Abrupt Halt at the end of a test-solutions?

[equi2012]

After ending so many of our tests with a halt that nearly sends me over his head, I thought I'd try here to see if anybody has any solutions for stepping progressively into a nice square halt. He is very sensitive to any rein contact and can be abrupt to walk, it's almost a 'think it' transition. I've recently just been halting around the school at random places with different numbers of trot strides in between so he cannot anticipate-it has begun working and he produces a nice downwards transition and square halt.

However, when we finish our tests and ride our final centreline, most halts are at X or G, so we either have a stop-start moment over X, where he tries to stop and I have to use a lot of leg to get to G to halt, or we end up where we are supposed to be but plant the front legs into the floor and leg everything else come to a stop after that!

Any ways that I could stop this happening or will I always have the anticipation of a halt at the end of a test?

 

[Tnavas]

What level test are you working on? Transitions in the lower ones are progressive so you are allowed to Walk into them.

Practise doing the tests without the halt at all, ride down the centreline and skip the halt completely - just ride through and continue.

You are doing the right thing practising your halts, what you need to work on is understanding the response your horse has to your aids and then fine tuning the preparation time.

When you do your halts, think sit tall, long legs, close the leg, close the hand, or if in walk stop following the head with your hands. Maybe you have a horse that will respond better to your body weight than the reins.

Have someone watch you and determine if you are being abrupt or strong with your hands.

Balance the back end with your legs to keep the halt square.

 

[Pigeon]

Lol halt is the one thing we ever get 8s for. I think it's the relief of the test being over. Mine is also prone to backing off the reins, so in downward transitions I tend not to use them. My aid for halt is closing my knees, I know it's not entirely correct but it works for most horses if they don't reliably go off the seat yet.

This is how I ask; collect the trot up but keep it active with support from the legs (you need to keep your legs on throughout the transition to get it square) deep breath, sit tall (this balances the horse, is basically a half halt) hands slightly forward, close knees to stop when horse is balanced and uphill-ish. Imagine riding 'up' to all your transitions, even downward ones!

 

[9tails]

Work in your school down the centre line, don't let him anticipate the halt by trotting all the way down and turning back onto the track. When practicing your test, only do bits of it and put it all together on the day then add the halt.

 

[ihatework]

Practise and variety, work on stopping the anticipation.
Lots of half halts on the CL.
Regularly halt briefly and then walk on (although take care that you can still get an immobile halt when needed).

My horse is too smart for her own good at times and loves nothing better than going down the CL in extended trot and then grinding to a halt at whatever point she deems suitable. There has been many occasion where I have had little say in how our tests have ended!! So I have done much work on trying to keep her guessing!