Square Halt?

[CharlieBrown]

How do you get it?
No matter what i try my horse always decides to leave one leg trailing or resting!!!!
How do i teach her to halt square?

[coss]

the more active the horse is before the halt the better the halt will be. i've never taught my horses to stand square, dawn doesn't (she has a lot of history before i got her and i'm not sure whether she was taught to stand with one leg back - looking at shown arabs photos thats what they all have), harry will only stand square if he is working actively with an engaged backend, its how i know he's working well.

[vimto92]

Its very hard!!!

The advice I've been given through my lessons on this have to get an active walk and ask as you would, sit tall and if you get it, great, praise. If you don't circle round and try again, if they were trailing a leg particularly on one side ride more leg into that side. :)

[Jane.A]

Takes years of training and a lot of engagement. I wouldn't worry too much unless you have lofty aspirations. As long as they are straight and relatively square in front the judge at C cannot tell if you are totally square behind. What bugs me more are horses halting straight but not quite square, then the rider messing with the halt and ending up with the quarters swinging round like a banana! Remember the scales of training are Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness, Collection. So concentrate on having your horse swinging freely forwards in a regular rhythm which they can maintain thru, turns and circles witout losing balance. Then do lots of transitions to encourage him/her to step under from behind and eventually it will come. You also need to ensure you are sitting central and square as a lot of riders are themselves crooked and cause the horse to be crooked also.

[Fanshawe]

I agree it is very difficult. Have a look at how your legs and balance are when you ask for a halt- it's quite likely that one leg is further forward/more 'on' than the other or that you sit slightly out when you ask for it- that's why few riders get square halts- cause most riders are wonky! :)

[veradonja!]

You don't say how old your horse is but especially if it is young don't mess about trying to make the halt square after it has stopped. Just keep working on balance and keep the movement before very active. If you horse is working up to the bridle it will come over time but even a good'un leaves a leg behind now and again

[Morganna]

I spend entire lessons trying to get a square halt. He did it today really nicely and someone walking past even commented "hey, nice square halt". Unfortunately he was being lunged and not ridden:rolleyes:

[jane & william]

Well if I think about my halt we dont halt square, if we are swinging along nicely and I dont try to hard we get it.

At the moment its not happening as Ive been working on it ready for my halt 4 seconds, then rein back, so the halts gone to pot !


Jane & William