Arena work yesterday.  Lots of transitions.  Balthazar sensitive enough to trot from walk or halt almost with a thought (along with slight lifting of the diaphragm and a *welling up* of energy from saddle to throat - describing badly but that's kind of how it feels).  Once he's attuned his downard transitions improve although not as quick as the upward.  Couple of times had to employ touch of reins rather than just stopping riding and tightening core - again lousy description but best I can do.  He comes up beneath me so much that he tosses his head on downward transitions and would leap into canter or over jump with just a thought.  However want his responses solid before cantering as he's been a little over exuberant at times and I don't bounce anymore.  Lots of trouble getting one step of turn on the forehand.  EIther he backs or walks forward, turns on the hindquarter or if he does TOF he takes 3 or 4 steps rather than one.  It's been a blessing really as I've had to slow way down and analyze what I'm doing, whisper with my aids and be VERY precise in how I ask.  Yesterday we did get one step either direction which was good despite many false incorrect starts.  Happy with that as we can build upon it later.  Lots and lots of praise.   To get the idea had to do a one rein stop so that he was stepping away from my leg.  Not how I wanted to do it because his head was bent right around rather than just tipped over but it did convey to him that yes, it is THIS we are asking for so that's okay.    Also asked for leg yielding to and from the arena wall on the long side.  Rather inelegant but okay.  Played Carrot Treasure Hunt afterwards.