Question: What are the aids for a good, square halt?
Answer submitted by Kerry Petty:
At the lower levels a balanced halt is what is called for. Focus on your horse being balanced coming off the aids of the leg and seat of the rider. As you approach your transition you want to half halt to obtain the attention of the horse as well as further put his weight underneath him. As you sit deeper with your core while keeping your leg on you close your hand so he quietly steps into a halt. If you are sitting straight and he is straight he will halt square. However, most riders drop a hip as they finish the halt and the horse obliges and drops a hip also. Or, the rider pulls back so the horse keeps his hind end out behind and drops his back. Then you have no energy for a transition out. You ride forward into the halt and keep the energy contained in the halt with your core. This coiled energy gives the halt strength also allowing for a flowing transition out into a balanced walk, trot or canter.