School Halt is an exercise that horses of all skill levels can learn. It teaches horses how to balance their weight properly in collection. It's a great exercise because it allows horses to take their time to adjust their weight without worrying about other commands.
The most important thing about teaching School Halt is the human's approach, not the horse's readiness. You need to be patient and responsive to even the smallest changes. You and your horse should be deeply connected, in a calm and focused state. Your cues should be gentle and subtle. I believe in teaching School Halt without using high-energy methods like tapping with a whip or intense positive reinforcement. I might use clicks and treats, but the horse should be relaxed and curious, not anxious. Notice that I don't use a whip; instead, I guide the horse with my focus and gestures toward the part of the body I want to move. I prefer this method because it lets the horse figure out how to redistribute their weight for better balance.
It’s OK to teach School Halt to inexperienced horses, but it's crucial to focus on doing it correctly rather than just doing it a lot. The goal is to achieve the right posture (the arrow) instead of the triangle or parallelogram. This means ensuring that the horse's hind legs are slightly forward, their hindquarters are lowered, and their forehand is lifted a bit. These details matter more than how much the hind legs bend or how much weight they shift onto their hind legs. It's about teaching the horse to find balance and alignment in their body.