Training the young horse to halt square and half halt.
Use your voice aids when asking for any transition with a green horse.
They will quickly learn to associate the new ridden aids with the voice commands that they are already familiar with.
When training a horse to halt it is important to teach them to halt square.
A square halt is when the weight is evenly distributed on all four legs.
If the horse does not halt squarely then you can correct this by asking the horse to step forwards.
Always ask the horse to step forward never backwards into a square halt.
At this stage of the training the horse needs to be thinking forwards at all times.
Do not expect a green horse to get it right first time.
It may take days or weeks. Practice this for a short time each day as part of your training routine.
You will need to introduce half-halts into your routine, by steadying and rebalancing the horse for a change of direction or transition.
The horse’s centre of gravity is moved further back so the rider lightens the forehand in preparation for the next instruction.
Your ride should include half-halts at all times not just when training a green horse.
It is part of an ongoing process, in order to maintain a smooth, co-ordinated transition by horse and rider.
How do I half-halt?
You need to ride the horse forward closing the lower leg and using a tiny check of the hand.
You are asking the horse to place its hind legs further underneath the body.
When you slightly check with the hand it should hardly be visible and you must be thinking “whoa” without actually coming to a halt.
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Mountin the green horse for the first time.
Riding the green pony on a lung line.
Riding the young horse off the lunge line.
Backing a horse
Cantering the newly backed horse
Working on the bit
Horse training voice commands
