half halt from a classical perspective

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Rexie

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Hello,

I'm new to classical dressage and I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips on how a half halt should be done. The way I have done it previously is to squeeze with both lower legs and bear down while closing my hand around the outside rein and close /release pattern with inside rein. In classical riding is the role of the rein aids is different?
 
I think this will be a tricky topic as there is more than one style of 'classical'.
For example I went to a talk on the Phillippe Karl style and they don't use half halts at all (in the usual sense) as they believe that the horse is forced to disobey either the hand or the leg, they can't stop AND go at the same time.
 
Thanks critter! Maybe that's why I'm having difficulty finding out about it :). I did wonder...so do you know if there is another technique PK uses to re balance horse before a transition?
 
Found this...PK approach


First comes the demi-arret: no, this is not French for a half parade, or half halt. Its purpose is to mobilize the mouth, and to raise the head to achieve a lighter contact. It also changes the balance of the horse and opens the angle of the poll. It is achieved by turning the fingers to face upward and then lifting the hands so that the bit acts on the lips and the corners of the mouth.
 
They sort of half halt - but separate the aids. Never use leg and hand at the same time.
So they could give a brief balancing rein aid followed immediately by a leg aid. But the rein and leg aid would not go on at the same time.
I'm not actually a PK follower - just went to a few talks to broaden my horizons....but it was a strong message that you don't give opposing leg and rein at the same time.
 
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