Rebalance Your Horse With

"The Half Halt Blueprint"

The Science & Skill Behind Riding’s Most Misunderstood Aid


Finally understand it. Finally teach it. Finally make it work — every time.

You’ve heard about the half halt a thousand times. You’ve probably been told it’s “just a moment in time"... “a stop without stopping"... “use your seat"...
But has anyone ever truly shown you how to teach the pieces that make it work?

This course strips away the mystery. I’ll teach you my Four-Part Half Halt Framework

so both you and your horse really UNDERSTAND this fundamental aid.


Whether you ride dressage, jump, or simply want your horse balanced

and rideable - this is the skill that changes everything.

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH FIRST!

Why Half Halts Matter

Half halts aren’t just about slowing down — in fact they are not about slowing down at all!

They’re about:

  • Balance

  • Preparation

  • Focus

  • and Gathering Energy

When a horse doesn’t understand how to half halt properly, everything else suffers:

  • Transitions become messy or delayed

  • Movement feels flat

  • Aids clash and your seat gets ignored

  • The horse leans, rushes, hollows or shuts down

  • Contact becomes inconsistent or the nose pokes out

A correct half halt changes all that. It’s the aid that says:

“Wait for me. Sit up. Get ready — here it comes.”

It prepares the horse to rebalance, lift the shoulders, activate the hind legs, and carry you in self-carriage.

Whether you’re riding a canter transition, preparing for a fence, or shaping a movement - the half halt is the difference between riding through something ... and riding it beautifully.


Hi, I'm Jody Hartstone - The Equine Catalyst

I’ve been exactly where you are — riding a horse that feels downhill, heavy, rushed, or just not quite balanced, wondering why every transition or movement feels harder than it needs to be.

Even as a Grand Prix rider, the half halt was once a complete mystery to me.


I could ride the movements — but I couldn’t teach the half halt in a way that was reliable, repeatable, or fair to the horse.

Everything changed when I discovered Equitation Science.

Understanding biomechanics, front leg control, and the actual learning theory behind rebalancing felt like someone switched the arena lights on.


My horses became lighter. My transitions smoother. Movements that once felt sticky suddenly became effortless.

It wasn't talent. It wasn't strength. It was clarity - and that's what I want to give you.

HOW I CAN HELP

Inside this course, you’ll learn how to:

* Shorten without slowing

* Lighten the forehand using the correct front-leg mechanics

* Straighten and rebalance without confusion or conflict

* Keep the energy while improving posture and
self-carriage

No more guesswork.
No more clashing aids.
No more hoping the half halt “just happens.”

You’ll finally understand it — and your horse will too.

BY THE END OF THE COURSE YOUR

HORSE WILL BE ABLE TO:

Shorten the stride without slowing down

Lift the poll to lighten the forehand

Bring the nose to vertical for true body compression

Maintain (or quicken) the rhythm so energy is gathered, not leaked

Respond in less than 3 seconds - creating the "momentary" half halt everybody talks about

TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying

"“Now I know exactly what I’m asking for.”"

“I’ve ridden for years and thought I knew what a half halt was — turns out, I didn’t! Jody’s explanation finally made it click. My horse feels so much more balanced than before,”
Lucy - Part Time Rider, Full Time Learner

"My canter to the fences has completely changed!"

“Working on the half halt with Jody allowed my horse to shorten yet keep power. His frame was lifted and he felt very sharp and present underneath me. Continuing to improve the half halt cue will improve our show jumping massively.”

Ruby W - Show Jumping Competitor

"From mystery to mastery"

“The half halt was always this vague, mystical thing instructors mentioned, but no one ever explained how to teach it. This course gave me the tools to train it step-by-step, so now it works every single time. My transitions, lateral work, and overall balance have improved out of sight.”
— Emily K - Equine Osteopath and competition rider

From Mystery to Mastery: What You and Your Horse Will Gain…

It’s time to leave behind:...

A Horse that feels heavy, downhill or on the forehand

Rushing or running through movements

Hallowing or Leaning

Messy Transitions

Clashing aids

Wondering “Was that a half halt? Did it work?”

and say hello to...

A horse that feels balanced, light, and uphill

Clean, powerful transitions

Energy that’s collected, not lost

A half halt that works every single time

Confidence in knowing exactly what you’re asking

The ability to prepare your horse for anything — movements, transitions, fences, turns

Here Is How

This Works

You don’t need fancy tack,

or a Grand Prix horse.

You just need a clear, step-by-step way to teach your horse what the half halt actually means..

Step 1 : Join the Half Halt Blueprint Everything is waiting for you inside one complete course.

Step 2: – Learn the Science
Biomechanics + learning theory explained in simple, rider-friendly language.

Step 3: – Install the Building Blocks
Shorten - Lift - Shape - Energise

Each part trained separately and clearly.

Step 4: Put it Together
Blend everything into a fluent, 3-second rebalancing aid that works in any gait, any discipline

Your Investment

$250 NZD -

Lifetime access

Less than the cost of two lessons -

and yours to use for the rest of your riding / training / coaching career

What You Get:

  • Instant Lifetime access to all video lessons viewable on any device

  • 3 full modules showing you how to train every ingredient of the half halt

  • Real rider case studies and troubleshooting

  • “Half Halt Hamburger” framework (your new four-part system)

  • The science, biomechanics, and learning theory behind the aid

  • Step-by-step arena application

What's Inside

Module 1

the science and secrets of the half halt

Break down the half halt into clear, teachable components.

Understand what is is and what it is not.

Module 2

building blocks - training each ingredient

Teach shortening, lifting, straightening, and energising as separate cues with clarity and confidence.

Module 3

REAL HORSES, REAL RIDERS – APPLYING THE HALF HALT

Watch Jody troubleshoot young, green, downhill, and unbalanced horses. Learn to identify when it is working and what to do when it is not.

Who Is This COURSE Perfect For ?

Riders with a young or green horses

Riders struggling with heaviness, rushing or balance issues

Riders who want to prevent future problems like leaning or hollowing

Trainers / coaches wanting an ethical, science-based framework

Any rider who wants a horse that feels light, uphill, and ready

STILL NOT SURE?

Frequently Asked Questions

What level rider or horse is this for?

Any level — as long as you have basic control, you can start learning the half halt. The exercises are progressive, so you can work at the pace that suits you and your horse.

How is the course delivered?

The Half Halt Blueprint is 100% online. You’ll get lifetime access to all the videos, exercises, and downloadable resources so you can revisit them whenever you need a refresher.

Is this just for dressage riders?

Not at all. The half halt is essential in every discipline. Dressage riders use it to prepare for transitions and movements; jumping riders use it to balance to the base of a fence without killing the canter. Whether you compete or just want a more balanced, responsive horse, this course will help.

My instructor has tried to teach me the half halt before and it never “clicked.” Will this course help?

Absolutely. Most riders are told to “just use your seat” or “make it momentary” without ever being shown how to train the parts that make a half halt work. This course breaks it down into clear, teachable steps so you and your horse both understand it — no mystery, no guesswork.

How long do I have access to the course?

Forever! You can return to the videos and resources anytime you need a refresher — whether that’s next week, next month, or next year.

Will I need any special equipment or an arena?

No. You don’t need fancy tack, a Grand Prix horse, or an indoor arena. Most exercises can be done in a flat paddock, arena, or safe riding space.

How quickly will I see results?

Many riders notice improvement within the first few sessions because the aids become clear for both horse and rider. The more consistently you practise, the quicker your horse will respond.

Jody Hartstone - The Equine Catalyst


READY TO MASTER THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD AID IN RIDING?


Correct half halts are the key to balance, lightness, and communication — and it’s never too soon (or too late) to get them right.

The Half Halt Blueprint gives you a clear, step-by-step process to understand what a half halt really is, how to teach it, and how to feel when it’s working.

Give your horse the gift of true self-carriage — and set yourself up for a lifetime of harmony, confidence, and connection in the saddle.

Equine Catalyst: Empowering you with the knowledge and skills to create a brighter future for your horses. Where sport, ethics, and science converge.


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