How do you halt a naughty horse?

Answer 1

There are several questions raised by this question that you must answer first.

1. What age is the horse?

2. How much training has it undergone?

3. What standard is the rider?

1. & 2. are related in that if the horse is young and has not had much training, then it will require more training before it truly listens to the halt command. My advice is to seek the help of a professional in training your horse.

3. means that the horse may be responding to poor aids from the rider. When halting your aids must be very clear so as not to confuse the horse and sour him. Remember to sit up tall, with your weight deep in the saddle and half-halt to prepare him to slow down. Then use both reins to bring him to a square halt, with a little leg pressure encouraging him to continue to carry himself and not just fall flat when he stops moving.

If the horse continues to reject your aids, be harsher with the bit but DO NOT lean forwards and DO NOT apply extra leg pressure. Try turning in a small circle and asking for halt and if he keeps walking, keep turning in small circles on both reins. If none of this works try pushing him on again, as you do not want your horse to become stressed by over-working him, then repeat with clear aids. Remember when he walks to reward WITH YOUR VOICE (as leaning forwards to pat will shift your balance forward and encourage him to move on).