Describes how the School Halt helps develop collection by shifting the horse’s weight onto the hindlegs.
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Key Techniques for Teaching the School Halt
- Start with Backing Up – Ask for a backward shift but reward before any actual backward step.
- Interrupt a Rear Cue – Cue a rear but reward at the initial lean to encourage bending the hindlegs.
- Work at Liberty – No tack is needed; mimicry and timing replace the need for bridles or whips.
- Use Microshaping – Even wind, rain, and mud are used as environmental cues to refine the movement.
- Film and Review – Watch videos which illustrate different training stages and highlight asymmetries.
Challenges and Adjustments
• Horses may lean back without bending—rearing helps inspire correct posture.
• One side may differ in engagement—body language or positioning could cause it.
• Mirroring movement from one side to the other may require conscious correction by the human.
Key Insights
• The School Halt is not about stillness, but about strength and balance.
• Posture and reward timing shape the movement more than pressure or equipment.
• The early stages of other exercises (like rearing) can provide the physical basis for the School Halt.