half halts - detailed description

[lindiak007]

ok, so i was half halting pretty long time in my way or a way my primery RI wanted me and today another RI showed me slightly more specific way how to do that (we were on a circle).

my question is;
what do you do exactly at half halts...please be very specific : seat / hands / reains / legs...

yes...it sounds like a test:p.....i want to know your answers

thank you

[Skyhuntress]

It's really going to depend on a couple of things. First of all, how responsive and receptive your horse is. My half halt will be a lot more pronounced on my 3 year old then it is on the 15 year old, who has a lot more training.

I have to think about this now :P

Ok. What I do is while I ask for more forward engagement, I bring my wrists inward and close my hands around the reins more for a stride or two (or really until I get a feeling that he's listening!). By restricting his movement with my hands, yet be encouraging more movement by asking with my leg, theoretically, they should lift up, raise their back and shoulders and making the forehand lighter. Once that happens, I release my pressure on the reins. It's kind of a give and take motion with the hands, mixed with a driving leg

I'm also learning to give a more delicate motion through my breathing and sinking deeper into the saddle. But seeing as how I'm not there entirely, and neither is my horse, I'll leave that explanation up to the real experts.

Does that kind of give you an idea?

[lindiak007]

yes,

yes...it depends on the horse.....let's talk about the speedy horses;-)
my trainer was more specific with hands / legs, she actually described different legs/hands because we were on the circle, turning:rolleyes:
like:
seat and body was okej as you have described....
turning or actually doing cicrle to the left, i supposed to have his nose inside a bit (like always, it is not only when half halting)/ pulsing on the left rein toward the hip+ right rein was "half halting as we understand normally" and my left leg had to squeeze more......

????

[Dancinglite]

The main reason many half halts don't work is brcause the rider does not put the horse in the best position to receivibg them.

[Bay Mare]

We just use the 'squeeze the butt' method. You need to work out how much 'squeeze' you need for a half halt but literally it's the same butt squeeze (feeling like you're trying to 'suck' the horse up) as for halt only not as strong.

There's a great video that I'll try and find out where the rider uses this method and you can barely see what he's doing only the fact that the horse responds.

[Peanut]

The main reason many half halts don't work is brcause the rider does not put the horse in the best position to receivibg them.

So what is the best position to put the horse in to receive them?

[cwb]

The half-halt is a call for attention. When we ask the horse for a half-halt, we ask him to generate energy ‘upwards’ - that is, elevate, become rounder, balanced, and lighten the forehand without changing the rhythm.

It’s a balancing tool. It tells the horse to prepare for the next movement. It helps him organize his footsteps so that he doesn’t stumble when you ask for the next move or transition. It allows him to bend his hocks and step underneath, therefore preparing him to strike in balance. Summarized into two points, the half halt:-

* Balances the horse, and
* Asks the horse, “Listen, something’s coming up."

You can use the half-halt before transitions from one pace to another and within the pace, before corners, before lateral movements, and before changing the bend. It can also be used after movements to re-balance the horse.

The half-halt begins in the rider’s seat, back, and legs. These run the engine (i.e. the hindquarters) allowing the horse to animate his steps. The rider’s hand receive the energy and channel it accordingly. If that sounds confusing, the points below should clarify it.

The back, seat and legs:

* Upper body erect, tall, and proud, shoulders relaxed, chest open, stomach leading.
* Elbows bent, relaxed and heavy at your sides.
* Breathe in and expand your diaphragm.
* Broaden your hips and turn your hip joints fluid with suppleness. Soften your seat.
* Think of leading with your hips by very slightly tilting your pelvis. Lighten the pubic bone but don’t raise it off the saddle. Don’t lean back, compress your stomach, or collapse your shoulders. This is your energy generator.

The hands:

* Hold the inside rein. ‘Hold’ does not mean restrain, pull or sponge. It merely implies that you should close your fingers around the rein. This supports the horse’s neck.
* Close, then open the outside rein. This is your active rein aid and should last no more than a stride or two.
* Think of asking the horse to stay in rhythm with your hands.
* Soften both reins instantly and equally after the half halt. The release should be towards the horse’s mouth.

[Dancinglite]

So what is the best position to put the horse in to receive them?


There is no "one" position, but a half halt on a horse in a straight line going too fast has less of a chance of being "heard" than one requested when the horse is in the middle of a turn or being bent.

The " best position" is one the rider makes for the horse in order for it to say " I can hear you"