Half halt question

[Snowy Celandine]

I am struggling with half halts at the moment when riding my short legged Highland pony. She does collect under me a little bit but when I ask her to move on again she often shoots forward into a bouncy canter, which would be great if I wanted canter, but I don't. Am I asking too much of a stumpy legged beast or should I be able to get a decent half halt from her?

My other horse is the same breed but a hand higher and he half halts beautifully and really lifts himself and I can feel the power coming from his back leg as it steps under. My mare, bless her, has the rather 'scurrying' stride and stubby little legs typical of a lot of Highlands. She can produce some good work but is not athletically built and obviously finds it harder to step through with her hind leg as easily as my gelding.

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Bump

 

[Batgirl]

You should definately be able to get a half halt from her, half halt is quite hard to get right, often people think it is a case of just pulling on the outside rein etc.

However if she is collecting under you it would seem you are asking for it correctly, my next question would be are you keeping your contact and aids consistent after? If she is shooting forward are you releasing contact and pushing her forward accidentally, might be worth getting someone to watch from the floor as it is easy to see.

Or she could just be being a mare

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Thanks Laura. I am not quite sure what I am doing wrong to be truthful. I could well be giving forward with my hand, although I don't think I am I've got a lesson in two weeks time so I will ask my instructor for advice then. In the meantime I can ask my OH again but he's very novicey and I am not sure if he will give me accurate feedback on this issue (although he's very quick and accurate with his advice in other areas after having watched me ride for years on end until he finally got his own horse ).

 

[Snowy Celandine]

p.s. I meant to add that she is a fab pony but she does get her knickers in a twist about some transitions and bounces around like a pogo stick so she could just be doing this If I ask for walk to canter or, heaven forbid, halt to canter she gets in a right tizzy even though she can do it really well.

 

[fidleyspromise]

Just sounds like a highland to me Mine can get in a right tizzy and I find she responds better if I'm lighter in my aids whereas the heavier the aid, the more she fights and is another one to wizz off.

Could you get your OH to video you so you can see what it looks like?

 

[Snowy Celandine]

mishaspey - that's a really good idea! Thanks. I'll ask him to film me on his phone this week coming and then I can see what I am actually doing as opposed to what I think I am doing