Also, if you want to really get clarity, understanding, and progress on your dressage journey, sign up to my FREE webinar on the Dressage Training Scale on March 13th. I’d love to see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar I’m also on FB and IG (you might already know all this but I'm being super thorough today!) facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website! www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ And you can also sign up here for weekly dressage tips sent to your inbox www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴
Thank you so much for this. In 50 years of riding you are the only instructor who has explained WHICH muscles to use in half halts. What is really interesting is that I have actually used the correct muscles doing half halts in walk and trot and the wrong ones in canter. My horse has trouble organising her big canter and my half halts were causing her to break into trot. I am so exited to ride with more awareness of what I am doing today. On Saturday I am competing in my first show in 8 years, first ever for my horse. I will be the oldest rider competing at 64. So exited but also a little apprehensive.
Sabine I'm so delighted to hear this helped you! And GOOD LUCK 🍀 at the show this weekend! So exciting to be bringing your horse for the first time! Also, I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Yes it was really helpfull! We have a 3,5 year old pony and he finds it really hard to go from the trot to the walk and from the walk to halt. And when I aks him that than he puts his neck forward and doesnt’t respond so I’m gonna try it out and see if it helps!!
Maybe explain how to differentiate the obliques from .. the “abs”.. obliques are part of the abs and if you contract one part they all engage.. also glute medius.. how to feel the separation between contracting medius vs Maximus.. Good tips but this needs more explanation .. maybe off the horse?
This is the best explanation of the half half that I have ever heard. I’ve ridden with many instructors and a few clinicians and no one has ever told me which muscles to use or how to apply them in rhythm with the gaits. Thank you so much!
I am an intermediate rider, hungry to learn, and you explain things, simple things, in so many ways....and the half halt has been a mystery until now....now I can go work on it! Thank you!
Doris that's so great to hear!! Thank you and well done on your journey! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Thank you so much for breaking the half halt down and describing what muscles to use and which muscles NOT to use. Perfect explanation on video and in written introduction.
Thank you so much! And thanks for watching and subscribing! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
An excellent explaination of the half halt and utilizing it....appling the the half halt during the canter when the horse's mane was up was the best hint I have ever heard. .thank you very much for making this distinction. You are a wonderful teacher..
This is the best explanation with a demonstration of half-halt I've seen in my years of following rider instruction videos. I like the use of a consequence aid which incorporates the reins and is followed by a rein-back and the portion about half-halting at the canter.
This was so helpful! Now it makes sense why my horse curls and becomes heavy on the forehand when I half-halt in the canter. Definitely going to be paying close attention to timing from now on
Awesome Susan! Perfect timing! Thanks for watching and subscribing! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Glad it was helpful! I have a full workshop if you are interested: amelianewcombdressage.samcart.com/products/all-about-half-halts-workshop/?RUclips&General
Hi Amelia, thank you for this video! It gives me a better idea of what to do in a half halt. Could you also demonstrate, and talk about a half halt in the posting trot?
As an ex gymnast I just realise how similar the half halt is to the entry phase of a tumbling pass. Used in the exact same way - a gathering of energy before the impulsion needed to execute the salta sufficiently. Very much timing and coordination. I’m gonna use this in my next lesson.
You're welcome Linda and thanks for watching. By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey back to the ring! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thank you for providing clarity on the half halt. I will be trying to feel these specific muscles next time I ride. I appreciate being given such concrete explanations. I always feel like I need the steps to be broken down into little digestible pieces and you never fail to provide something so understandable. Thank you!
Thank you so much Kerry! And thanks for watching! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Fabulous explanation of how to half half correctly using the right muscles. I'm particularly impressed with the half halt at canter when the mane is up - a wonderful visual aid. 👏👏👏👏
When I ride what I believe to be a half halt, how do I know it had an effect on my horse? How do I know it “went through”. Do I feel the effects cumulatively? For example, one half halt before, let’s say a flying change, has no effect on the horse that I can feel. So I feel like I ride the “half halts” mechanically because I’m supposed to. A series of half halts ridden mindfully improves the rhythm and tempo, the contact/connection and lifts the horse’s back. He gives me a place to sit and his movement is easy to follow but this is done over 10 minutes or so and can’t be duplicated with one or a series of half halts before, for example, a corner or a transition or a half pass. You ride the half halt, assuming you have enough energy to do it but it has either no effect or makes the horse slow down and lose energy. I’ve been riding for 63 years and 35 of them in amateur dressage to PSG. I understand that I’m asking a question that has no simple answer but I think it’s important to getting at the purpose of dressage and the essential elements that get lost in the confusion of aids needed at the upper levels. The experience is also transient. Some days you wonder why you thought it was so hard and some days you feel like you’ve never sat on a horse, so when I watch a demonstration for half halts, I always come back to this dilemma. Thankfully I have a good trainer who rides my horse and rescues him from my good intentions. 😊
Hey Shirley, Half-halts are such a huge topic (as I know you know!), I guess that simple answer is: You feel a response in the way of going. I have a half-halt workshop on sale right now that you might want to check out (or anyone else reading this might be interested in): dressage-training-progress.teachable.com/p/half-halt?coupon_code=SPOOKY2&product_id=3738985
I have watched your video several times, Amelia. Every time I watch this I have different points I absorb. Today. A half half is gathering energy. That takes a lot of noise out of this communication. With my horses. Add timing when the horse can receive this energy, they can balance better. Wow, thank you. Need to work on the glut mead and transverant.
I’m a jumper getting into dressage after not riding much since having my 3 boys and this was so helpful! My last lesson my half halt looked exactly like the abs and glute max example, thank you for explaining this, I have some work to do to feel those other muscles and half halt properly!
Excellent explanation, superb actually. I’ve been wondering why it has been so difficult to halt - or half-halt - as I’ve obviously been doing it wrong all along by squeezing my six-pack-stomach muscles (not that I actually HAVE a six-pack as such) and also squeezing my butt going all rigid. And then of course becoming unstable in the saddle and not being able to halt the horse since everything I’ve done hasn’t been right. Thank you for this great explanation - I REALLY appreciated it!! ❤
Wonderful demo & explanation Amelia, thankyou. I've watched loads of your videos now, & I love your teaching style. You provide such clarity in your explanations & always work towards decoding the fundamentals of effective dressage, & I love that. The quality of your videos is high too, making your content easier to watch & learn from - one can actually see & hear you!! I appreciate too, that you don't over-simplify or trivialize the complexity of dressage! It's frustrating when people talk about the components of dressage as being so simple, when it's really not at all!! There is so much involved, so much to coordinate & so many aspects to master! You're a lovely rider to watch & equally knowledgeable! I really appreciate your videos, thankyou again for sharing! 🐎🐴🙏
Thank you for your lovely words! I am so glad you're enjoying the content. Please consider subscribing on youtube. or writing me a google review. Both those things really help me out! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review
@Amelia Newcomb there is the question regarding glute med. You have said you are using these muscles - does it mean, that you open your hips rather than close them? In other words - you are loosing/relaxing your adductors (the inside part of your upper leg, I mean - thigh), aren't you? Or maybe only you feel your glute is working, as a streching, while in fact adductors are working? I would be appreciate if you could answer my question. PS. I love your instructions!:)
I appreciate your details in the specific muscles and the different gaits. So much fine tuning and so invisible to the naked eye, but the horse feels and sees it all! Thank you for your excellent teaching.
Thanks for watching Irina, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! So glad you liked this video, the half halt can be so subjective! ///// I'm not sure if you know this but, I've been lucky enough to qualify BOTH of my horses (Harvey and Kensington) to compete in the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, if you are willing and able, even the tiniest donation to my GoFundMe would make a massive difference. You can read more and, (but only if you'd like to and have the capacity!) donate below! gofund.me/2989323b Also, you can sign up to get my weekly dressage tips sent to your email here! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Finally, if you love my content, I’d LOVE it if you left me a review on google! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review Thanks so much for being on my page! I appreciate it so much! 😀
Thank you, excellent and clear. I see I’ve been using wrong muscles, so need to adopt my half halt. I felt indeed as you said ‘disconnected a bit for a while from the horse and saddle’, but now realized why. This is so good and so important I watched this video a few times in a raw. Need to practice it and impatiently waiting for my tomorrow training.
HI Amelia, This video and explanation were excellent -- and something that has never been explained to me so clearly -- by any trainer. I can't wait to try this tomorrow!
Thanks AnnMarie! SO glad you found it helpful! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Thanks Pamela! I'm glad it's helping you! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Hi Christine! Thank you so much for watching! Have a search round the youtube channel as I've got a video for almost any problem and I upload a new one every Wednesday! Also, if you want to further your dressage education, I'm having a sale until Saturday on my masterclass on the Dressage Training Scale if you'd like to sign up the link is here! Would love to see you on the course and it will help your journey so much ! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalemasterclass/?fbclid=IwAR0VbN0HaZqzSqu5nvCJfeITvoiovRkYxqtPFOrtUKrli3Y1YvRI0R_8_rQ
Thank you so much ! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
This was very helpul in terms of a horse not responding correctly. I have no problems with the half halt on my experienced campaigner, but my young horse blows me off. When the youngster ignores me, I wind up questioning, if the problem is him or me. I like your suggested “punishment” for him ignoring my request. Thanks.
So glad this helped! I am doing a free bootcamp soon and would love to have you join. Here's the info: amelianewcombdressage.com/free-online-riding-bootcamp/?RUclips&Strides+2025
Thank you, Amelia....you are always so clear and precise in your commentary! After listening to you, half halts suddenly became clear. I nodded in agreement when you said that half halts are a mysterious thing....so true....but you´ve helped clarify them for me. I´m looking forward to putting into practice what I´ve learned today.
Thanks for watching Laura, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! I honestly love getting these success stories and lightbulb moments in the comments! PLeae feel free to share again :) ///// I'm not sure if you know this but, I've been lucky enough to qualify BOTH of my horses (Harvey and Kensington) to compete in the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, if you are willing and able, even the tiniest donation to my GoFundMe would make a massive difference. You can read more and, (but only if you'd like to and have the capacity!) donate below! gofund.me/2989323b Also, you can sign up to get my weekly dressage tips sent to your email here! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Finally, if you love my content, I’d LOVE it if you left me a review on google! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review Thanks so much for being on my page! I appreciate it so much! 😀
Excellent explanation. Can't wait to try. It would be helpful if you and Stephanie would give a frontal demonstration while seated at the halt of what it looks like when you use the correct muscles and what it looks like when you use your six pack abs. Sometimes it's helpful to get the concept (similar to teaching the horse movements from the ground) when seated in position and not having to deal with the horse's motion. . . ????
thank you! love how you teach. WOuld love to see a diagram of the muscles that I am to use. Love the way you also tell how to correct horse when the horse doesn't lesion to half halt. I also like the way you explace how to start training young horse as I saw in you flying change video. I am following and learning. Thank you
Thank you for your fabulous way of explaining and demonstrating riding technique! As mentioned below, no instructor has ever mention how to ride a half halt with your body and specifically, which muscles to use.
Thanks Marianne! I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Also, if you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your email inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ (If you’re already familiar with all this and have received this before, apology for the unnecessary message, I’m being super thorough today!) I’m also on FB and IG facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website! www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day!
Also, if you want to really get clarity, understanding, and progress on your dressage journey, sign up to my FREE webinar on the Dressage Training Scale this Sunday March 13th. I’d love to see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar I’m also on FB and IG (you might already know all this but I'm being super thorough today!) facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website! www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ And you can also sign up here for weekly dressage tips sent to your inbox www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴
Hi Amelia, Clearly explained, and I am not so experid that I can make a half halt with my core. But when I want to Canter, I first make a halfhalt and than horse is ready and allert to made the canter transition. Thank you, from Holland 🇳🇱🇳🇱
Thank you so much! I’m riding a horse that doesn’t understand bit connection, he has a lot of whoa and a lot of go. He’s very sensitive to my leg and seat, but the only time he responds to half halts are with the reins.
Thanks Deirdre! By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thanks Lynne, so many abs to think about! But it's the stabilizers that are key for the half halt! Also, I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Thank you! Very helpful video. And thank you so much for your all videos in general and your channel, as they give us very useful insights into how to be better riders, and as a result really enjoy what we truly love on a deeper level.
Thank you for telling about mane up in canter; half halt - that is so clear to me & using muscles on the side. Your demo of bad 🤦🏻 is me, I have always used my six pack & glute max I was trying to tell when you were half halt on trot. Are you starting when front outside is in the air? Or what is the trick
Do you do the halt by doing multiple half halt? How do you then do a precise halt like en dressage down the middle line? And how does the horse know when to stay in canter or do a downward transition to trot when you are doing the half halts? Thanks for very very wonderful videos! Regards
YOu're very welcome Mair and thanks for always watching! By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thank you Elisabeth! By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will hopefully find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thank you Ale! So glad you're finding it helpful and thanks for watching! By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Never in 50 years has any trainer explained this so clearly. Thank you
Thank you so much Margriet!And thanks so much for watching and subscribing!
Also, if you want to really get clarity, understanding, and progress on your dressage journey, sign up to my FREE webinar on the Dressage Training Scale on March 13th. I’d love to see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
I’m also on FB and IG (you might already know all this but I'm being super thorough today!)
facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/
Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered!
facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/
And finally, there’s my website!
www.amelianewcombdressage.com/
And you can also sign up here for weekly dressage tips sent to your inbox
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/
Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴
Couldn't agree more. What a Gem of a post!
she's amazing...
Thank you so much for this. In 50 years of riding you are the only instructor who has explained WHICH muscles to use in half halts.
What is really interesting is that I have actually used the correct muscles doing half halts in walk and trot and the wrong ones in canter.
My horse has trouble organising her big canter and my half halts were causing her to break into trot.
I am so exited to ride with more awareness of what I am doing today.
On Saturday I am competing in my first show in 8 years, first ever for my horse. I will be the oldest rider competing at 64. So exited but also a little apprehensive.
Sabine I'm so delighted to hear this helped you! And GOOD LUCK 🍀 at the show this weekend! So exciting to be bringing your horse for the first time!
Also, I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Was this video helpful? I sure hope so!!
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Yes it was really helpfull! We have a 3,5 year old pony and he finds it really hard to go from the trot to the walk and from the walk to halt. And when I aks him that than he puts his neck forward and doesnt’t respond so I’m gonna try it out and see if it helps!!
Maybe explain how to differentiate the obliques from .. the “abs”.. obliques are part of the abs and if you contract one part they all engage.. also glute medius.. how to feel the separation between contracting medius vs Maximus.. Good tips but this needs more explanation .. maybe off the horse?
Once again, your explanations are doable and clear. Thank you, Amelia, for your generosity in sharing your years of experience with us.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Q
Generosity is exactly the word I think of too.
I will look forward to trying his tomorrow. Thankyou Amelia.
I have watched this multiple times and feel I should watch it every week!
Haha I won’t stop you if you want to!
This is the best explanation of the half half that I have ever heard. I’ve ridden with many instructors and a few clinicians and no one has ever told me which muscles to use or how to apply them in rhythm with the gaits. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
The slow-motion video, was particularly good for people to understand the timing
Thank you Sarah!
What an outstanding explanation-and I say this even after having seen the video before. It pays to rewatch it. Thank you.
Did not even know what a "half halt" was until now. THANK YOU!!
Glad I could help! Please subscribe if you like the videos- it helps me a lot and you never miss a notification.
Super good video and explanation! Just like others, never in 5 decades has any trainer explained this so clearly. Thank you
Yay!! 🦄❤️🦄❤️
I am an intermediate rider, hungry to learn, and you explain things, simple things, in so many ways....and the half halt has been a mystery until now....now I can go work on it! Thank you!
Doris that's so great to hear!! Thank you and well done on your journey!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Love using the mane coming up to know timing on half half.
It is a very handy reference point!
Thank you so much for breaking the half halt down and describing what muscles to use and which muscles NOT to use. Perfect explanation on video and in written introduction.
Thank you so much! And thanks for watching and subscribing!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
No instructor should explain this topic ever again after this video. You are a genius Amelia, we are all grateful.❤
So glad it was helpful!
An excellent explaination of the half halt and utilizing it....appling the the half halt during the canter when the horse's mane was up was the best hint I have ever heard.
.thank you very much for making this distinction. You are a wonderful teacher..
You're very welcome!
This is the best description I have ever heard! 👏
This is the best explanation with a demonstration of half-halt I've seen in my years of following rider instruction videos.
I like the use of a consequence aid which incorporates the reins and is followed by a rein-back and the portion about half-halting at the canter.
So glad you liked it! Please consider subscribing for more great videos like these. I release one each wed.
@@AmeliaNewcombDressageI agree with all the positive feedbacks,however if the mane is braided…..what then 🙏🙏🤗
This was so helpful! Now it makes sense why my horse curls and becomes heavy on the forehand when I half-halt in the canter. Definitely going to be paying close attention to timing from now on
Thank you!! How come trainers don't tell you this, you're amazing 😍
Often times they don't have time to go through all the theory in a lecture. Be sure to subscribe to get more videos like this one!
Exactly what I'd planned to do today--am trying to get my guest horse to quit speeding up in the trot. Now I can do my half halts correctly!
Awesome Susan! Perfect timing! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Really interesting about half halting on the upbeat I the canter. Super helpful!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the clear explanation! Never have I heard it explained so well. ❤
Glad it was helpful! I have a full workshop if you are interested: amelianewcombdressage.samcart.com/products/all-about-half-halts-workshop/?RUclips&General
Hi Amelia, thank you for this video! It gives me a better idea of what to do in a half halt. Could you also demonstrate, and talk about a half halt in the posting trot?
Incredible description of the half halt. I am going to need to watch this MANY times to absorb all of its value -- THANK YOU!
Glad it was helpful!
So happy I watched this. I realize that I’m the bicep, six pack an person you’re speaking of! I can’t wait to try this way and correct myself!!
yay! Be sure to let me know how it goes!
As an ex gymnast I just realise how similar the half halt is to the entry phase of a tumbling pass. Used in the exact same way - a gathering of energy before the impulsion needed to execute the salta sufficiently. Very much timing and coordination. I’m gonna use this in my next lesson.
this video is like being at a clinic . -- thank you for SO MUCH detail and demonstration.
You're welcome Linda and thanks for watching.
By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey back to the ring! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thank you for providing clarity on the half halt. I will be trying to feel these specific muscles next time I ride. I appreciate being given such concrete explanations. I always feel like I need the steps to be broken down into little digestible pieces and you never fail to provide something so understandable. Thank you!
Thank you so much Kerry! And thanks for watching!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Thank you, we will be away for the long weekend, but hope to catch it on a replay! Happy Labor Day!
Fabulous explanation of how to half half correctly using the right muscles. I'm particularly impressed with the half halt at canter when the mane is up - a wonderful visual aid. 👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much for detailing the correct muscle groups to use!
Thanks Jill! It's so easy to get wrong, but thankfully easy to correct! Happy riding!
When I ride what I believe to be a half halt, how do I know it had an effect on my horse? How do I know it “went through”. Do I feel the effects cumulatively? For example, one half halt before, let’s say a flying change, has no effect on the horse that I can feel. So I feel like I ride the “half halts” mechanically because I’m supposed to. A series of half halts ridden mindfully improves the rhythm and tempo, the contact/connection and lifts the horse’s back. He gives me a place to sit and his movement is easy to follow but this is done over 10 minutes or so and can’t be duplicated with one or a series of half halts before, for example, a corner or a transition or a half pass. You ride the half halt, assuming you have enough energy to do it but it has either no effect or makes the horse slow down and lose energy. I’ve been riding for 63 years and 35 of them in amateur dressage to PSG. I understand that I’m asking a question that has no simple answer but I think it’s important to getting at the purpose of dressage and the essential elements that get lost in the confusion of aids needed at the upper levels. The experience is also transient. Some days you wonder why you thought it was so hard and some days you feel like you’ve never sat on a horse, so when I watch a demonstration for half halts, I always come back to this dilemma. Thankfully I have a good trainer who rides my horse and rescues him from my good intentions. 😊
Hey Shirley, Half-halts are such a huge topic (as I know you know!), I guess that simple answer is: You feel a response in the way of going. I have a half-halt workshop on sale right now that you might want to check out (or anyone else reading this might be interested in): dressage-training-progress.teachable.com/p/half-halt?coupon_code=SPOOKY2&product_id=3738985
You are a really good trainer and I love you’re horse so much.
I have watched your video several times, Amelia. Every time I watch this I have different points I absorb. Today. A half half is gathering energy. That takes a lot of noise out of this communication. With my horses. Add timing when the horse can receive this energy, they can balance better. Wow, thank you. Need to work on the glut mead and transverant.
You are so welcome! Glad you've enjoyed it so much.
I’m a jumper getting into dressage after not riding much since having my 3 boys and this was so helpful! My last lesson my half halt looked exactly like the abs and glute max example, thank you for explaining this, I have some work to do to feel those other muscles and half halt properly!
Very helpful for downward transitions!
Such a great explanation and demonstration! Very concise. Thank you! 👍🏻
So glad you liked it
Excellent explanation, superb actually. I’ve been wondering why it has been so difficult to halt - or half-halt - as I’ve obviously been doing it wrong all along by squeezing my six-pack-stomach muscles (not that I actually HAVE a six-pack as such) and also squeezing my butt going all rigid. And then of course becoming unstable in the saddle and not being able to halt the horse since everything I’ve done hasn’t been right. Thank you for this great explanation - I REALLY appreciated it!! ❤
Wonderful demo & explanation Amelia, thankyou. I've watched loads of your videos now, & I love your teaching style. You provide such clarity in your explanations & always work towards decoding the fundamentals of effective dressage, & I love that. The quality of your videos is high too, making your content easier to watch & learn from - one can actually see & hear you!! I appreciate too, that you don't over-simplify or trivialize the complexity of dressage! It's frustrating when people talk about the components of dressage as being so simple, when it's really not at all!! There is so much involved, so much to coordinate & so many aspects to master! You're a lovely rider to watch & equally knowledgeable! I really appreciate your videos, thankyou again for sharing! 🐎🐴🙏
Thank you for your lovely words! I am so glad you're enjoying the content. Please consider subscribing on youtube. or writing me a google review. Both those things really help me out! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I'll do that Amelia! I've come yo be a true fan! 👍😘🐎🙏
Need much much trying until I can do it correctly, Thank you Amelia for this video💗
Big help! Using muscle training is key!
Thank you so much for this video!!! It is so concise and understandable. My horse appreciates you more than you will ever know. Debi
Thanks so much Debi, I'm so glad the videos are helping, and I appreciate YOU as much as you and your horse appreciate me. 😊 Happy Riding!
Thanks Amelia!! I shared it as a post for our "Education Station," in Adult English Equestrian Forum on Facebook! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing! It helps me out a lot!
@Amelia Newcomb there is the question regarding glute med. You have said you are using these muscles - does it mean, that you open your hips rather than close them? In other words - you are loosing/relaxing your adductors (the inside part of your upper leg, I mean - thigh), aren't you? Or maybe only you feel your glute is working, as a streching, while in fact adductors are working?
I would be appreciate if you could answer my question.
PS. I love your instructions!:)
Better understanding when you explain the muscles. Thanks
Good explanation of the timing and the muscles involved. Always tempting to do this hands first!
I appreciate your details in the specific muscles and the different gaits. So much fine tuning and so invisible to the naked eye, but the horse feels and sees it all! Thank you for your excellent teaching.
Thanks for the kind words!
This subject is such a mystery! Thank you so much for detailed explanation!
Thanks for watching Irina, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! So glad you liked this video, the half halt can be so subjective!
/////
I'm not sure if you know this but, I've been lucky enough to qualify BOTH of my horses (Harvey and Kensington) to compete in the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, if you are willing and able, even the tiniest donation to my GoFundMe would make a massive difference. You can read more and, (but only if you'd like to and have the capacity!) donate below!
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Thank you so much. I always respect you and your lesson is the best . I love to watch you ride on the horse.
Thanks Amelia, 😊I will do it today, I already save the video for practicing 🎉
Thank you, excellent and clear. I see I’ve been using wrong muscles, so need to adopt my half halt. I felt indeed as you said ‘disconnected a bit for a while from the horse and saddle’, but now realized why. This is so good and so important I watched this video a few times in a raw. Need to practice it and impatiently waiting for my tomorrow training.
HI Amelia,
This video and explanation were excellent -- and something that has never been explained to me so clearly -- by any trainer. I can't wait to try this tomorrow!
Wow the best explanation of a half halt I've heard yet. Extremely helpful!!!!
Thanks AnnMarie! SO glad you found it helpful!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Brilliant! Thank you. So helpful. A
So glad!
You make it look very easy, but explain so well. I'm just keeping on trying 😃. Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks Pamela! I'm glad it's helping you!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Absolutely fantastic and makes complete sense 👏
This is super!
I had never heard the half halt explained so well!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really informative and clear, simple instructions. Will be watching the mane tomorrow.
Hi Christine! Thank you so much for watching! Have a search round the youtube channel as I've got a video for almost any problem and I upload a new one every Wednesday!
Also, if you want to further your dressage education, I'm having a sale until Saturday on my masterclass on the Dressage Training Scale if you'd like to sign up the link is here! Would love to see you on the course and it will help your journey so much !
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalemasterclass/?fbclid=IwAR0VbN0HaZqzSqu5nvCJfeITvoiovRkYxqtPFOrtUKrli3Y1YvRI0R_8_rQ
Best explanation I’ve ever heard. Thank you.
Thank you so much !
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
This is so so good, my horse thanks you as well!
This was very helpul in terms of a horse not responding correctly. I have no problems with the half halt on my experienced campaigner, but my young horse blows me off. When the youngster ignores me, I wind up questioning, if the problem is him or me. I like your suggested “punishment” for him ignoring my request. Thanks.
So glad this helped! I am doing a free bootcamp soon and would love to have you join. Here's the info: amelianewcombdressage.com/free-online-riding-bootcamp/?RUclips&Strides+2025
Such a good way to explain it. It’s something I can feel but always looking for better ways to explain to students.
Glad it helped!
Thank you, Amelia....you are always so clear and precise in your commentary! After listening to you, half halts suddenly became clear. I nodded in agreement when you said that half halts are a mysterious thing....so true....but you´ve helped clarify them for me. I´m looking forward to putting into practice what I´ve learned today.
That makes me so happy to hear, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching Laura, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! I honestly love getting these success stories and lightbulb moments in the comments! PLeae feel free to share again :)
/////
I'm not sure if you know this but, I've been lucky enough to qualify BOTH of my horses (Harvey and Kensington) to compete in the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, if you are willing and able, even the tiniest donation to my GoFundMe would make a massive difference. You can read more and, (but only if you'd like to and have the capacity!) donate below!
gofund.me/2989323b
Also, you can sign up to get my weekly dressage tips sent to your email here!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/
Finally, if you love my content, I’d LOVE it if you left me a review on google!
g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review
Thanks so much for being on my page! I appreciate it so much! 😀
Wow! What an excellent explanation and demonstration to show when it’s right and what happens if it’s wrong! Timing is so important. ❤
Glad it was helpful!
❤thank you for the clear explanation, excellent videos! I have only been riding for over a year and I am trying to put everything into practice x
Excellent explanation. Can't wait to try. It would be helpful if you and Stephanie would give a frontal demonstration while seated at the halt of what it looks like when you use the correct muscles and what it looks like when you use your six pack abs. Sometimes it's helpful to get the concept (similar to teaching the horse movements from the ground) when seated in position and not having to deal with the horse's motion. . . ????
Great suggestion!
Excellent refresher and reminder. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
thank you! love how you teach. WOuld love to see a diagram of the muscles that I am to use. Love the way you also tell how to correct horse when the horse doesn't lesion to half halt. I also like the way you explace how to start training young horse as I saw in you flying change video. I am following and learning. Thank you
Great suggestion!
Thank you for your fabulous way of explaining and demonstrating riding technique! As mentioned below, no instructor has ever mention how to ride a half halt with your body and specifically, which muscles to use.
You're very welcome! Please consider subscribing for notification of my weekly videos. It really helps me out!
This is so helpful! I am working on this and this explains it so clearly. Thank you.
I love this explanation and I love your videos
Love this! I am trying to balance the canter so this will help. Thank you for the break down of information
Thanks Marianne!
I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
Thanks, Amelia. This was very helpful because I am currently working on improving my posture while cantering.
Thanks for watching Mary, and so glad this video helped you!
Also, if you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your email inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list
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(If you’re already familiar with all this and have received this before, apology for the unnecessary message, I’m being super thorough today!)
I’m also on FB and IG
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Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day!
Really helpful and so clear! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks!
Thank YOU very much! I am so glad you liked it!
Great. Really helped.
Thanks Hana! Glad it helped!
Also, if you want to really get clarity, understanding, and progress on your dressage journey, sign up to my FREE webinar on the Dressage Training Scale this Sunday March 13th. I’d love to see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
I’m also on FB and IG (you might already know all this but I'm being super thorough today!)
facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/
Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered!
facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/
And finally, there’s my website!
www.amelianewcombdressage.com/
And you can also sign up here for weekly dressage tips sent to your inbox
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/
Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴
very helpful! Been struggling with walk canter walk; I will try it tomorrow!
Great video! Now I'm going to have to think about all this today while riding! 😅
Thank you! And thanks for watching! I hope it helps!
Great video and I love the canter mane to catch the half halt and to use the glute mead! Thanks so much; working on this tomorrow.
Great practical tips, easy to understand and put into practise.
Hi Amelia,
Clearly explained, and I am not so experid that I can make a half halt with my core. But when I want to Canter, I first make a halfhalt and than horse is ready and allert to made the canter transition. Thank you, from Holland 🇳🇱🇳🇱
i love your videos your instuctions are so clear thenk you
You are welcome!
Thank you so much! I’m riding a horse that doesn’t understand bit connection, he has a lot of whoa and a lot of go. He’s very sensitive to my leg and seat, but the only time he responds to half halts are with the reins.
Thanks Deirdre!
By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
I love your explanations!
Super explanation!
Super helpful. Never knew which muscles. I just tightened my abs.
Thanks Lynne, so many abs to think about! But it's the stabilizers that are key for the half halt!
Also, I'm giving a free Dressage Training Scale Webinar on Sunday 12th! I'd love you to join! You can sign up at the link below. Hopefully see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar/
That helped me a lot😊 thanks
I'm so glad! Please consider subscribing as it helps me out a lot!
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage first thing I did, after finishing the vid😬
Thank you! Very helpful video. And thank you so much for your all videos in general and your channel, as they give us very useful insights into how to be better riders, and as a result really enjoy what we truly love on a deeper level.
You're very welcome!
Thank you for telling about mane up in canter; half halt - that is so clear to me & using muscles on the side. Your demo of bad 🤦🏻 is me, I have always used my six pack & glute max
I was trying to tell when you were half halt on trot. Are you starting when front outside is in the air? Or what is the trick
Have a look at this video for another explanation of the half halt amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/the-half-halt-explained/
Do you do the halt by doing multiple half halt?
How do you then do a precise halt like en dressage down the middle line?
And how does the horse know when to stay in canter or do a downward transition to trot when you are doing the half halts?
Thanks for very very wonderful videos!
Regards
Could you please do a video about this
Great video. Very helpful
Love your teaching, thank you!
You are so welcome!
Thank you
YOu're very welcome Mair and thanks for always watching!
By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thank you, Amelia! Verey helpful indeed. Tks also for the sharing!
You're welcome Carlos! Thanks for watching, and Happy Riding!
This video changed everything for me! Thank you!
love watching you!
So helpful. Thanks Amelia
You're so welcome!
This is super helpful thank you!!!
Thank you Elisabeth!
By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will hopefully find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
So good!! Thank you !!!!!
Glad you like it!
You are amazing, Thank you so much
Thank you Ale! So glad you're finding it helpful and thanks for watching!
By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar