How to ride half-pass
By Julie Hyslop
Riding advice
13 August 2008 09:30
Lateral work is a very valuable tool for suppling your horse and keeping him fit for his job, but it’s very easy to forget how and what to do. We guide you through the five most common lateral exercises
Half-pass is ridden across the arena on a diagonal but, unlike leg-yield, the horse bends around the rider’s inside leg, towards the direction of travel. Someone on the ground will see the horse’s outside legs pass in front and across the inside legs. The horse’s diagonal pairs of legs will seem to be parallel, and his forelegs should ‘reach’ and ‘sweep’ across.
Only ride a few steps at a time, then ride straight, to avoid common problems such as losing the bend, impulsion or collection. Half-pass encourages engagement of the hindlegs, heightens obedience and suppleness.
How to ride it
In walk first, ride down the centre or three-quarter line, keeping your eye on a marker you plan to half-pass towards.
Alternatively, you can introduce half-pass by riding a 10-metre circle and half-pass from the centre line back to the track.
It’s essential to maintain impulsion. Ride towards the marker, placing your horse’s forehand towards it while his body remains parallel to the fence. The quarters should not lead the movement.
Your inside leg remains on the girth and creates the impulsion and bend. The outside leg comes fractionally behind the girth to bring the quarters around the inside leg and asks the horse to step forward and under with his hindleg.
The outside rein controls the amount of bend and the inside rein guides the horse in the direction he’s moving. Your horse needs to look in the direction of movement and should flex slightly in that direction. However, don’t make the mistake of bending the neck too much, as this can restrict the forward movement.
What the trainer says
British Dressage trainer Julie Hyslop says
It’s easier to teach the half-pass by turning on to the centre line and moving on a diagonal towards the track. Turn your horse on to the diagonal line and then ask for travers to take the quarters over.
Your inside rein should suggest the bend and the inside leg maintains impulsion, while the outside rein will support the bend and outside leg will take the body over.
If you’re unsure about lateral work, have lessons with a suitable trainer to help you and your horse, then practise at home.
The quality of the walk, trot and canter is paramount, as is keeping the horse in front of your leg – these should not be lost when teaching lateral work.
