halting problems

[barebackqueen76]

when i go to slow down or stop my horse, if he doenst stop immediatly or w/in a few steps, he'll start leanin to the left when hes slowin. he normally does this when it takes a long time for me to slow him down or stop completly.
y does he do this n how can i fix it? is cuz his left side is weak or wat?

thanks!
~Rachel

[Loopslou]

when you are asking for the halt are you perhaps bearing down more on that side without realising?

that may cause the problem but I'm not sure without seeing you do a halt.

[kedwards]

Most horses will take contact more strongly on one rein and most humans also have one side that is stronger than the other. It could be either or some combination of these things.

Some thoughts that might help: (1) be sure that you are asking for the halt first with your seat, (2) continue using your leg into the halt so that his hind legs can step under in order to get his center of gravity balanced, and (3) if he begins to lean at all on either rein, try using a squeeze release rather than a steady resistence.

[barebackqueen76]

how do u halt w/** seat?

how do u stop w/** leg?

wats a squeeze release?

my stronger hand is my rite n i think im pretty good at havin equal pressure on both.

ok gtg
thanks soooo much!

[kedwards]

Halting with the seat involves stilling your seat. You sit upright and hold your abdomen and lower back a bit firmer, stilling your seatbones.

You don't stop actually stop the horse with your leg. However, after asking for the halt with your seat, you can later learn to get a more balanced halt by keeping a little leg on as you use the reins. If you haven't yet learned to use your seat in the halt, I wouldn't worry about using the leg right now as it may just cause more confusion for you and the horse.

By "squeeze release" I mean that, rather than giving a steady pull on the reins, you can try stilling the rein, relaxing it, stilling it, relaxing it, etc. (not big movements, just squeezes, the way you would if you were squeezing sponges).

So, to put it all together: Before you ask for the halt, sit up tall to prepare the horse. Then still your seat. Then use the rein. Keep your position and give him plenty of time to respond.

[barebackqueen76]

ok thanks kedwards!

ill try it
~Rachel