How to Stop Your Horse

Well, that’s obvious, pull on the reins! Not so fast! I suggest you find a few more refined aids.

In dressage, pushing the heels down is a commonly taught method for half-halting, or halting/stopping your horse. Instructors often say, “sink into your heels.” They also say, “sit deeper.” Actually, these things are useful when applied at the right time, in the right way. But, I’ve noticed that these instructions can be more harmful than helpful. When the rider pushes in the feet, in a dressage saddle (and stirrup length) she comes AWAY from the horse, into the back of the saddle, and most often tips her pelvis, so she’s a bit more on the back of her seat. This often chases the horse in front of her — the horse runs out from under the extra pressure on his back. Then the rider has to pull on the reins. So, how really did the rider stop? by pulling.

If you want to avoid pulling, get in sync with your horse by allowing him to go forward much more of the time, and celebrating the wind in your hair. This is hard for a fearful rider, but it pays off handsomely when the horse no longer wants to go fast because it’s no longer an evasion; now it’s your desire! He has a whole different attitude now. “OH” he things, “she wants me to go forward. Well, I think I’ll just slow down now.” Remember, horses are against pressure animals — as was so deftly explained by Monty Roberts in his book the Horse Whisperer. Learn to balance yourself with your core muscles. This alone helps your horse stay in balance so he doesn’t fall forward out of balance, and then run off.

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If you are in a jumping saddle, you get to put your heels down and use your calves, but you don’t get to sit down. This prevents the seatbones from chasing the horse forward and you still get your halt. When you have the heels down and calves on, lean forward a bit. Experiment, don’t just automatically lean back. Try leaning forward and see what happens, you might be surprised! Expecially with thoroughbreds, who hate pressure on their back, leaning forward often slows them down.

Learn the pully rein, and use it smoothly and invisibly in your regular work so you get convinced that your lower leg squeezing will push the horse into the bit and stop him. To do the pully rein, shorten the reins and plant one hand, driving the knuckles into the neck. Then, take the other hand a bit up and a bit back while squeezing with your calves hard. The harder you squeeze, the more prompt the stop. If he doesn’t stop, tap with the whip. Now, you’ll be thinking correctly: “ride the horse from back to front!”

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