Slowing Down

[Chris]

OK from reading many past posts by other members I thaught that I was doing something wrong. When I learned to do downward transitions my instructor told me to sit deep, use the reins with a give and take action, and using the voice aid if nessary. Well I have learned from many books I have browsed through on riding that there is a leg aid involved too, however, some books say what I have learned and never talk about a leg aid. Well anyway I tried it and it only confused my horse and my instructor. I used it lightly and my horse keep going forward however very hastly and not slowing down to the next gait, leaving my instructor to say your confusing him (meaning the horse). So basically what I'm saying is there seems to be different ways of teaching riding. Mind you I always thought the way I did downward transitions was correct because I even read books written by well known horse people who say don't squeeze with your legs. Is this just a different way of teaching?

[Heather]

The lower leg, is lightly wrapped around the horse's sides, and squeezes, but a little less than for fro forward movement. The idea, in conjunction with the seat, is that the legs still activates the horse's hindlegs, and keeps them stepping under the body, not trailing out behind. So, as you close your seat muscles, close the lower leg too. This further lightens your seat in the saddle, allowing the horse's back to round up underneath you, so that he steps forward into the transition, and does not just slow doen and 'dribble' into it. All transitions should still be ridden so that the horse moves smoothly into the pace below, as if there are no joins between the paces. Hope this helps-

Heather