Usually the gears of my mind work best when they are greased with some sort of horse activity, and today was no different. Scout, Jobi and Ceylon all inspired three different tracks that I figured I would share.
The Half Halt… sometimes I wonder if it really is that complicated and confusing. If all of the articles written describing it in vague half-terms and hidden meanings could even come close to the actuality of the half halt. Then I get snapped back to reality and laugh it off a bit. At times I have taken the half halt for granted, the simplicity of it anyways. But it is never too far in the closet. The half halt, what is it, what does it do, and why is it important? Those three things have become sufficient fuel to incite endless ramblings.
- What is it : posture correction or realignment – often referred to as re-balancing the horse. Think of it like correcting a sloucher in order to sit up or stand up straight.
- What does it do : obviously the benefits of posture aligned to carry and maneuver most efficiently and without undue stress reduces wear and tear, potential injuries, and allows the horse freedom to communicate without being hindered/distracted by their imbalance or physical pains from moving in poor balance. Think about a person who has low back pain because of poor posture; they will have a difficult time concentrating fully on interacting with others in a physical way because the physical pain/discomfort/hindrance will constantly be distracting them away.
- Why is it important : outside of what has already been mentioned… it is a natural process. When the horse is half halted and becomes balanced, their base of support becomes smaller – their hind legs move towards their front legs, and as a result also shorten the length of their stride. When a horse moves to transition upwards or downwards their hind legs will naturally shorten stride one or two steps before the gait change. Therefore, it can be surmised that by half halting the horse you are not only preparing in a similar fashion for the horse to naturally transition in their movement, but assisting in the horse’s muscular development in order to be prepared for transitions at any moment. Which is a large goal ultimately in dressage – that the horse is ready, able and willing to transition precisely and near-instantaneously upon request.
Outside of that, the next big question with the half halt is: how do you half halt the horse? The key to that answer is in a circle…
After having a splendid ride with Scout, I had more thoughts come to mind while playing with Jobi. In particular, that of horses who are heavy in the hand (pullers) and those who are dead to the leg. Jobi is hardly either of these, although if I had to give him such a label I guess I would say he could be both… if that makes any sense. If not, read it a few times more. :) What I’m getting at, is that any horse is capable of being heavy in the hand or dead to the leg, and any horse is capable of being light in the mouth or hyper-sensitive to the rider’s legs. I would almost be willing to say also, that any horse has been both of these extremes at some point, or will be. The key then, is finding the middle. But finding that is difficult and impossible without knowing both extremes to some mastership.
I cannot tell you how many times I have been nearly unable to walk after having to test ride a horse who is for sale for a student or client of mine. It is literally painful to experience the reality of how desensitized the overall horse population is to the rider’s legs. On the same note, I have also ridden too many horses to count who are either behind the bit, or who have become accustomed to forceful coercion in the mouth. See-sawing the reins is still a very popular means to ‘control’ the horse…
So how do we find this middle ground? In part, I believe through exploring both opposites. What I see with the majority of riders I work with, is that they have come to be afraid of one extreme or the other – particularly with the reins. They have either learned that touching the reins too much is bad, or that leaving too much slack in the reins will mean certain death. The first is often inspired by Natural Horsemanship mantras and methods, and the latter half in part reliance on the reins for balance combined with fear of losing control/having the horse run off or misbehave enough to dump the rider. As much as my students may hate me for it, I am a big proponent of encouraging exploring areas which you are not yet comfortable with in order to build skill and comfort.
Have I ever mentioned I hate the overuse of the phrase, “Ride Every Stride”? I’m officially saying it now! :) Do other rider’s mistake this for meaning giving a cue/signal/aid every moment, including with the legs (thumping the horse’s side every stride of the trot, etc)? I would like to gracefully propose a retraction or redefine said phrase. :) Really, it could more effectively read “Ride Every Stride With Awareness.” To be conscious of your actions, but not necessarily giving orders every moment.
Okay, now I’m getting lazy and ready to move to my last point. :) Yes, I know that I could stammer on for another couple of paragraphs and give away some great secrets, but instead I’m going to leave that part a bit vague and unfinished in order to mention…
That I had a wonderful evening with Ceylon. :) She has been sitting all winter without any work, I’ve started her back into lunge work over the last couple of weeks, and today I sat on her again after too many months. She is of course a sweetheart, but I always seem to reflect on the ease with which starting horses ought to come if the timing is right. If it is wrong, all sorts of horrors can result – bucking, rearing, bolting, balking, spinning, running backwards, etc. It made me remember too one of the first babies I started under saddle, Danny. I owned her several years back now, she found a home in Indianapolis with an older couple. But I remember the first time I rode her, I never ‘officially’ started her. I brought her up from the pasture, knew the moment was appropriate and sat up on her from a mounting block. Bareback with a halter and lead. She happily took to walking and even a bit of gaiting forward around the arena. Made me remember and miss her, and all the other babies I’ve started, and also appreciate the wonderful youngsters I still have to start.. :)