Oz Horses

Half Halt

13th October, 2005

The half halt is not asking the horse to reduce its movement by half, but instead it is using the aids for halt in a more subtle and controlling manner that results in increased collection and engagement of the horse. The horse should not change tempo or rhythm. The half-halt “should be more an adjustment of the horses equilibrium than a marked adjustment of speed” (Steinkraus 1991).

To clarify, the halt is a complete cessation of movement by the horse. The horse should remain in contact, and collected during this movement. The halt should be square, that is, the four hoof prints should complete the corners of a rectangle.

So how do you achieve a half-halt? “To perform the half halt the rider places more weight on his seat bones, by tightening his back muscles, pushes the horse forward with his legs, and uses a carefully measured asking rein aid…..” (German Equestrian Fedaration, 1997). Confused? Lets try to untangle the mystery of the half halt.


The half halt is the application of all the aides simultaneously and in a slight and very measured amount. Gross over use of one of the set of 3 aides will not result in a half halt. Next time you ride try this.


Raise your self up through the top of your head and pull your lower tummy muscles in and upwards, this activates the seat/weight aid. Apply pressure through your lower legs, just like you are asking the horse to go a little quicker.

Increase the contact on the outside rein, while maintaining contact with the inside rein.

These set of three aides are used in an on-off manner to achieve the desired result, which should be improved self-carriage, the rider will feel the horse become lighter on the hands. It brings the horse more on to the bit. In order to prepare the horse for any transitition use the half halt.

The ability to achieve an effective half halt is paramount in the sport of dressage, good scores at higher levels cannot be achieved with out it.

Happy Ozriding.

References:

Steinkraus, W, Reflections on Riding and jumping, 1991, Trafalgar Square Publishing.

German national Equestrian Federation, Principles of Riding, 1997, The Kenilworth Press