How to Stop From a Canter

Any horse should have sufficient training to stop on command. If you are riding a horse that is going too fast and you would like to stop it, you can ride a progressive transition that brings the horse down through trot and walk to halt. Alternatively, if you are competing in a dressage competition, you may be required to ride a canter to halt transition. This is called a non-progressive transition, as the horse goes straight from canter to halt without passing through any other pace. To perform this latter movement well, the horse must be balanced, fit and have a good level of basic schooling.

Things You'll Need

  • Helmet
  • Tack
  • Safe fenced riding area
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Instructions

  1. Stopping in an Emergency

    • 1

      Sit up and keep your weight back by pushing your shoulders back and your seat bones into the saddle. Half-halt by squeezing your outside rein firmly back and up. If the horse does not respond to this, repeat using both reins at once.

    • 2

      Turn onto a circle. The smaller the circle, the slower the horse will be forced to go. However, do not drag the horse's head round or try to pull it onto a very small circle, as you may cause it to lose its balance and slip. As soon as it begins to slow, continue to half-halt until the horse stops. If it does not slow down, continue on the circle.

    • 3

      Sit tall with your weight backward, and fix your inside hand into the base of the horse's neck. Using your outside hand, pull the rein firmly upward toward you. Release the pressure, and then pull again in rhythm with the horse's pace. As soon as the horse slows down, release the pressure and apply the half-halt until the horse stops.

    Performing a Canter to Halt Transition

    • 4

      Improve your horse's balance. Working it on the lunge, trotting up hills and performing turns on the forehand will help strength the muscles correctly.

    • 5

      Perform walk to halt and trot to walk transitions whenever you are riding. When riding a transition, the horse should accept the contact of the bit and make the transition calmly with its hindquarters well underneath it.

    • 6

      Ask your horse to canter. Establish a calm, balanced canter, and then ask for a transition to trot by squeezing both reins while simultaneously closing your legs round the horse's side. Sit up and keep your weight back and down in the saddle while asking for the transition. If the transition is a little ragged, put the horse back into canter and ask again. Repeat until you have a good, balanced transition.

    • 7

      Ask the horse to pick up a balanced canter. Ask for a transition to walk by squeezing both reins and closing your legs. Continue to ask until the horse walks. The first few times that you ask for a canter to walk transition, the horse will try to pass through trot in between. Keep asking until it learns to pass from canter to walk without taking a step of trot.

    • 8

      Put the horse into canter, and then ask for a direct canter to halt transition. The horse will take a little time to understand what is required, so continue to repeat the exercise until you get a smooth transition with no steps or trot or walk in between. The horse should stand still for a few moments before moving off in the pace specified by the rider.