The half-halt is a source of confusion for many a rider, and yet you can’t maintain a good connection without it.
The confusion lies in the name, as it’s not a halt at all…rather I tell my students to think of it as a ‘re-balance’.
It could be said that a half-halt is a bit like breathing. It happens often, most of the time it’s barely noticeable and, without it, the connection dies!
What does a half-halt do, and when is it used?
A half halt transforms the motion of the horse into a more uphill carriage.
In addition to using it to create a more uphill and collected frame, it should be used as preparation for a transition or movement (this could be a movement as simple as a corner or circle). It’s also important for maintaining the balance or connection, so should be used when you feel your horse is about to change the balance, frame or quicken the tempo.
How do you ride a half-halt?
Many inexperienced riders make the mistake of creating the half-halt primarily with the hand. Instead, it’s ridden by using the leg and seat into a non-giving hand. To break that down, feel that you apply your leg, slightly ‘tuck’ your seat, then hold the hand still – as opposed to following the movement – for the duration of the half-halt. When you feel a change in the horse’s balance, release the pressure and ride forward out of it.
Which side do you ride the half halt?
Generally, a half-halt is only ridden with both legs and hands when you are riding on a straight line. When the horse has bend in their body, the half-halt is only applied with the outside aids.
This is because our left aids work on the left hind leg, and our right aids work on the right hind leg. In any movement with bend, the horse will naturally take more weight on their inside hind, and so we want to balance that by putting more weight onto the outside hind by applying a half-halt to that side.
In conclusion, a half halt is essential to maintaining impulsion and the connection with leg, seat and hand. Riding an effective one can take some practice, but keep working at it and you’ll find a big improvement in your horse’s way of going.
