Monday, September 14, 2020

Playing with Different Half-Halts on a Square


I’ve been playing around with the different versions of the Centered Riding half-halts by riding a working walk 20 meter square and then adding in a half-halt before and after each corner.  Starting with the mildest version of a re-balancing, just exhaling and centering, for a couple of corners, then moving on to the “Center and Grow” half-halt, and then adding in either leg or shoulders down or both sequentially.  I have to tell you this has been a game changer.  How have I been riding this long and not really known the aids for a half-halt?

I don’t know if it’s because Jet is already relaxed, balanced, and with matching energy as per Dressage Naturally and that is why the HH’s work so well in all the different versions, but it is just amazing.  Or is it because I am finally sitting up that helps?  I rode him bareback yesterday inside and everything was so easy to sit and it was so instant to get an active stretch.  Today, in the Dressage court, I fooled around with the half-halts on the square after some working gaits to warm up, and then did 2-1 just to see where we are.  The trot work was excellent and the canter work was just ok, but I could feel myself struggling with the timing of the half-halts in the canter.  Jet was very good and quiet, but not as balanced as he could be.  Something to work on.  Maybe with more bareback walk canter walk transitions?

Anyway, I still haven’t really reconciled the Centered Riding “Center and Grow” half-halt with the Dressage Naturally “talk about the effect you want to have not the aids to use” system.  I feel like this sequence of aids makes everything so much easier.  The halts are better.  The transitions are crisper.  The working gaits are more through.  Collection is a thing now.  I did a half pass at the walk to finish the ride today and added mild half-halts during the half pass.  It was so good and felt so upright and I could distinctly feel the inside hind coming more under after every half-halt.  Best half pass ever, like magic.  Who knew?

What have you been taught about the half-halt and how has your understanding changed over time?  Really curious about other riders’ experiences.

6 comments:

  1. My lightbulb was the coach who told me to "think halt but don't" That cue is just enough for me to tighten my core that bit I need to while still keeping leg rather than my previous default of going to my hands

    ReplyDelete
  2. I tend to use my voice as with driving we still use half halts but can't expect our seat, legs or weight to do much. A friend of mine also told me that she gives her horse cues as to what comes next or what kind of turns she's looking for- one cue for a bigger sweeping turn, vs another cue for tighter, smaller turns, cues to 'prepare to stop' before the 'whoa' comes... Clucks, kisses, chirps, whups and sounds for different things.

    This has been a game changer for my ponies. They know what's coming and what will be asked of them next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That totally makes sense with the vocal cues for driving. I use a version of "get ready" by inhaling and stretching tall before any transition. Interesting how many different types of cues can be used...

      Delete
  3. One of the dressage videos online explained a half halt as similar to what T desribed above. It is a version of the Halt only you're not asking the horse for a complete stop. In essence you're checking their speed or forward movement and asking them to dial it back a notch. There are a plethora of ways to ask for this- the key is using what you're comfortable with and being consistent so your horse understands your cues.

    What's funny is that yesterday I was having this same discussion with a good friend of mine about stops. Good post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! So many different variations and descriptions on the HH. Maybe it's just a matter of finding the one that works for you personally.

      Delete