Teaching the Half Halt

[@Daniela-vo4hi]

This just blows my mind. You don't see this kind of true collection in the vast majority of dressage horses out there. It honestly looks like Bundy would very soon be able to perform a piaffe. This is absolute gold.

[@WarwickSchiller]

Yeah, If I ask a bit too much he gets a little piaffe-y

[@Daniela-vo4hi]

@@WarwickSchiller video PLEASE :D

[@allysmith2284]

Best explanation of a half half ever! Thank you for making everything so clear and something that we can all understand 😊😊

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

I wonder what terrible advice people have been receiving if this is not clear to them. There must be some dreadful training advice out there. I was watching this and thinking if this isn't a half halt then what's a half halt!!

[@allysmith2284]

Elizabeth Blackwell being told to “half halt” does not explain the why!

[@calin7017]

@@elizabethblackwell6242 Sometimes, we learn things without knowing hw to call them and to what purpose, and when somebody takes time to properly explain them, we have that "epifanny" and everything comes clear and simple.

[@thelastmedici4764]

As a classical dressage rider, I can say this is the most brilliant explanation that I have ever seen👌👌👌

[@judithgable7817]

I love that he does not use a bit!!! The collection he gets in that horse is gorgeous.

[@kimseykittycat8437]

I've tried to understand the half halt for so long! (western rider, so I did my research only on the internet) It always confused me but now I really understand and now I also understand why it's important, thanks warwhick!

[@katect5992]

Ohmahgerd! Thank you! You have explained it on a way that makes sense and is achievable - instead of some impossible mystery instruction that trainers yell at you.

[@randomvielleuse527]

Best explanation EVER of the half halt. Thank you! I finally understand this. Wow. Fantastic.

[@johanna8206]

I've heard the half-halt described before as "whoa... nevermind", but after watching this I see that, depending on the horse's training and the riders mechanics, that could either be the correct or very wrong formula 🙄. Thanks for describing exactly what you are physically doing, and what you are physically asking the horse to do, so many dressage instructors make the half halt too vague and difficult to understand. I totally get it now, great video! 👍👏

[@gunnapaintya]

#journeyon20 My 3.5 years old Quarter Horse has had a tough start in life. She was diagnosed with a bone cyst in her stifle, for which she had an operation and 8 months of 24 hour box rest. Thankfully she recovered and now we are slowly building up her muscles and stamina. During this recovery period, my views on horse training and communication have changed a lot, thanks to my partner and thanks to your public videos. Beside your videos on polyvagal theory and your clinics, this half halt exercise is one I use a lot momentarily to strengthen my horse's hindquarters. It works very well and she enjoys to do it. I am eager to learn more and use the best way to train my horse to be a happy athlete. #journeyon20

[@aureliebarthere892]

Best half half explanation, Thank you !

[@earth2283]

Best video of how to train a half half in all of the interweb!

[@sintara8442]

Hi i just want to thank you for your videos and for answering my question a while ago. I realized i had gone too fast and went back to the basics to see what i lacked. It turns out it wasnt even so much work but it helped like a charm. Nowadays the horse is so confident and sure, even 6 year olds ride away with her. So thanks!

[@carolemuenzer5490]

Glad you’ve got your own place to work at now. I really miss riding and working w you so long ago. I had to have brain surgery so haven’t been able to ride for a while. Hope to run into you sometime. My best to you and family

[@WarwickSchiller]

Thanks Carole. I didnt know about your brain surgery, I hope are recovered. Stay safe, it's a crazy world out there

[@carolemuenzer5490]

WarwickSchiller thanks it was hydrocephalus from having had spinal meningitis 35 yrs ago. It has taken me close to 3 yrs to feel almost myself. Too much therapy can’t tell looking at me. Had to put my old boy Toby down in March. Life for me has been upside down for awhile. Thanks again. C

[@silkeklein2068]

Hey Carole, as feeling like we are somehow some sort of community: I whish you all the best. And as you, I miss horses and eventually perhaps riding a horse so much. Maybe there is a way to get there again for you (and me)... Gute Besserung aus Buxtehude/ Germany

[@carolemuenzer5490]

Silke Klein thank you working towards riding again

[@Equinegraphy]

Thank you, Warwick! You are amazing teacher, thank you for sharing the knowledge :-)

[@michaelc2509]

Excellent description. Clear and precise for this newbie. 😊

[@sidney2022-q6e]

Amazing trainer

[@nicolecourt7829]

La meilleure explication du demi-arrêt que j’ai jamais entendue ! Merci mR. shiller. 👍🏻

[@lclarke7280]

LOVE THIS!!!!!! I must go back and redo this vice what the typical dressage people have taught, hand and leg at same time.

[@WarwickSchiller]

Awesome.

[@rochellelabrie4217]

Thank you that was very well explained 😊

[@redstoneranger1404]

I never realy understood this technique until now! Thank you so much for this perfect lesson.

[@cynthiaspalding8027]

Excellent demo and explaination!

[@MBrusaZappellini]

That trot looks like it feels wonderful to ride! Bravo! Molto bello

[@vsop240]

Thanks for describing the Half Halt

[@grandcarriage1]

I’m impressed. That was beautifully explained and demonstrated.

[@acceptingWhatIS]

brilliant! i finally get it - well explained thank you.

[@MilyFellis]

When you realise every horse you ever ridden do not know the basic aids 😅

[@theskirtrider]

😂

[@gh0st_xr]

It's the sad thing about riding schools, they just use the horses for money with no interest in their actual training. I get lessons with a horse trainer because I learn how to train my horse to make everything easier for me to learn as well.

[@peterlovett5841]

Actually I noticed that in that last demonstration Bundy was going into collection.

[@user-cz3bf6cb4c]

I'm completely new to horses, can you explain what that means

[@teresawort9124]

Very nice thank you.

[@barbietroyer426]

When you close your fingers is ther still pressure in the horses mouth?

[@Nimeariel]

Not so much of a PULLING pressure but.... a "HOLD" pressure..... if that makes sense? You're basically taking up SLIGHT pressure and contact/removing all slack out of the reins, and then just HOLDING it. Imagine your hands are a wall and the horse is tied to that wall. The wall isn't PULLING on the horse's mouth, but if the horse were to go against that tie, there would be pressure in the sense of an immovable hold. The horse is then free to respond how it thinks you (or the wall) want it to (lowering head, bending at the poll, stopping, slowing, moving forward, moving backwards, etc) to relieve the pressure.

[@barbietroyer426]

@@Nimeariel yup that makes sense thanks

[@imwuz]

Can you demo/vid some of these on a more green horse? Bundy is so well trained that he just does it without us seeing the breakdown. I’m looking for a “yes answer” here 😊

[@WarwickSchiller]

On my website I have the footage of Bundy 6 years ago the first day he did this, is that green enough ?

[@imwuz]

WarwickSchiller Yes!! Thank you!

[@myhillslife27]

Good Info

[@sidilicious11]

Valuable info.

[@kidstuff44555]

If the horse doesn't understand both individual aids 100%, the half halt is very confusing

[@tenapus]

Now I get it. And I get why som many horses dont really respond.

[@Rhonda2580]

Where would “teaching the half halt” fit in the Order of Ridden Exercises? I am thinking under “Collection”, as part of your slight downward transition followed by upward transition?

[@WarwickSchiller]

If you look in the basic body control p[laylist, it is in the order I would teach it in

[@Rhonda2580]

@@WarwickSchiller Thank you. I looked in the written order that is in the intro note to the playlist, but didn’t see it listed there.

[@WarwickSchiller]

@@Rhonda2580 if you look at the videos in order, it is in the correct place.

[@barbaramaly8528]

A close up of his hands at work would help understand the concept of close fingers, add hand.

[@mdee860]

Yes, such clear instructions, esp. w/ weight distribution & shift. I have a question for you! In your classes, you often take a rider who has never ridden bridleless & then take the bridle off the horse. A pleasure to see when they both relax. I'd like to see you give yourself a similar challenge: take off your spurs. It's almost the end of 2020, they've got to go, for good. Other than that, you're almost perfect. 😁 You mentioned in a video (or two) to do something every day that scares you, so there's my challenge to you.

[@WarwickSchiller]

What an odd request?Why are you asking me to do that. theres plenty of videos of me riding without them.

[@mdee860]

Oh, I have watched a gazillion of your videos & I think you are one of, if not THE best trainer out there. I love & applaud your centered, meditative, psychology backed change over the past few years. Because you are THAT good, you don't need them. I believe that YOU may use them judiciously - but some watching you, won't. On the wrong boots they become cruel instruments. You don't need them. Evolution, growth. This was an honest answer to your question. I so admire what you do. I don't believe in spurs.

[@fjordzy9384]

@@mdee860 you think being a totally unknown person on the Internet is worthy of telling one of the most incredible horse trainers on the planet what to do?

[@mdee860]

@@fjordzy9384 - I do think Warwick Schiller is incredible. I spread his name far & wide in comments & hope you do, as well & urge others to watch his videos. I think that when he had his 'epiphany' in the Clinic & he then did a deep dive into both Human & Horse psychology. To do a 180° on his own training methods & approach was as amazing as it was so educational. It takes a BIG (& smart) person to do so & that's exactly what he did. I admire his work & think he is one of the best Trainers in the world today. I just don't believe spurs are good for any horse. I hope you can calm down now.

[@paulbignell6977]

Hi, May I ask why you wear spurs?

[@destinationaddictionsamsar7894]

It'd be for cues Many reasons why you'd use spurs instead of leg 1 no confusion 2 having multiple cues 3 to look effortless 4 to have a speeder response And so on. Spurs are 100% safe when used as cues alone saddly there are many people who use them as a correction device. Many things in the equine world are used for correction that it wasn't intended for. Halters is one of them.

[@introvertedequinesamsara6593]

Another is it's can be easier for the rider. To squeeze your horse can throw your riding off balance. Tapping can be seen by judges. If your horse needs frequent cues to keep em going that can quickly make the rider tired and more distracted. If the rider has a disability limiting motion in their knees or ankles. Etc. Some horses hate spurs as they're more sensitive, easily frustrated or not used to them but many horses benefit from them. As it makes communication clearer and if they've always been ridden in them it.

[@madelynpulley957]

How do you teach the horse to sit back?

[@WarwickSchiller]

Have you watched the 4 videos that go before this?

[@lazygardens]

Why? What is the half-halt used for? (truly curious here).

[@lucasa1849]

I’m not a dressage person (and also not at the point yet with my horse where I’m working on the half halt) but I think it’s about tempo control and developing collection.

[@ida2300]

@@lucasa1849 yeah thats right. Its to get the horse to step under it self more and lifting the front, and sometimes also to slow the gait. And like he said its iportant not to pull on the reins as it will make the horse tight and brace against your hands which is the opposite of what you want

[@audreyehrman7886]

Super to see the slow motion effect.. hoof beat timing is also very helpful for the horse.. sets them up for success. My very first half from a canter was totally successful because the horse understood the half halt verus full halt. No bracing in the the horse or rider, else it falls apart. Series of half halts on an inward spiral, then half halt, followed by immediate "sit" halt and timed just as the hind was leaving the ground so the horse could then reach under, sit and come to a full halt on the next stride. It was glorious.. no effort for either of us. The rail birds wanted to know how I did that because they said they couldn't see me do anything. I explained.. then they wanted to see it again.. I explained that it might take a bit to get the same relaxed spiral.. but we did it a second time just as nice as the first.. when the horse is properly readied.. it all falls into place. Seeing this video reminded me so much of those days.. I miss that.

[@Nimeariel]

@@lucasa1849 It doesn't have to be a dressage thing, either. It's important in almost all disciplines- including jumping and most Western disciplines. It's also to help the horse prepare for something that's to come. To kind of "wake it up" and let it know to pay closer attention to you. Also, to get its body in position for whatever IS about to come (a jump, a reining maneuver, a pole, a barrel, a pattern, a transition, anything). If you're doing transitions from a higher gait to a lower gait, guess what? You're already in the early steps of half-halts!! If your instructor or trainer tells you to "slow down!!! [but keep moving!!]" you're basically doing a half-halt. They might not CALL it a half-halt, but that's essentially what it is.

[@kathybertone8837]

@@Nimeariel Great response. You nailed it.

[@islandhorses..]

hello...😊 what does close your fingers mean? tq...

[@WarwickSchiller]

I ride with the fingers in my fingertips, so I close my hands , which shortens the reins about 3 inches

[@islandhorses..]

@@WarwickSchiller thank u so much for u videos!!!😍😍😍 i learn. a lot n ure knowledge is priceless....with lots of love from malaysia......🙋

[@calin7017]

So, basically, the "half halt" is a preparatory step for teching a horse stay soft and collected, isn't it?

[@sandyelliott3350]

Sure love that horse. 😣

[@francoismichel8684]

👍