The half stops improve your horse's ability to concentrate and help strengthen your bond. The half stop temporarily slows the front of the horse's body, while the rear continues to walk; the horse's body contracts with an arching of the back, shifting the balance on the hips rather than on the front legs. This variation in balance "wakes up" the horse and makes it more sensitive to react to your signals (for example, to change direction, pace, speed, etc.). Timing is key to coordinating your aids, so it's best to learn the half-stop by going in stages. After all, the half stop can vary slightly from horse to horse and from rider to rider - be patient and check out our problem handling section to solve common difficulties.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Performing the Half Stop
Step 1. Sink the seat into the saddle and maintain an upright position
The body should sway with the movement of the horse, rather than clinging strongly to the animal. Relax your shoulders and back. This way, the horse will more easily feel the signals coming from the saddle.
Step 2. Use the help of the reins
During the learning of the half stop, it is likely that you will use your hands more than when you are used to the signal. Make sure that the signal is very delicate: turn your wrists inwards to increase contact with the bite.
- Don't pull the reins.
- You will likely notice that the horse will loosen its bit and ride more evenly; however, it is not a question of a real stop (where one keeps pace with the hind legs), but rather of a disengagement of the hocks with consequent interruption of strength.
- If the horse hunches its back down and lifts its head, these are again signals that you need to continue to regulate by adopting other aids.
Step 3. Stretch your legs slightly
This way, the horse will understand that he needs to step up his hind leg step.
Step 4. Create a slight resistance on the saddle to tell the horse to stop
In one quick motion, squeeze your lower back muscles and apply pressure with your glutes as you would on a swing to propel yourself forward.
If the elbows are suspended to the side, the slight change in the position of the back should reach the reins via the arms, ensuring that the horse receives the signal without having to maneuver the reins at all
Step 5. Use driving aids when the horse slows down
When you feel it stopping, signal the horse to continue walking forward at a steady pace. You could do this mainly with the saddle or leg position, or both methods.
- Push the saddle forward.
- Apply light pressure with your leg on the horse's side. Keeping the legs lightly attached to the horse's side during the half stop will facilitate the transition to forward riding.
Part 2 of 3: Handling the Half-Stop Problems
Step 1. Make sure that the half stop doesn't last longer than one step
Pulling on the reins or squeezing the horse too long with the legs could cause it to resist, run away or become numb to your commands.
If the half stop is unsuccessful, try again at another pace, this time with more emphasis
Step 2. Don't overdo the reins
Remember: most of the half-stop signals come from the commands exercised with the horse sitting and with the legs. You may find that there is absolutely no need to use the reins. If you do, rather than yank them, gently squeeze them like you would a sponge.
Step 3. Don't wait too long for the half stop
Some horses need a half stop in the first steps of the canter or trot to establish the rider's control over the gait. Do not wait too long for the execution of the half stop, because if the horse increases its speed too much it will no longer be possible to do so.
Step 4. Give the horse clear commands
It is important that you have a precise idea of the half-stop signal and the message that the horse receives at each command. Some argue that the half stop is a way of communicating with the horse, but you need to know what you want to communicate. In short: "oh and go".
Part 3 of 3: Practice with the Half Stop
Step 1. Practice the command from the saddle position at home before experimenting with it on the horse
- In a sitting position, push down with your lower back and buttocks as if you were on a swing and push it forward. This way, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the half-stop signal.
- When you're ready, practice walking the horse: apply pressure on the saddle and light pressure on the reins.
- If the horse stops, reward him by scratching him gently and complimenting him.
- Keep practicing until the horse responds to help from your riding position with little (or no) pressure on the reins.
- Once you have mastered the movement, repeat the steps starting from the trot.
- If the horse is confused, you can go back to doing the walk-to-stop exercise to reinforce the meaning of the signal.
Step 2. Increase the horse's expectation of stopping with an exercise in transition from trot to step
With this simple exercise you can make the half stop signal clear. In a sense, both you and the horse are learning at the same time.
- In a dressage arena, ask to go from trot to walk at points A, E, C and B.
- Just walk a few steps, then return to the trot.
- Repeat for a few turns. The horse will soon learn the pattern and expect to slow down at the specified points.
- Subsequently, at the level of those letters, he begins to ask the horse to transition to the step, but at the last minute he changes his mind and maintains the trot.
- This method will allow you to give a little half-stop hint, and since the horse is waiting for the signal, it is likely to respond. When you ask the horse to continue, it will regain balance and move forward.
Step 3. Develop the half stop signal starting from the stop
Like the exercise indicated above, this increases the horse's expectation of a change, this time starting from a static position. Try this exercise if the horse does not respond to the one in step # 1. 2 or combine the two exercises.
- Ask the horse to stop and let it rest for two minutes.
- Travel about 36 meters at a trot, then command the horse again to stop and rest for another two minutes.
- After traveling another 36 meters or so at a trot, start with your signal for the stop, but as soon as you feel the horse slowing down, drive it forward.
Advice
- The amount needed for each aid for a half stop may depend on the horse or even on the day. Pay attention to how the horse responds to different aids and adjust your signal accordingly.
- Likewise, the half stop varies slightly from rider to rider, based on the constitution of each individual. You will need to practice to find what works best.
Warnings
- Don't mix the controls: when you ask for a half stop, don't push or pull at the same time because the horse will simply refuse to listen!
- ALWAYS wear a safety helmet and boots.
- Do not move to a faster pace if you do not first feel confident and able to have full control over slow and reduced movement.
- The half stop has the function of slowing down the horse without exerting too much force on the mouth. Do not pull the reins over the mouth, otherwise the horse will back off.
- Make sure you have an experienced rider or instructor nearby the first few times you try the half stop so that you can have help with any problems.
- If you can, record a video of your horse performing the half stop so that you can get a clearer idea of the signal.
