01/25/2026
Training Tip Tuesday. We have finally arrived at the Half Pass. All of the exercises up to this point have revolved around moving the horse off the outside leg, specifically through the haunches in. In this exercise, we pair 2 exercises - the turn on the haunches and the shoulder in - to get the half pass. In the half pass, the horses will be moving forward and sideways at the same time while looking in the direction of travel. The outside legs should pass in front of the inside legs as the horse moves across the diagonal line. The turn on the haunches prepares the horse by moving him off outside leg and the shoulder in positions the horse so the the shoulders lead the movement. Once the turn on the haunches is complete, take a few steps of shoulder in and point the horse's nose and inside shoulder toward your end point. Then, begin asking the horse to move away from the outside leg while keeping the nose and inside shoulder on the diagonal line of travel toward your end point. Be sure to align your shoulders with the horse's and look where you would like to touch the rail or quarterline when you finish the half pass. Happy riding.
