On the bit, and impulsion

Two ideas you hear in every lesson, and often mistake for “head down” and “speed”. Here are their real definitions, and two Galop 6 exercises that put them to the test.

In the exam programme

Define “on the bit” and impulsion.Specific part
Get a stretch of the neck at the rising trot on a circle.Dressage
Give the hands forward for a few strides on a circle at the canter.Dressage

Impulsion is the horse’s desire, natural or developed through work, to go forward. It is born in the hindquarters: the hind legs step under the body, then drive it forward, and the supple back carries that energy through to the front. A horse with impulsion answers a light leg aid at once and keeps its energy through transitions, curves and lengthenings.

Remember

Impulsion is not speed. A horse that scurries along in short, flat strides lacks impulsion; an active horse can go slowly, with energetic strides and an even cadence.

A horse is on the bit when, carried forward by impulsion, it takes up the contact of its own accord, lightly and constantly. It accepts the bit without resistance, its jaw relaxed; the poll stays the highest point and the front of the face is slightly in front of the vertical; its outline is steady. The contact comes from back to front: the rider adjusts the reins, the horse takes them up. The hand never pulls the head in.

The hind legs stepping under, kept going by the legs
The back, supple and toned, passing the energy on
The contact, which the horse takes up itself on a still hand
The poll the highest point, the face just in front of the vertical

On the bit

Poll highest, face in front of the vertical.

Behind the bit

Neck shortened, face behind the vertical.

Fig. 6.8On the bit: from the hind legs to the contact

Engagement of the hind legs, kept up by the rider’s legs.
The back, supple and toned, carrying the energy.
The contact, which the horse takes up of its own accord on a still, soft hand.

Propulsion: The thrust of the hind legs that drives the body forward; it depends on their having stepped under first.
Acceptance of the bit: The relaxing of the jaw — the French mise en main: the horse yields and mouths its bit. It goes with being on the bit but does not replace it.
Poll flexion: The horse bends at the poll, downwards (direct flexion) or to the side (lateral flexion), as you achieved from the ground in Galop 4.
Flexion and bend: A reminder from Galop 4: flexion is the lateral bend of the poll and neck; bend curves the whole body along the curve, from poll to tail.

Two exercises that test it

At rising trot, on a circle
Stretching the neck
Let the reins slide gradually through your fingers: the horse stretches its neck forward and down while keeping the contact, without speeding up or changing rhythm. Then take the reins back gradually, without snatching, until you are back to the outline you started with.
At canter, on a circle
Giving and retaking the reins
Push both hands clearly forward along the neck for two or three strides: the reins go slack and the contact is broken. The horse must keep its outline, cadence and balance, then accept the contact again when you take the reins back.

The two exercises look alike but prove different things. Stretching the neck shows that the horse seeks the hand when it is offered; giving the reins shows that it carries itself, without leaning on the hand. A horse that throws its head up or rushes off when you give was not really on the bit.

Common mistake

Going for the head before the impulsion. A horse whose head is held in place by the hands, with no leg, comes behind the bit, shortens its neck and locks its back: the opposite of what the judge wants to see.

A word from the instructor

If your horse is on the bit only while you hang on to the reins, it isn’t on the bit. You’re on its mouth.

Ekidemy

The Galops^®, from the first step to Galop 7