How To Control Your Horse’s Speed
Don't rely on the reins to control your horse's speed. Do this instead.
"I'm worried about my daughter", the college student's father told me. "Her horse gets so strong when jumping a course that she's barely in control. Can you help?"
"Yes", I told him. "I can. By teaching her a bit of magic from dressage."
The magic: Executing the perfect half halt.
A Half Halt Isn’t Pulling Back Halfway on the Reins
I started out as a hunter, and I thought I knew exactly what a half halt was—pulling back on the reins, but not hard enough to stop your horse, right?
This misunderstanding of the half halt is pervasive. In this video, a young rider receives instruction on how to use half halts to slow her horse down. Throughout the video, the half halt is described and demonstrated through little gestures as pulling back on the reins.
"Yes", I told him. "I can. By teaching her a bit of magic from dressage."
The magic: Executing the perfect half halt.
A Half Halt Isn’t Pulling Back Halfway on the Reins
I started out as a hunter, and I thought I knew exactly what a half halt was—pulling back on the reins, but not hard enough to stop your horse, right?
This misunderstanding of the half halt is pervasive. In this video, a young rider receives instruction on how to use half halts to slow her horse down. Throughout the video, the half halt is described and demonstrated through little gestures as pulling back on the reins.
Half halts are crucial in jumping for two reasons. First, they help you control your horse's speed. Second, they set him for the jump so that he springs from his haunches rather than throwing his forehand over the jump awkwardly. |
The problem is that a horse can run right through your hands as she gets excited about jumping all those jumps. So you try a stronger, harsher bit. And she learns to run through that. So you use a double bitted bridle, such as a Pelham, and hope she does manage to run through that. |
Horses that rush through a course usually carry most of their weight on their forehands. And they pull their riders forward toward the withers, thereby giving themselves more power and control. To put yourself back in control of your horse’s speed, you need to reverse this—you need to bring yourself further back toward the horse’s haunches and rebalance him so that he drives more from behind and pulls less from in front.
The half halt done properly accomplishes this. And it has little to do with the reins. It has to do with using your core muscles in conjunction with squeezing your hands so that you simultaneously shift your horses weight back onto her haunches and put an invisible barrier in front of her nose. The result is that the horse's back and shoulders rise, her croup lowers, and her tempo slows.
HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT HALF HALT IN TROT
The half halt comes from your core muscles, not from your hands. When executing a half halt, keep your shoulders low, but stretch your torso so that it feels longer. Pull your abs in and rotate your pelvis under you slightly so that your pubic bone moves up in the direction of your navel. If you take Pilates, yoga, or martial arts, this move will be familiar to you. It provides a core of power and stability to your stance.
At the same time that you engage your abs and lower back, squeeze (not pull) your reins by tightening your fist. Point your thumb toward the ground and allow your little finger to come closer to the underside of your wrist. You do NOT need to pull back on the reins. Squeeze your lower legs gently on the horse's barrel as well.
Engaging your core muscles and squeezing your hands this way has the effect of shifting your own weight and your horse's weight back towards the horse’s haunches and closing an invisible barrier in front of your horse’s nose. The effect on your horse will be to slow him down, and to rebalance him as well by shifting more of his weight toward his haunches. This also will flex his jaw and poll, raise his back, and put his hind legs more underneath him so that he can drive from behind. This is the essence of a half halt.
In this video, a rider demonstrates how to do a half halt. The slow motion segments make it crystal clear what she is doing and how it dramatically affects the horse's carriage and tempo.
The half halt done properly accomplishes this. And it has little to do with the reins. It has to do with using your core muscles in conjunction with squeezing your hands so that you simultaneously shift your horses weight back onto her haunches and put an invisible barrier in front of her nose. The result is that the horse's back and shoulders rise, her croup lowers, and her tempo slows.
HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT HALF HALT IN TROT
The half halt comes from your core muscles, not from your hands. When executing a half halt, keep your shoulders low, but stretch your torso so that it feels longer. Pull your abs in and rotate your pelvis under you slightly so that your pubic bone moves up in the direction of your navel. If you take Pilates, yoga, or martial arts, this move will be familiar to you. It provides a core of power and stability to your stance.
At the same time that you engage your abs and lower back, squeeze (not pull) your reins by tightening your fist. Point your thumb toward the ground and allow your little finger to come closer to the underside of your wrist. You do NOT need to pull back on the reins. Squeeze your lower legs gently on the horse's barrel as well.
Engaging your core muscles and squeezing your hands this way has the effect of shifting your own weight and your horse's weight back towards the horse’s haunches and closing an invisible barrier in front of your horse’s nose. The effect on your horse will be to slow him down, and to rebalance him as well by shifting more of his weight toward his haunches. This also will flex his jaw and poll, raise his back, and put his hind legs more underneath him so that he can drive from behind. This is the essence of a half halt.
In this video, a rider demonstrates how to do a half halt. The slow motion segments make it crystal clear what she is doing and how it dramatically affects the horse's carriage and tempo.
To practice this, lower your stirrups by a couple of holes (from jumping position) so that you can open the angle of your hip. Put your horse into trot and post. Allow your hips to swing forward as you rise from the saddle. When your horse is trotting forward with a lot of energy, abruptly tighten your core muscles, shift your weight slightly back from your legs, hips, back, and shoulders, and squeeze your hands as you rise up out of the saddle. Think about and feel what is happening behind you so that your focus is on your own weight moving back in the saddle. Your horse should respond to this sudden rebalancing of your weight by slowing his pace and elevating his trot. If he doesn’t respond the first time, be patient. He may not be used to paying much attention to what’s happening there on his back, particularly if he is used to you controlling him by pulling and pulling on the reins.
Once your horse reliably responds to this rising version of the half halt, you’re ready to try the actual half halt at trot and canter. Establish an energetic trot, then “stretch up tall” by lengthening your torso (your shoulders remain low), tuck your bottom under, tighten your abs and lower back, shift your weight back slightly from your legs, hips, and shoulders, and squeeze your fingers to tighten your fists. Again, think and feel that your own weight is shifting toward your back and your horse’s back. You should feel your horse respond to this shift in your weight. His pace should slow, his back should rise under you, his poll should flex, and his weight should shift back in the direction of his haunches. He will still feel very “stretchy” and powerful, but you will feel more in control of him.
Continue to practice this at trot until your horse reliably and immediately responds to your half halt.
HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT HALF-HALT IN CANTER
To control your horse's speed in canter, you do the same thing--shift her weight back toward her haunches by lengthening your torso, tucking your bottom under, tightening your abs, and squeezing your fingers around the reins to tighten your fists. This is especially important because most jumps are taken in canter. So it is vital that you perfect your half halt in canter before going on to half halt in jumping.
Using the half halt this way will improve your control of your horse, build your horse’s topline, and improve his gaits so that they are less “rushy” and more elevated. Your dressage or equitation scores should improve as a result.
HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT HALF-HALT IN TWO-POINT
Now add your perfect half halt to your two-point position: Canter your horse along the long side of the arena in two-point, developing a 12-foot stride. As you approach the corner (be sure to give yourself enough room) sit back in the saddle in “dressage seat” and execute your perfect half-halt. This rebalancing will allow you to ride through the corner in a balanced, controlled way. Keep this “collected” canter until you’re through the next corner, then go to two point again along the long side, allowing your horse to stretch into his 12-foot stride. Continue this exercise (with appropriate breaks for your horse) until you can collect your horse immediately any time you want using your “dressage seat”. Then try doing the same thing while remaining in two-point: Tighten your abs and lower back, shift your weight slightly back from your legs and seat, draw your shoulders back slightly, and close your fingers. You should be able to collect your horse easily this way even though you remain out of the saddle.
HOW TO USE THE PERFECT HALF-HALT TO CONTROL YOUR HORSE’S PACE WHILE JUMPING A COURSE
Now the BIG payoff! Half halt in jumping to improve your scores! Take your horse through a practice jump course. Each time you feel him begin to rush toward a jump, go back to your dressage seat and execute your perfect half halt. Presto! Your horse will be rebalanced and more controlled, and should take the jump with more impulsion and spring from behind (as opposed to throwing his forehand over the jump). Be patient if he at first puts up a fight by trying to go back to his old ways of jumping. Habits are hard to change. But patience and persistence will teach him that YOU are in control of his pace, and that he benefits from cantering and jumping this way!
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD March 11, 2016; updated Jan 22, 2020; updated May 30, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Practical and Powerful Tips for Improving Your Horse Jumping
Why You Should Do an Automatic Release Rather Than a Crest Release When Jumping Your Horse
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
Tips for Improving Your Riding
Get Fit To Ride!
Once your horse reliably responds to this rising version of the half halt, you’re ready to try the actual half halt at trot and canter. Establish an energetic trot, then “stretch up tall” by lengthening your torso (your shoulders remain low), tuck your bottom under, tighten your abs and lower back, shift your weight back slightly from your legs, hips, and shoulders, and squeeze your fingers to tighten your fists. Again, think and feel that your own weight is shifting toward your back and your horse’s back. You should feel your horse respond to this shift in your weight. His pace should slow, his back should rise under you, his poll should flex, and his weight should shift back in the direction of his haunches. He will still feel very “stretchy” and powerful, but you will feel more in control of him.
Continue to practice this at trot until your horse reliably and immediately responds to your half halt.
HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT HALF-HALT IN CANTER
To control your horse's speed in canter, you do the same thing--shift her weight back toward her haunches by lengthening your torso, tucking your bottom under, tightening your abs, and squeezing your fingers around the reins to tighten your fists. This is especially important because most jumps are taken in canter. So it is vital that you perfect your half halt in canter before going on to half halt in jumping.
Using the half halt this way will improve your control of your horse, build your horse’s topline, and improve his gaits so that they are less “rushy” and more elevated. Your dressage or equitation scores should improve as a result.
HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT HALF-HALT IN TWO-POINT
Now add your perfect half halt to your two-point position: Canter your horse along the long side of the arena in two-point, developing a 12-foot stride. As you approach the corner (be sure to give yourself enough room) sit back in the saddle in “dressage seat” and execute your perfect half-halt. This rebalancing will allow you to ride through the corner in a balanced, controlled way. Keep this “collected” canter until you’re through the next corner, then go to two point again along the long side, allowing your horse to stretch into his 12-foot stride. Continue this exercise (with appropriate breaks for your horse) until you can collect your horse immediately any time you want using your “dressage seat”. Then try doing the same thing while remaining in two-point: Tighten your abs and lower back, shift your weight slightly back from your legs and seat, draw your shoulders back slightly, and close your fingers. You should be able to collect your horse easily this way even though you remain out of the saddle.
HOW TO USE THE PERFECT HALF-HALT TO CONTROL YOUR HORSE’S PACE WHILE JUMPING A COURSE
Now the BIG payoff! Half halt in jumping to improve your scores! Take your horse through a practice jump course. Each time you feel him begin to rush toward a jump, go back to your dressage seat and execute your perfect half halt. Presto! Your horse will be rebalanced and more controlled, and should take the jump with more impulsion and spring from behind (as opposed to throwing his forehand over the jump). Be patient if he at first puts up a fight by trying to go back to his old ways of jumping. Habits are hard to change. But patience and persistence will teach him that YOU are in control of his pace, and that he benefits from cantering and jumping this way!
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD March 11, 2016; updated Jan 22, 2020; updated May 30, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Practical and Powerful Tips for Improving Your Horse Jumping
Why You Should Do an Automatic Release Rather Than a Crest Release When Jumping Your Horse
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
Tips for Improving Your Riding
Get Fit To Ride!