Horse Riding Lessons - The Half Halt

[@BasicHorseTraining]

This video shows how I taught myself to "do a Half Halt". There are so many variations to a half halt but I needed a structured and methodical way to get me started. I hope this might help you too.

[@Remyrem888]

Опишите словами. На видео совершенно не видно, что вы делаете руками.

[@sannat-l8610]

So, have I understood this right: you sort of ”squeeze a sponge” twice before the actual movement comes to a halt or a different gait with the third ”squeeze”?

[@anniecampbell8554]

And again, Josie, you’ve explained a key riding skill in a relatable way. The big thing here tho’ is that ‘half halt’ is like some magical, golden coin we’re expected to pluck out of the ether that is nearly impossible to earn. The ‘are you listening?’ explanation makes all the sense in the world. Being yelled at in lessons ‘half halt, half halt’ confuses not only learner riders like me but the way smarter and more savvy ponies I’m being schooled on! I really appreciate your down to earth / accessible advice.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you Annie. I had my fair share of being yelled at and not understanding what I was being asked to do. That’s why I make these videos. I don’t want anyone to feel lost and useless like I did especially about something the love 💕

[@horse_addictforlife_ECuestrian]

I remember an instructor telling me to half halt when I was a beginner rider in rising trot with a very forward horse too focused on chasing the horse in front. I had no idea what it meant back then. But she said "good!" when I attempted what I thought was a half halt, but I was never actually taught exactly how to do it and why.

[@lauramoy9940]

I love the are you listening 3 times giving the horse time to do what you will ask.

[@KingsMom831]

I had no idea when I was a kid, it’s been only in the last decade that I feel like I am finally understanding how to communicate with horses. I realized, it was more about me observing learning and listening to THEM. Your videos ALWAYS help😊🙏

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@jamiemoore8389]

This is how I do my half halt but it’s only recently that I understood what I was asking the horse when I was doing a half halt. The wet sponge analogy and belly button to spine is how I teach my students to engage and half halt!!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You have very lucky students 🙂

[@donnacarey7856]

Your teaching is soooo complete and concise and uncomplicated. Thank you for clearing my confusion. 🏇❤️🐴

[@getrohanlobo]

This is amazing - it would be very nice if you explained the aids for the various transitions - when you say Trot, what do you do to make it start trotting

[@garykayser7530]

Finally, clarity on what the half halt means in motion. Thank you so much.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carolsamford]

This is the best demonstration and explanation of the half halt I've yet to see. This is actually something that finally makes sense and I can't wait to put it in to practice. Thank you so much!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are welcome carolsamford

[@donnacarey7856]

Geeeeeez AT LAST👍🏻❤️🐴 Somebody made it simple😉 Thank you Josie 🏇

[@cherylthomas6727]

Never really understood the half halt because I don’t think my instructors really did. I understand it now!! Ready to go practice!

[@sadiq81]

I did exactly the same, the half halt works with me in every move, transition and keep my horse attentive. This Video gave me more confidence about my way of riding the horse 👍🏼. You can be lost with the thousands of videos and articles, you really have to spend time searching the good and accurate content.

[@andreamellor3944]

Love all your videos Josie, this one is particularly helpful in that it explains how to actually do the half halt! As one who only gets to ride school horses in lessons, time is restricted, so additional learning in between is helpful.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad it was helpful!🙂

[@KM-lu7nh]

Agree. That was helpful. I have the same limitations with the school horses, lessons and time restriction.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@selenafigueroa8236]

I really appreciate these videos you make. Unlike most of the equestrians around me, I did not start riding horses at a young age. While I'm not new to horses, I didnt ever ride much aside from maybe a walk or a trot in a small riding pen. It's been very difficult for me as a green adult rider with a green off the track Standardbred. I've been taking lessons for a little over a year now and despite me telling my instructor to teach me as though I'm a child just starting out, she would start yelling out about half halts and other things that I wasn't really aware of. It made it really hard for me to understand what I was supposed to be doing in the saddle and really frustrated with myself and my riding abilities. Your videos help me visualize and understand certain concepts much better than some of the explanations given to me previously. And while I still struggle with a lot of things, I have definitely seen an improvement in my riding and remind myself that Ive only been taking lessons for a year as opposed to some of the people around me who have been riding for over 10. Thank you. 😊

[@briarspillane9782]

ok half halt.. searched it and here we are. I am in rehab for a ruptured achilles tendon. studying up on all sorts. Can't wait to when i can ride again (months) and practice this. I like your simple explanations thankyou Josie.

[@lisawalls1863]

Are you listening? Are you listening? COOOAAAAANNNEEERRR 😂 Thankyou for this video I'm 15 and I've been riding for about 4 years on and off at different places but about 6 months ago we found a place close to home that has stuck and I have been doing consistent lessons but I never knew what this half halt thing was because no one ever taught me!

[@esiuol360girl19]

Since covid hit I wasn't able to ride and now after covid riding lessons are so expensive. I'm hoping to get back into riding again but I've honestly forgotten a few things so thought I'd brush up on a few things. When I had a lesson years ago and someone shouted "HALF HALT" and it's only when I said I have no idea what that is that they were like oh that's why your not doing it lol. This video was a good reminder of what this was! 😊

[@nancyberg1990]

I rode all my life from age 7 with the knowledge I gained from just hopping on an riding but at 50, I bought a horse to learn dressage on who was well trained - he quickly taught me that I knew nothing about riding aids and starting bolting and acting out whenever possible to intimidate me. In the beginning, half halt was like a foreign word & I've worked to try to understand what it is for and how to use it properly. I have continued to learn in lessons and by watching videos and I have to say this is the very best description & demonstration of how to use the half halt I have ever seen!! I can't wait to get out there and try your method.

[@hallgirly]

Your videos are so helpful! I’m dyslexic and have always had a hard time understanding what exactly my horse and instructor wanted but you explained it perfectly!

[@davidrenn6897]

Great presentation! You've given clarity to a process I only half understood! Thank You! 👍

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad to help 🙂

[@sammyjof1]

I just started riding english after riding western for over 30 years. Love your videos. Thank you so much for all the great, no nonsense help and instruction!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Your welcome 🙂

[@lauramoy9940]

I love this video. I always thought you had to squeeze the horse into the half halt by putting your legs on & squeezing both reins. I like your way of doing a half halt.

[@endoraadora538]

Thanks Josie. Another excellent summary of how to get from A to B to C and back to B etc. You are a national treasure!!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Oh thank you. That is very kind of you 🙂

[@JeanPaul-eu5tn]

Bang on hun this process of education is often missed and rarely articulated like you do! It is imperative in any work you do with a horse….Great work 👌🏾

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you

[@randomlyfunny2657]

finally a video that clarified the half halt for me.thank you!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mirandy1014]

Yes but 1/2 happy on which rein?

[@Annern93]

I have never understood what a half halt is and I'm gonna try this on my riding lesson today :D

[@clairemosher3370]

This slowed down my very fast arab gelding today! Ty for fantastic explanation!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad it helped! 🙂

[@lorettapiscopo6882]

Very well done. Now I get a half halt and I will practice this. One suggestion. As a professor of teaching English as a Second Language,we eliminate unnecessary words for beginners. I will say to my horse,"Listen, Listen, Listen." Just eliminate the "Are you". However, I understand using a full question for your video. Thank you again.

[@juliecramer7768]

Thank you! I will try this tomorrow. I will also listen to this several more times.

[@comesahorseman]

In Centered Riding, we were taught that a "half halt" is a rebalancing....of the rider first. Check the alignment of your building blocks first, because how can you expect your horse to attain balance if you, the rider, are out of balance? Something to think about, this has served me very well.

[@monhorze2725]

Great job，before this video，I always think half halt as something so philosophic，thanks a lot

[@clegg334]

This is probably the best explained video I've come across on using half halts. Thank you!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You're very welcome!

[@crazycoldlily0085]

thank you so much i really appreciate this ive been trying to find a good video to explain the half halt and this video is very easy to understand and explained well i will be trying this with my horse.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I would love to hear how you go. Just remember this is only the beginning of how to ride one 🙂

[@abdulqaadir6510]

1:49 - you spoke to the depths of my soul there! :D

[@karenmcmillan6167]

I love your videos. They really illustrate and explain those concepts that are common vocabulary in the horseback riding world .

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you Karen ☺️

[@kitzifriedman4469]

The number of times I found myself asking my horse "Are you listening?" today ! LOL😂

[@juliachristian4270]

Hi Josie...thanks for video - makes a lot of sense. Can you just explain to me why you 'hug' your horse a little more on the first half halt? And do you release that hug...when? Thank you :-)). Hope my question makes sense

[@BasicHorseTraining]

It makes sense Julia. 🙂 In a half halt we actually want the horse to step forward into the contact as the HH is a forward aid so my legs tell my horse to step a little further underneath himself with his hind legs and then I "catch" that feeling in my hand (The contact) and I release as I release the HH. They work within a split second of each other. I hope that clarified it for you. It's really hard to put feelings into words.

[@mirandy1014]

Do the legs and HH happen at the same time?

[@philippcheyne9987]

Thanks Josie, your explanation was great

[@kristinakandyba8252]

Thanks for being so precise in your explanation of the half half. Excellent video!!!

[@theimperfectequestrian]

Thank you that does really help. Always struggled to understand and apply. I'll go try this now thank you

[@octoberjubilee9866]

Thank you, Josie. I appreciate your videos, they explain the topics so well. I will be practicing the half-halt to help transitions.

[@eleanorkhachadourian2519]

This is BRILLIANT! I used to (many years ago now) do a bit of dressage and my teacher taught me the half halt. The funny thing is, I never was sure whether I was doing it right and after all these years you have given me the answer - amazingly enough, I WAS!!!! Fabulous video and loads of people will benefit. I also seem to remember having to half halt when asking for more collection and impulsion. Riding well is hard and I'm sure I wasn't very good but I did try hard!

[@mirandy1014]

Which rein do you happy halt with. The inside or outside. ??

[@loredelore7286]

My take on a half halt is rechecking the balance the speed and the rhythm my weight and Everything else.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

That’s perfect! It’s too far along for me in the beginning though. I was not able to work all of that out so I had to start here. It has evolved into that though. 🙂

[@loredelore7286]

@@BasicHorseTraining Did your mare foal yet, remember you said mid Oct.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

No not yet Lore. She is 333 days today but not really looking ready. Soon though 🥰

[@ritaobrien2779]

I watched your video on bending, it taught me so much. Half halt has been an issue for me as well. I will definitely practice this. I find my hands rising while asking for the half halt. Knowing the proper way to ask will definitely help. You explain so simple for a rider to understand and apply the command. Will let you know how it goes. Thank you. I truly enjoy your videos.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Your welcome 🤗

[@SandieButler-q7e]

Thankyou josie for explaining this half halt which I always found confusing . Are you listening is a good aid thankyou

[@ameeliamajid8140]

thank you.. you helped me to understand it much better.. really easy to understand

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad to hear that!

[@kellyprice1349]

again...blown away!!! thank you!!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Your welcome!

[@wetdewlap8741]

Thank you for making me understand this, I’ve concocted so many different theories on what the half half is, and every trainer says something different. I think I will stick with this, going to work on my stop and go aids tomorrow and start really keeping track of my lessons. Can no longer afford in person lessons and your videos are invaluable! Just ordered myself a training log so I can keep track of progress and lessons we will be working on. I definitely do better ( as does my boy) when I have a clear direction. Quick question, when do you start fading out the three questions,” are you listening? Or do you? Can I whisper this at a show? Lol

[@evaburgess3648]

Love your explanations

[@barbstrona1]

Anxious to try this…

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Have fun!

[@astridlinden9519]

Tx Josie, really enjoying your videos and especially this one!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you Astrid. I am curious as to why especially this one? Connection building with my horses is my passion.

[@astridlinden9519]

A few actually practised half halting just before and trot posting to also help my hands!! Connection is an issue for us. I also managed post trot without stirrups! Might need a bath tonight😉😄😄

[@BasicHorseTraining]

😆

[@carolinecraig7341]

I now know how to half halt

[@BasicHorseTraining]

🙂

[@KingsMom831]

Just look at this guy😁😁🥰🥰

[@BasicHorseTraining]

🤩🤩🤩

[@anettstoermer2398]

Very good video. Very good explained. Thank you so much. Greetings from Germany.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you Anett and thank you for letting me know you are from Germany 🇩🇪. 😊

[@christinafragis7224]

Loved your explanations and demonstration - so many coaches don't really explain the half halt and catch us off guard when they ask us to do one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I actually taught myself too to half halt and kept on wondering whether I was on the right track.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are welcome 🙂

[@lorialbers6583]

Wonderful, uncomplicated explanation! Such a clear plan for how to teach this to me and my horse. Can't wait for Montana to thaw out so I can practice!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I hope you thaw out soon Lori 🔥

[@sliyverinthesky]

thank you . your method is really easy to understand and to apply

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I’m glad it was helpful🙂

[@AnnaMaria-yr7lv]

Thank you! Dziękuję :)

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Nie ma za co ☺️

[@gemmajohnston6196]

Thank you Josie! Kept hearing half halt but just had absolutely no idea what it was! Now I can go and put this to practice 👏👏

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are welcome Gemma. 🙂

[@martyclark444]

Very helpful!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliecramer7768]

Thank you!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Your welcome 😊

[@drronashapiro5737]

Very helpful.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad to hear!

[@paolopiccirillo6760]

i love your job and i do practice myself every time,I feel horses improve supple contact and balance.Miliard thanks

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Great to hear!🙂

[@catherineramiah5559]

Fabulous video Josie thank you - I’m going to try this on my next ride! So easy to understand! Thank you 👏

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are welcome. Let me know how you go 🙂

[@cbwawa]

Thank you, your videos are helping me understand and visualize what to do when I’m riding my horse Chester. By the way, Chester looks very much like your horse here, Spider. What breed is Spider? I assume Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred cross? I bought my boy Chester without any background information so I wonder what he is exactly.

[@TheEquiClubYouTube]

Great video❣️

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you!! 🙂

[@olaemmi1622]

I did’nt understand half halt but that was so Good video!💗

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I’m glad you liked it 🙂

[@DB-xe1vy]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are welcome 😊

[@katrinathompson6339]

Thank you!! I'm working on half halt with my mare. This really helped solidify my understanding of it. Awesome 💜💜💜

[@BasicHorseTraining]

So glad it was helpful Katrina. 😊

[@dorisg.1891]

I love this video. Can't wait to try it later today. Do you always use your left hand for the half trot?

[@connieoneill1063]

Just to clarify.. Is the reign aid used simultaneously with stomach aid...

[@heyamahmed4524]

you are amazing :)

[@sandrawheeler1521]

Brill vidio and explaination of half halt. Are you always using your outside rien to half halt please? Or both riens?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Hi Sandra. In this video I am only using the outside rein 🙂

[@haimaelsayed]

So are you doing the half halt with the outside rein only? Thank you for your great videos!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Yes, I am but sometimes I do use both. It is something you need to "play" with as you develop a feel for it. Sometimes the horse will go to flex to the outside when you only use the outside so you need to slightly close your inside fist so you keep his nose pointing forward.

[@mirandy1014]

Sorry! I rewatched and you did say outside rein 😊. I notice you HH on the rise when outside front leg is forward. Is it ok to do during the sit in trot when front leg is back? It’s harder for me to do at the rise

[@Gracie.eq.]

do you have to say "are you listening are you listening" to them?

[@AmraK-ft5ti]

Hello. Thank you for the great video. I had one question. My horse seems to be losing his balance in two specific places. One corner while on the right reign and one corner on the left reign. On the right reign, He seems to be bending inwards into the circle and then getting of balance. On the left circle he seems to be bending his body very much and then he kind of drifts away to the outside a little bit. Can you please help me out with that? I will be very grateful if you do.

[@sicilymaldonado8340]

I had never heard of half half till this video but I am quite green myself. But I will try getting my horse to prepare for transitions with “are you listening “ for-cues. Different topic, do you think you could do a video about hackamore bridles?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I don't use a Hackamore so I don't think I would be the best person to do a video on that. Thank for leaving me a comment. 🙂

[@Robin-sb7vu]

Are you using your hands in the 3 step half halt on the inside or outside rein or both?

[@jessydawson2917]

Do you sponge the reins 3 times when moving from trot to canter? Or only sponge when moving from trot to walk or halt?

[@mirandy1014]

Are you 1/2 halting with inside or outside rein?? I’d love a reply… or from anyone. Been trying to figure this out for years!

[@ginawarner483]

Are you only half halting either the outside rein? Or both?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

In this video I am only using the outside rein, I will sometimes use the inside rein but that is for a completely different aid and I wanted to show how I began in the beginning 🙂

[@stevesigley8193]

I have ADHD and I understood 😅 I do this when i start to ride I lift the reins and say are we ready? Then let's go

[@alisonwalker5921]

Hi, I have been watching lots of your videos and thank you for creating them :) So are you saying a half halt could be described as a collecting of your horse. Or preparing it in an easily repetitive way to make a transition of some sort?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Hi Alison, there are so many different types of half halts that's why it is quite difficult to explain to someone what one is. There is the HH before/after a transition/aid etc which is "are you ready/listening something coming, there is a HH bring your hind legs under you and take a little more weight (collection) and any number on the spectrum between. Collection itself is when the horse bends the joints of his hind legs a little more and takes more weight on them. So I guess my answer is it's both - I HH when I want my horse's attention and I will certainly HH when I want him to take more weight behind (collect) - what usually differs is the amount of leg/seat to hand ratio within the half halt. My aim for this video was to show people how I started to make sense of the HH in the beginning. I needed to start somewhere and build from there. That's the way I learn and my coaches telling me to half halt and never telling me what or how to do it didn't help me at all. I hope that has helped you. Thank you for a fabulous question 🙂

[@alisonwalker5921]

@@BasicHorseTraining Thank you for the reply. So I am obviously new to riding I have used an incorrect word when I used the word collecting of the horse as that obviously means something very specific in riding terms. Let me try again. The HH is a way of letting your horse know you are going to ask something of him and your next aid whatever it is follows that initial HH. You are also saying you give a HH after the aid? I'm not sure why that is as wouldn't the horse be expecting another new aid to follow? Thanks again :)

[@BasicHorseTraining]

The HH that you give after an aid for example walk to trot. You HH to warn him you are going to do something. You do the transition and then if he is a little out of balance in the trot you would HH to help him find his balance again. You don’t alway use one you use your judgment as to whether you need to or not. The degree of the HH also varies from just a steady of your own core to a full leg seat and hand. Only experience help you to know when and how much to do.🙂.

[@alisonwalker5921]

@@BasicHorseTraining Great thank you very much. I am getting the feeling that riding well has a lot to do with experience practise and understanding your horse. I shall be applying myself the best way I can :)

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Just remember Alison.. we have all been where you are. If we can do it you can too ☺️

[@MikaKotikoski]

Very good video. Thank you 😀

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you 😊

[@addie_cake8730]

So would a half halt for rebalancing only be one or two half halts opposed to a transition on the 3rd?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Great question… I usually HH until I feel them regain their balance. That may be one or may be ten. I hope that helps 🙂

[@addie_cake8730]

@@BasicHorseTraining oh I see! So, to prevent the horse from anticipating a transition a the 3rd HH, would you just leg them through and maintain your seat for your current gait? I worry my horse may think ahead of me after a 2nd HH and try to transition the moment he feels the 3rd HH.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Yes Addie_Cake - I mix it up so the HH become an "are you ready/listening" aid (for want of a better way to explain it). That way I can do "anything" an up trans, down trans, shorten the stride, lengthen the stride. So it's HH, HH then something ... not always a down transition but if you continuously do a down trans after 2nd HH then your horse will anticipate it and if they do never get cross ... your horse is trying to please you. he is trying to do what he thinks you want him to - just realise that you have been a little predictable. Sometimes you want to be predictable (when the horse is learning something new) and sometimes you want to mix it up. I hope that helps. Great questions 🙂

[@jakajajestem]

I'm wondering if halt halt can be done only by using reins (and the rest aids)? What about riders that aren't using reins? how do they inform their horses that there will be some change?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Once the horse is in tune with you they will half halt when you engage your core a little more and grow a little taller.

[@jakajajestem]

@@BasicHorseTraining thank you! Your answer is very interesting. I need to comprehend what you've written even if I see logic behind it - I definetely need to experience it:)

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I just want to make sure you understand that the half halt is not just a rein aid. It is legs, seat and hand working together. It is probably one of the most difficult things to explain because every half halt is done differently depending on the response from the horse at that particular moment in time 😊

[@jakajajestem]

@@BasicHorseTraining that concept I understand. But if I have the reins - I'm using the half halt WITH the reins. What if I wouldn't have the reins? As I understand - than we use only our seat and legs. Is this understanding correct?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Yes That is correct. If I am riding on a loose rein and I want to HH my horse I will use my body. This is not technically a HH though as the textbook description of a HH is to collect the horse. To bend the hind leg joints more and collect that energy through the bridle and recycle the energy and take more weight behind. It really is a complex thing which makes it hard to explain in words. What I'm teaching in this video is how I started to put it together for myself as I couldn't understand any of it. In doing this exercise I began to get a feel for it.

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

is he walking and trotting on the words walk and trot?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

NO he would be doing that on the seat and leg and rein aids.

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

​@@BasicHorseTraining I wondered. i have a bad right leg, ankle, hip and foot drop and it would be nice to have my horse do that with words.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You can certainly train your horse to go from words Jo Ann. Say the word you want to use when you give the aid and your horse should work it out. If you find it difficult to give the aid from the saddle do it on the lunge first and once he has it there try from the saddle 🙂

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

@@BasicHorseTraining thanx!

[@ffaf295]

@@joannmay-anthony1076 my mother taught dressage for many years , we always used vocal cues to support the physical ones. I had a quarter horse that was so on top of his vocals I could sit bareback on him and do nothing but vocals and he would respond for walk , trot, canter and woah . You definitely need your legs for more advanced cues/movements , though.

[@yinanxu641]

0p