How do judges evaluate the halt and rein-back in a driving dressage test?

The halt and rein-back are precision movements that reveal a great deal about a driving horse's training and the driver's skill, and experienced judges pay close attention to every detail of how these movements are executed. In the halt, judges look for a horse that comes smoothly and progressively to a square, immobile stance directly in front of the marker where the halt is called for. The square halt means all four legs should be placed evenly — front feet level with each other, hind feet level with each other — without cocking a hind leg or stepping crookedly. The horse must stand still and attentive, not pawing, swinging its quarters, or shifting weight. Many horses will halt near the marker but then take a small additional step forward or sideways; this is penalized as a loss of obedience and imprecision. The transition into the halt should be gradual and balanced, not abrupt or on the forehand. A horse that braces against the reins, throws its head up, or skids to a stop demonstrates a lack of throughness and collection. Judges want to see a horse that feels the aid and steps under itself to bring its hind end beneath the body while the front end lightens and settles. The rein-back must show diagonal pairs moving cleanly in a clear two-beat rhythm — left front and right hind moving together, then right front and left hind. The steps should be even, unhurried, and straight, covering equal ground with each pair. Common faults include lateral rein-back (where legs move individually rather than in diagonal pairs), crookedness, resistance, dragging feet, and either rushing or refusing to step back willingly. After the rein-back, the judge watches for a prompt and willing forward transition, which demonstrates that the horse remained in front of the driver's aids throughout the movement and did not mentally or physically lock up during the backward steps.