downshift on slippery terrain, abs kicks in

I've noticed lately when I downshift (manual trans) on snow and the tires don't grab right away, abs kicks in without my foot on the brake whatsoever.

if this is how it's supposed to work, that's pretty cool! but I don't know that it is.
If not, has anyone experienced this issue?

 

Rab , dumb question , but are you sure ABS is kicking in and not the tire skipping across the surface from it being limited by the downshift ?

 

yup, I'm sure, I can hear the abs motor working, and I can feel it in the brake pedal when I put my foot on it.

 

Hmm , interesting

 

it's not a big deal really, and it's kinda cool, but I would like to know more about it is all.

 

Understood , I really am not a fan of ABS in snow conditions having learned how to drive in snow before ABS was around , it always catches me off gaurd when it engages , and actually makes me feel less in control .