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THE HALF HALT In the texts where you talk about the rider's hands and the tension and usage of the reins, you do not mention half halts. Do you actually advise against them?
But this should only be a "last chance" action for a bad situation. It's very far from the Equestrian Art.
A half halt is a clear, fast, light and upward action of the hands, on well adjusted reins and firmly closed fingers, immediately followed by the fingers releasing and the hands giving in. This action lightens the horse's forehand and sends weight toward the haunches. It allows the rider to "sit" the horse (lowers the haunches).
Around obstacles:
When tactfully executed, the half halt can be very useful, especially in show jumping. There is another accepted definition of the half halt. The half halt is a halt that is not carried to its completion. For example,
on a combination of obstacle in a jumping course: In Dressage Half halts allow the horse to keep his balance. Baucher saw them as a way to resolve the resistance due to weight on the forehand, by elevating the neck to move some of the weight to the hind end. Not so much
a strong action, a half halt is rather an upward vibration of the
fingers, sometimes of the wrists and hands. It is
preferable to use the fingers rather than the hands. If executed clumsily, forced, at the wrong time or systematically, the half halt bothers and stiffens the horse. It often causes the horse to resist and shake its head. It becomes a nuisance. If executed
with discretion, lightness and at the opportune moment by a relaxed
rider, the half halt is an efficient action that is well accepted
by the horse. |
Posture-position / Walk / Trot / Canter / Shoulder-in / half-pass / Flying change of lead / Pirouette /