The Fruit of the Half-Halt. The half-halt is like a musical chord played in endless variations. The degree to which each of the components of the half-halt is applied will determine the horse’s response. The half-halt provides the horse with important information. It can be a request from the rider to increase the quality of the horse’s stride by bringing its back up to increase the activity of the hindquarters. In addition, the half-halt can alert the horse to transitions, either within the gait – shortening or lengthening the stride – or from one gait to another or to a full halt…. Read More