Shoulder- In work?

Question

What are some exercises i can do with my horse to work on keeping him from throwing his shoulder out?

Answer 1

Focus on going straight, turning, then straightening back onto the line (the shoulder dropping is a reluctance to get straight again). Don't put him on a lunge line... unless he's wild and you need to spin some energy off.

In order to go straight, you must go forward as well. If you become too concerned with where his shoulder is, you may drop your eye, slow down, and make the problem worse than it is. Keep your eyes up and march through trouble spots using a lot more outside leg (nudge, nudge, nudge). Remember not to HANG on any reign- the horse will just Bear down on you more in resistance, so, try to "tug, release, tug, release, over, pumpkin, please." Make the horse travel on the path you want to travel on at the consistant pace you want to maintain.

If there is a huge problem area where he throws his shoulder badly, practice a rectangle that gets closer and closer to the problem area. Change directions across the diaganal here and there so that he dosn't become bored... and onto your game, but continue to be very presice about where and when you want to go.

I'd avoid circles for a while just because it invites him to throw the shoulder out. Make him go straight, turn, straight, turn, etc. across the diagonal (really support the outside at the beginning of the turn until you're on the straight line and then Leave him alone.)

Do leave him alone when he's being good, Fix the problem where it lives, ride each step.

>One circle exersise that works well is to do the circle with no bend. Try not to lose impulsion, and do one circle then go straight, don't overdo. Too much of a good thing can be bad.

Answer 2

if he throws his shoulder out while trotting, then put him on a long lead rope, hold the lead rope right where his halter is, walk around with him and keep your hand on his shoulder that he is throwing out and put pressure on it. Then you will need to start jogging slowly, (enough that he moves into a slow trot) and put more pressure on it. That way he will know that if he throws his shoulder out it will be painful. I hope you and your horse have some progress!