Great article about the need for impulsion and how to break it down into those important and incremental two steps. What the article implies (and which I think is equally important) is that after asking for that bust of energy, you need to leave your horse alone and not nag him. I think a lot of horses become dead to the leg because their riders are constantly bumping and nudging them along. Better to ask for the surge and then go with it. You can always ask for more later.
EQUINE Ink
My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
I think now it’s called “coming throught”, but I always remember it as “impulsion”. Now if we could get folks to focus on the natural movement of the horse and less on the angle of the poll….wouldn’t everyone–especially the horses–be happier? Tip for economizing: Standlee Hay mini haycubes make great treats! And you don’t have to worry about funky ingredients like food coloring.
I agree on both counts! I’ve used alfalfa cubes (broken into small pieces) for years as treats. That’s how I taught Freedom to stand still at checks.