The half-pass is a lateral movement

Lateral movement

Lateral movements or lateral flexions within equestrianism, have a specific meaning, used to refer to movements made by a horse where the animal is moving in a direction other than straight forward...

 seen in dressage

Dressage

Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...

, in which the horse moves forward and sideways at the same time. Unlike the easier leg-yield

Leg-yield

The leg-yield is a lateral movement performed on a horse, in which the horse travels both sideways and forward at the same time. The horse is fairly straight through his body in the leg-yield, although he may have a slight bend to the outside...

, the horse is bent in the direction of travel, slightly around the rider's inside leg. The outside hind and forelegs should cross over the inside legs, with the horse's body parallel to the arena wall and his forehand leading. The horse should remain forward, balanced, and bent, moving with cadence. The inside hind leg remains engaged throughout the half-pass, and the horse should not lose its rhythm.

The half-pass is a variation of haunches-in

Haunches-in

Haunches-in is a lateral movement used in the dressage discipline of horse training. It has a close cousin, haunches-out , that is slightly more difficult...

 (travers), executed on a diagonal line instead of along the wall. At higher levels it is used to perform a counter-change of hand, combining more than two half-passes with changes of direction in a zig-zag pattern.

The Half-Pass vs. the Leg-Yield

The half-pass requires more balance, engagement, and collection from a horse than the leg-yield

Leg-yield

The leg-yield is a lateral movement performed on a horse, in which the horse travels both sideways and forward at the same time. The horse is fairly straight through his body in the leg-yield, although he may have a slight bend to the outside...

. This is because the horse is slightly bent in the direction of movement in the half-pass. In the leg-yield, the horse is fairly straight or looking slightly away from the direction of travel.

The Purpose of the Half-Pass

The half-pass is a schooling movement that requires the horse to engage the hindquarters and increase its impulsion. It can therefore be used as the rider is trying to increase collection or impulsion

Impulsion

Impulsion is the pushing power of a horse, which comes from its desire to move powerfully forward with energy. However, speed does not create impulsion, and a rushing horse is more likely to be "flat" than impulsive...

. The half-pass is commonly seen in dressage tests beginning at the USDF third level.

Performing the maneuver

The half-pass is usually taught after the haunches-in

Haunches-in

Haunches-in is a lateral movement used in the dressage discipline of horse training. It has a close cousin, haunches-out , that is slightly more difficult...

 is well confirmed. It may first be introduced by riding a half-10-meter circle from the long side to the centerline, or a half-volte

Volte

The volte is a very small circle that is used in the training of a horse. Of all the circles, it requires the most balance from the horse. Voltes are excellent training tools, encouraging engagement and power.-Size of the volte:...

, and then half-passing in. The circle naturally places the horse's body in the correct bend, and helps to encourage the engagement needed for the movement. The outside hind leg must step well under the horse's body to push the animal forward and sideways. A rider uses an active outside leg slightly behind the neutral position to ask the horse to step forward and under. The outside rein maintains the correct bend and contains the energy of the horse, the inside leg keeps the horse moving forward, and the inside rein guides the forehand in the direction of movement. The rider also uses his or her inside seat bone to help maintain bend. If the rider is off-center or twisted, the horse will also be crooked or off-balance.

If the horse loses quality in the movement, such as lack of correct bend (haunches leading or inside shoulder falling inward), loss of rhythm, or stiffness, the rider straightens the horse and rides forward.

The beginning and the end of the movement needs special attention concerning control and balance.

Sources

• Richard Davison, Dressage Priority Points, Howell Book House, New York 1995
• Jennie Loriston-Clarke, The Complete Guide to Dressage. How to Achieve Perfect Harmony between You and Your Horse. Principal Movements in Step-by-step Sequences Demonstrated by a World Medallist, Quarto Publishing plc, London 1987, reprinted 1993

External links

• Video of the Half-Pass