[Outrider]

I intended to post additional information on the other thread but it went in a different direction (health issues) so instead thought maybe a thread devoted simply to impulsion and how others vary in their way of attaining it can help whoever may read this. Hopefully this thread can be used as a reference the next time (there will be a next time) someone references the topic, so please post your thoughts here.

First I disagree that impulsion is the result of just driving the horse forward as is posted so many times. That alone will not create relaxation, straightness, and balance which is a must have before the energy produced by a more forward swinging hind leg will generate. Only a relaxed body, neck, back and jaw can cycle the energy (even if it is in a small degree) throughout the entire horse. Any tension or stress will block that energy. This is why I will take a relaxed horse showing less energy and through a series of exercises utilizing what is there at the moment and expand it slowly. It is much like blowing up a balloon slowly but it is for sure that with each breath that balloon gets bigger. A horse with nervous energy or tension will be as a balloon with holes that will burst when air is blown into it.

Straightness is required simply because driving a horse forward without straightness causes imbalance of energy produced from each leg and like a broken spring the energy will be lopsided. A crooked horse cannot ever have true impulsion, as impulsion is impossible without equal push and freedom from each hind leg that is working in unison.

Without equal push from each leg balance is unattainable. Each joint must be flexed and willing to be directed by the rider in any manner the rider chooses and once again simply driving forward does not imply balance. The rider needs to gain control over the hind end by a series of exercises that will lighten the horse to the riders aids and as that lightness increases the forward drive increases to match. The rider should be testing the horse over and over with requests to bend and change gait along with multiple changes of direction.

Now all of the above is simply how I attain impulsion and my preference is less on the German system and more on the French system however I have taken a little of each to merge into what I have found successful.

[sanity]

Not quiet to the point, but when I think of impulsion (as it seems to arbitary), the image of a loose horse in a paddock doing an impressive, slow passage of his own free will with all that lovely flexion in the joints and he looks like he feels light in his heart (for lack of a better way to put it)

Attaining the same thing under saddle is an art. Driving isn't simply the answer, you can drive forward till the end of time and all you might achieve is a horse 'munching' forward. It is in the energy, controlled, positive, energy. Almost a little bit of excitment about his job (the good kind, not the psycho kind!)

And my brain just froze on me, all those lovely little thoughts and ideas streaming in any direction except the one I want.

[pippy]

I agree with you - but I believe the horse must be moving foward before impulsion can be obtained. Unless the rider can know and feel the difference between moving foward and having impulsion they will never truely understand how to gain the most out of a horse with a rider on board.

Sometimes it does take a rider to learn the feel between foward and impulsion just driving foward out in the open where the horse will naturally want to use more impulsion i.e when following another horse and is slightly left behind, being allowed to trort as fast as possible without breaking into a canter and the horse has energy in his step it is only at that point if a rider doesn't understand the difference that they can truely get a feel for what should be happening in the school.

Impulsion takes time to develop, it comes with engagement - true - or impulsion at its most can't be obtained without engagement - it all relates to one another. As you've said - I believe engagement can't occur without straigtness and balance either - as impulsion at its most simplest description is energy and it is that energy that needs to be recycyled.

The most basic way for me to describe the difference from foward and impulsion is the moving foward is a horse that is in front of the aids, a horse that is moving foward with energy is one that has impulsion - its almost indefinable i some ways yet not in others..

I think i'm babbling now :P

[Red roan rider1]

Great thread! I'll be checking back into this thread as it progresses.

[Fadjurneeka]

When I see a horse in a natural setting that is well balanced and moving forward with great energy - at liberty if you will - I call it impulsion. Another way I have described it is as a controlled and graceful rocket launching forward, if that makes sense.

[Chiko]

I'm sorry, but I'm not following. Please explain in the simplest of forms for those of us who just don't get it. My horse tends to hold her head up no matter how I try to make her relax and put it down. She wants to trot off really fast holding her head up high and it just doesn't feel right. She can't go in a straight line either. It's frustrating and I don't know how to correct it. I'm trying to get her to bend at the poll so she will round her back and relax, but she fights me. I hold the reins tighter, like in English riding, is that too hard on her mouth when I do that? Or will she bend at the poll then giving herself the relief she needs from the bit. Please help!!

[farmeress]

To me.....when the longitudinal suppleness of the horses' spine is soft enough to carry energy through the back and into the poll.....you get natural impulsion....one that can usually improve with training too.

Longitudinal suppleness is needed for balance,

Longitudinal supplenss is needed for the hind end to engage correctly

Longitudinal suppleness contols the spine adustablity (collection...extention...ect.)

Longitudinal suppleness/flexion effects lateral flexion through the body.

Longitudinal suppleness controls the softness in the poll/jaw.

So...relaxing the back while encouraging forward is how I approach it.

[Red roan rider1]

Originally Posted by Chiko

I'm sorry, but I'm not following. Please explain in the simplest of forms for those of us who just don't get it. My horse tends to hold her head up no matter how I try to make her relax and put it down. She wants to trot off really fast holding her head up high and it just doesn't feel right. She can't go in a straight line either. It's frustrating and I don't know how to correct it. I'm trying to get her to bend at the poll so she will round her back and relax, but she fights me. I hold the reins tighter, like in English riding, is that too hard on her mouth when I do that? Or will she bend at the poll then giving herself the relief she needs from the bit. Please help!!

Its about so much more than just holding the reins tighter. Its actually more about what you are doing with your seat and legs in conjunction with your hands. Its all about feel and timing. Keep an eye on this thread and you are bound to hear some good advice on this subject!

[Chiko]

I'll be checking in frequently as I'd like to know how to use my hands and legs to get the best from my horse and see that she is enjoying herself too.

[GotaDunQH]

In a nutshell, impulsion to me, is when the "engine" (hind end) is working properly to allow the rest of the "vehicle" to perform correctly.

Jennifer