forward canter. Even these small adjustments are beneficial.
The Benefits of Transitions
Regular transitions help your horse understand half halts better and improve reactions, especially for horses that are behind the leg. Additionally, transitions between movements—such as leg yielding into a 10m circle or combining shoulder-in, 10m circles, and half passes—are also transitions.
By viewing transitions this way, reaching 100 transitions in a session becomes an achievable and productive goal. Embrace transitions as a fundamental part of your training routine to develop a more balanced, responsive, and attentive horse.
Need Help with Your Transitions?
If you need help with your transitions, I offer video analysis & coaching. You can send me a video, and I’ll provide feedback and exercises to help you improve your transitions.