It's not Check and Balance, it's Half Halt and Balance

Forgive the lengthy title but I had to start where I need to be! The search for a horse has so many potential pitfalls already but I did want to take into consideration what type of horse suits me, not only at my best but at my worst. Most of us have experienced having to ride and train when we're not feeling tip top. Part of they exploration was seeing what went well with my old horse and being brave about what didn't. Did he do well with me or did he do well despite me? 

This led me down the garden path of what type of hind leg action matched with neck angle could I ride best and what angles should I be learning about. hind legs with neck, neck with temperament, temperament with talent. It's an endless spiral. Thankfully I can say I was left with more than just a jumble of thoughts but a few more clear ideas of what I didn't want. 

The next step was ensuring I had support with the things I had admittedly struggled with, half halts under pressure. My urge to make it ethical and comfortable for my horse left me hovering in the mid point of asking but not being brave enough to help in pressure. The temptation was to always move out of it or find a way around. In the latter end of his competition career, good wise minds warned of leaving my horse ill equipped for the advanced work of collection considering his size. Balance points were fragile and disguised in a test at best. Without the ability to half halt truly in a way that made him braver over the back I left him in limbo when connection was most needed. 

So this in mind, I'm loving the good moments in training the newest recruit but I'm tending most to the uncomfortable moments, always checking, did that make him more brave for the future or not. Spending all this time in the discomfort sure does send your brain blurry but I remind myself that's my job to deal with not my horses.