What is a half halt? Is it something that's only good for dressage riders, or is this good for gaited horses too?

Marilyn M.

A half halt is (in brief), when you use your seat, legs and hands to begin to ask for a halt, but then push the horse on while keeping a firm rein, before it actually loses momentum. Firm rein does not mean 'yank and pull.' Half halts help to round the horse up into a more collected frame, and keep its hind end engaged for greater impulsion. It prepares a horse to make a transition (from walk to gait, for example), and can enable the horse to balance well under the rider before going downhill. All in all, it's a very simple, effective riding technique to master, regardless of the type or breed of horse.

Happy trails!

-Brenda Imus