Western
Intermediate
25 min
Sliding Stop Preparation
Focus: Collection, Obedience, Technique
Equipment: Splint boots, Bell boots
Step-by-Step Instructions
- The sliding stop requires a specific ground surface and shoeing. This exercise prepares the body position and aids.
- At the walk, practice halt transitions that feel like the horse sits on its haunches.
- The halt should come from your seat: drive your hips into the saddle, say 'whoa,' and the horse should stop from behind.
- Progress to the jog. Ask for the same sitting-halt. The horse should rock back on its haunches.
- At the lope, the halt becomes a proto-sliding stop: the horse decelerates by sitting and sliding the hind legs forward.
- Only practice at slow speeds. True sliding stops at speed require proper ground and sliding plates.
- The key takeaway: the halt comes from the seat and voice, not the reins.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the reins to stop instead of the seat and voice.
- Practicing sliding stops on hard or rocky ground (only appropriate footing).
- Not wearing protective boots on the horse's legs.
- Asking for speed stops before the horse understands the basic body position.
Variations & Progressions
- Practice the 'rundown' approach: build speed on the long side, then halt at the end.
- Work with a trainer experienced in sliding stops before attempting at speed.
- Combine sliding stop preparation with rollback work.
Tip: The sliding stop is 90% preparation and 10% execution. The horse must understand sitting stops at slow gaits before adding speed.
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