Splitting of an idempotent morphism ($sr=e,rs=1_H$)

An idempotent morphism $e:E\to E$ splits if there are $r:E\to H$ and $s:H\to E$ with $sr=e$ and $rs=1_H$. The object $H$ is a retract of $E$. In a functor category, the splitting maps must be natural transformations; objectwise splittings without compatible functorial choices are not enough.

If $e=ir$ and $ri=1$, then $r$ is the coequalizer of $(e,1)$: an arrow $h$ with $he=h$ factors uniquely as $(hi)r$. Conversely a coequalizer $q$ makes $e$ factor as $iq=e$; epimorphic cancellation gives $qi=1$. Thus the splitting of an idempotent morphism is equivalent to this particular coequalizer, without assuming arbitrary coequalizers exist.