How can I improve my horse's halt?

maletto

maletto

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 April 2010
Messages
1,674
Visit site
Most of the time when I halt (walk to halt, trot to halt, however) my horse will do a nice, square, soft halt for about one or two seconds and then will snatch the reins and pull to one side or the other and just go totally hollow and tense.

it's very annoying because the halt starts off nice but I just don't know how to keep it nice for longer.

any ideas?

*Added by admin*: See how Michael Eilberg teaches his horses to halt square every time at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/michael-eilberg-how-to-achieve-a-square-halt-video-509813
 
Don't think this is the correct way to do it.But Elizabeth got Captain to halt properly by making him back up then waiting and moving forward. He got the message and now does a nice halt when asked, well usually, dependable is most definitely not his nickname!
FDC
 
thanks fdc. so does she do a halt, rein back, walk type thing?

that's the prob-when he's nice and soft, I only need to think "back" and he does a very smart 6-10 strides of fab rein back but if he's hollow, there's no way he'd ever consider it!
 
What happens to YOUR back a few seconds after you have got a nice, soft square halt? The nicest rounded and relaxed you ever see as a dressage judge is as competitiors pat their horse and prepare to exit the arena at A! Everyone knows why - test over, pressure off, huge *sigh* from the rider in mind and body. The horse picks up on this and relaxes too. My guess would be a) that you and your horse have a very close bond and b) that YOU tense up at halt, expecting problems. Try getting the lovely soft halt then popping straight back into walk, before your horse (and you) has a chance to get hollow and fidgety. A sort of extended half halt if you get the idea. Walk him on a tiny circle straight back to where he was halted before, then halt again. Do it a few times until there's no fidgeting. Try to keep YOUR back, body, balance, relaxed and soft. Could someone video you so you can watch what you do? Good luck - sounds a lovely horse x
 
Thank you BOF!! that's good thinking. I will definitely try that.

You are probably right. I expect him to start fidgeting so he does!
 
Agree with BOF completely. My sisters pony used to be a bit of a fidgit in halt but we found that if she halted and then dropped her reins and completely relaxed (almost as though she was about to jump off) he would also relax and was happy to just stand. We then worked on her keeping that feeling but with a gentle contact. I think often this is a problem with horses that are quite sensitive to the seat aids - as our chap is. When he's in the right mood (;)) he will stop from the seat alone but it's very easy to keep holding that feeling once he's stopped when really you need to immediately release any pressure and say 'yes, that's what I want from you'.

Not sure if I'm describing things well here, but I hope you get the idea! Lots of praise when they do stands helps encourage it too. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top