Impulsion

The USDF defines impulsion as the thrust of the hind legs, releasing the energy stored by engagement. The thrust is transmitted through a back that is free from negative tension and is manifested in the horse’s elastic, whole-body movement.

Ever heard of the German word schwung? For purposes of the training scale, the word schwung can be translated as ‘impulsion.’

Once the horse’s hind legs are engaged and the joints are articulating, the power is expressed by the release of energy over the horse’s back, withers, neck, poll, mouth and back to the rider’s hands. Impulsion provokes a cycle that begins in the horse’s hindquarters, moves through the entire body, connects with the rider, and begins all over again and again.

Impulsion is only present in gaits that have suspension (trot, canter, passage), but not in walk or piaffe, which have energy but not impulsion.

💟 Do you need a fancy horse to experience impulsion? NO! Any horse that is sound enough can develop impulsion (pushing power from behind), and as a by product, will grow stronger and more able to carry a rider. Aim to develop impulsion in your training! 🤩

Exercises & movements - beginner, intermediate and advanced - that allow you to further develop impulsion:

Beginner - Focus on upward transitions and responsiveness to your leg (go-forward) aid. Your leg aids should provoke a clear and crisp response forward from your horse. When your horse becomes finely tuned to your leg, you are able to start channeling the energy from the hindquarters, through the horse’s entire body, and back through the contact to you, the rider.

Intermediate - Starting at one corner of your arena, leg yield across the long diagonal. When you reach X/centerline, canter your horse on a 10m circle to ask for more engagement, and then when you get back to centerline, finish leg yielding across your diagonal. Let’s say you start at C. Counter bend at C in preparation for leg yield. At M, leg yield right across the long diagonal. When you get to X, canter 10m left. When you return to X, finish leg yielding across the long diagonal to K. Repeat the exercise in both directions.

Advanced - Place 4 cavaletti spaced for trot on a 20m circle. Trot over the cavaletti, and immediately after, transition up to canter. Before you reach the cavaletti again, trot, and harness the horse’s natural energy as you go over the cavaletti, which will encourage them to flex more in the hindquarters and lift their legs in the trot.

Happy Riding! xo