Impulsion?

[spud]

What does impulsion mean?

[bhpride]

um energy, power when the horse's working .. someone must know more than me?

[nixnpri]

Controlled energetic movement and the willingness and ability to move forward, not speed as some dressage bods seem to think! A horse can be very collected and still have good impulsion. It is essential, for instance, for a transition between passage and extended trot.

[Soud]

Dont think my horse has got much then! Hes very lazy, in school and on hacks- hes not amazingly fit, but now hes on hard feed was expecting bit more sparkle! Hes on top spec feed balancer and dengie alfa a, carrots and corn oil. What can I add to get him more willing to move and energy? Hes a IDXTB, too laid back!

[varkie]

Yup, as nixnpri says, controlled energy coming from the hindquarters (as all energy should). Not to be confused with speed at all! It's kind of a feeling of going somewhere but without rushing!

[honey]

Impulsion is where the horses is moving from behind rather than pulling, so energy is directed through the back. Though impulsion is needed for even the simplisit of movements such as circles ect. Doing small circles is very good for getting the horse to engage from the hind quaters and underneath it self or in otherwards impulsion. I have a very lazy and laid back cob x cleveland bay. And its been no easy task we find that giving him the baileys allrounder(now called competition mix) does a fantastic job as just a sprinkle of oats does a far better job for him than a bucket ful.

[pip]

You could be describing my horse. I have been giving him oats for the past 2 months but apart from making him shy at things it doesn't seem to have reved him up much. He "is not in front of the leg" as my instructor says. He doesn't like to walk out unless reminded and will quickly revert to a slow amble if allowed instead of a brisk walk. So, it is leg aid - if no response a quick smack with the stick. Also check that you are not "blocking him" by being soft in the back, neck, thighs, knees (I have to keep a running total in my mind becuase I can very easily become stiff in some areas). Are you moving with him, hips going side to side with his hips at the walk?

I also have to keep him together at the canter as he can fall out of canter - but then we are in the dangerous and tricky waters of the "correct contact" and how much "feel on the reins." It is just more schooling I think, and concentrating on what aids you are giving him and how he responds. My instruct says my horse is very good at looking pretty but not really working!