Completely brilliant, we do this a lot. Really helps to get them used to holding a position and powering through, instead of just assuming the position and then rushing through it. Once it goes smoothly with w/t transitions, you will find it really really helps for transitions within the gait during half-passes as well.
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This is deceptively simple, and not nearly as fun/creative as the other suggestions, but what has helped my horse is just transitions within gait on a very straight line. Sometimes on the rail, sometimes quarter line to avoid crutch of the wall. I was doing “too much” lateral work, and my horse started anticipating. Forcing him to be straight, half halt from my seat, and hold him to his most collected trot for 5-10 steps, then pushing forward to big trot (holding with my core) maintaining the sit and balance. No crookedness, no hanging, no curling. I found the key to his big swinging trot is all about balance, and he can’t be balanced if he isn’t straight. I like to ride 4m off the rail around the whole arena, square turns at the corners, feeling even in both reins and legs.
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