THE HALF-HALT (3) Introducing The Half-Halt In The Canter

In this video, Jamaica and I will demonstrate how you and your horse can get started with your first half-halting experiences in the canter.
What is a half-halt? You will find many variations on the definition of this subject because it is described and taught differently depending on the riding methodology you’re following. To me, this is one of the more straightforward, general ways to look at the half-halt: “The half-halt is a specific riding aid given by an equestrian to his horse, in which the driving aids and restraining aids are applied in quick succession. It is sometimes thought of as an ‘almost halt,’ asking the horse to prepare to halt in balance, before pushing it onward to continue in its gait." (Wikipedia)
Why does a half-halt matter? As with all practices in Dressage, familiarizing yourself and your horse with the many variations of the half-halt will enable you to fine-tune your communications under saddle and help your horse to develop the strength and balance it takes to be in increasing levels of self-carriage.
To help you get started with this concept in the canter I will go over the following questions:
1. What do the three main components of a half-halt feel like in the canter?
2. How can I set my horse up to receive the half-halts in the canter with ease?
3. How do I know that my horse understands and responds willingly to my half-halting aids in the canter?
Watch and take your time as you are experimenting with the sequence of the individual half-halting movements.
Also, have a look at the previous video in this series:
THE HALF-HALT ( 1 ) Introducing The Half-Halt In The Walk - • THE HALF-HALT (1) Intr...
THE HALF-HALT ( 2 ) Introducing The Half-Halt In The Posting Trot - • THE HALF-HALT (2) Intr...
Additionally, you may also find the videos in my ‘Riding On The Bit / Yielding to Aids’ playlist helpful: • Riding On The Bit / Yi...
Happy riding! :)
PS: Get your free Arena Pattern Guide at www.katjaelk.c....
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Horse: Jamaica: 22 year-old mare, Oldenburg/paint. Background: Formerly trained and ridden in three-day-eventing; Health: Stiffness in right stifle and hocks. Temperament: (0 being extremely calm/laid-back, 10 being highly excitable/hot): 7. Personality: Alpha mare; herd-bound, highly excitable and extremely attached to her companion horse; Training: Careful training under saddle as well as on the ground (longlining) to help Jamaica with her excitable reactivity and her tendency to try to run through the rider’s aids. Sweet spot: Jamaica loves to be in charge and take over, so it takes time to steward her into a relaxed, joyful engagement. Jamaica has three lovely gaits which, despite some of her age-related issues, are being revived and restored beautifully.
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Note: Viewers should consult a professional before adopting any of the training techniques shown in this video. Any activity you do with your horse is at your own risk and may produce varied results.
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California-based Dressage trainer, instructor, clinician and life coach, Katja Elk, provides gentle training solutions for riders and horses of all backgrounds.
“Over the course of my life, I have been fortunate enough to learn from many amazing human and equine teachers. In my videos, I share tips and pointers with people interested in expanding their knowledge about foundational Dressage and different types of groundwork. You will see me work with my clients’ horses of various breeds, levels and backgrounds, highlighting parts of the journey we call work/play-in-progress with our equine partners. None of the shown clips are flawless. In fact, they all show the many imperfections an active, aging rider faces who entered the professional field as an instructor/trainer later in life and who keeps on striving to show that Dressage can be an activity we all can enjoy with our horses at most stages of our lives and at varying levels of expertise. The videos are honest, heartfelt attempts to show you ways to nurture a kind, joyful and productive relationship with your horses as you are exploring and expanding on the many facets of Dressage and groundwork.”
Katja applies the concept of a friendly, trust-based, two-way communication system to riding Dressage, work-in-hand as well as groundwork such as halter-work, longeing/lungeing and longlining.
Additionally, Katja, a Martha Beck certified master life coach, works with people who are looking for relief from anxiety, depression and/or other challenges in their lives.
www.katjaelk.com
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Music by Ivymusic from Pixabay

[@reginaangele1083]

Thank you Katja for this video.....I lovd the way you explain step by step what I'll have to feel and it's so helpfull .... I'm improuving my riding and the collaboration/understanding with my horse since I watch your videos.... thanks again 👍👍

[@katjaelk]

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Regina! It means the world to me that you find my videos helpful. :)

[@giovannalepore5946]

Thank you Katja -good points !

[@katjaelk]

Thank you so much, Giovanna! :)