The most fundamental and essential tool a rider uses to create and improve balance in the horse is the half-halt. In order for the half-halt to be effective, the one giving it must also be balanced. The “postural half-halt” process combines these two goals—balancing the rider in order to balance the horse.
The term “half-halt” is not without its own problems. Used correctly, the half-halt is a moment for both horse and rider to get back into balance during a movement or transition.
Because the word “halt” is included, many people think of the half-halt as a pull or take-and-give with the reins. The half-halt should only use the reins to add support as a last step.
When a rider goes through the steps of a postural half-halt the need for using the reins is greatly diminished, and the reins can remain employed in their best task—feeling and receiving information from the horse—rather than as a primary message delivery system which does not allow for much information from the horse.
If we make a list of the steps to halt, it may read something like this: Sit up tall, stretch legs down, hold body steady while closing the legs, close hands.
If we then think of a portion of these elements, we can come to the benefits of the preparatory balance needed to achieve a halt, without actually wanting or needing a full whoa. To quote Erik Herbermann, “…the half-halt is a way of saying ‘Stop right now! Oh, wait, I changed my mind.’”
The postural half-halt in action
In order to execute a postural half-halt, let’s begin with a few basic balancing exercises to make sure the rider is sitting squarely and without tension:
Cutting the body in half: From the belly button up, stretch the spine up and out through the top of the head; lift your rib cage upward and forward, being careful to lift only from the belly line, and not out of the seat; allow the neck to lengthen.
From the belly button down: allow a neutral (perpendicular) pelvis to sit with legs hanging. You should be able to feel the horse moving freely through your lower back without mimicking the motion.
Feel for any tension in joints, especially the backs of the hands, wrists and forearms. Find the sitz bones and assess them for equal weight. Release hip joints to let the legs soften. Do not hold the legs up into the hip joints, or try to push the legs down (don’t try to keep your legs on your body—they won’t fall off!).
Now the rider is in balance and ready to give a postural half-halt:
Stretch upward while dropping and closing the inner thigh. Imagine rotating the thigh bone inwards to avoid using the back (hamstrings) or top (adductors) only.
Connect your belly button to your shoulder blades by pulling the belly up and in, and scapulae down and in, towards each other. This will firm up the upper body and seat. Simultaneously begin to close the fingers around the reins without pulling back or tensing the wrist, hand, or forearm. If you feel the horse respond, stop using the rein.
Release all engagements without losing posture or connection—don’t fall apart, slouch, or give.
Repeat as needed, using only as much effort as is needed to feel a response from the horse.
What to look for
Look for a response from the horse, however small. Repeat frequently until you feel the horse is able to maintain balance by themselves for longer and longer periods, from a few strides to a whole circle to several minutes. Frequent, but perhaps lighter, half-halts will always be needed to help the horse understand to maintain the balance, just as a coach or personal trainer is there to remind you to check on technique along each step of the way.
Troubleshooting
Horses cannot feel through resistance and tension. If the rider is off balance, crooked, or gripping, not only can the horse not feel what the rider is doing, it is already busy compensating in its own balance to make up for the faults in the rider. Do a self-check by repeating the above exercises frequently to assess your own place on the horse and within your body. It will quickly become a habit that allows you to progress further faster.
Important notes
It is vital to not fall apart once you feel the horse respond!
It is common to want to “give” or reward the horse, but your job here is to help create balance and foster the horse’s ability to carry himself. If you sag, drop contact, or change the balance you actually take the reward away, and any chance for the horse to keep developing on the previous half-halts is lost.
Practice the above while walking on a long rein, hacking, and schooling. Even without contact, you should begin to feel a response from your horse the more you become accustomed to the process while remaining free of tension and breathing easily. Don’t be surprised if your horse slows, collects, or even halts; they will respond as your practice improves because you have become clear in your actions and request.
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