shoulder in?

[Maes Seren]

Argghhh me and my pony very nearly ended up on the floor today attempting this. Damned mare got a good hard smack on the bum and a boot in the ribs for rearing up Stroppy cow

Right, got told by Tor Brewer to do shoulder in and half pass with Gem in canter. It'll help lift her up in front, she says.
Fine, right rein she can do a cracking shoulder in, all 3 paces, but left reins... youre very lucky if you get it in walk

Any ideas?

Shes never been taught from the ground, im always on her back moving her.

[Blonde Donkey]

i would teach it from the ground first maybe just ten minutes before you get on her

[kitcat]

Don't ask me, I'm so useless that I end up with a half pass instead of shoulder in . No one has worked out why yet. Hope you work it out though.

[Becca]

I was always taught to get the horse on a nice 10m circle then keep the bend when you think they are ready to moved up the track. I agree though, a couple of time from the ground then maybe you on top and someone on the ground to help.

Is the left rein here weaker rein usually? maybe try double up the exercises on that side to stengthen her up eg. shoulder in left rein, then right, then left again. same for circles etc

[Maes Seren]

Usually her right rein is her weaker rein.

All i ask for to start with is one or two steps, the right s/i has come on fantastically, to the point where we could start with the half pass now and s/i the whole way down the menage without the 10m circle.

Yep on the left rein i use the circle, then ask her to go straight and its at that moment that she tenses up and throws her toys out the pram.

Ive got a lesson tonight, but its a group lesson and im not sure how beneficial theyre going to be, but will have a word with her, see if she can watch the effort and try to help.

[Becca]

have you had her back checked recently if she i tense down her ride side, left rein s/i will be painful as it is asking her to stretch out her right side (is that right or have i confused myself??) so good for her but painfull

[Maes Seren]

I do want too, and infact i meant to ask the vet when i spoke to them this morning, damn, but think rebanna? said that back people have been told not to massage horses with melanomas as it can help spread them? :S

[Becca]

o no really? that a bummer! OOO i spoke to my friend, seaweed is a to keep melenoma's away in greys, not sure if it is scientifically proven but it seems to be a "well known" thing. plus you don't have to feed it all the time, she only feeds it in the winter when flo is fed a hard feed. some people feed 10 weeks on 10 off. it's about £7-9 a tub and a tub lasts thirza about 2-3 months. depending on how generous she is with it. There must be a site about how it works? hmm shall investigate

[Maes Seren]

Oh thanks, theres a local feed shop round here which sells seaweed, nearly bought it about a year ago actually, then decided against it as i erm, found some jods in the sale which i wanted!!!

Ive asked my instructor if we can do shoulder in week on tues in the next flat lesson, im hoping she can cast an eye over the issues im having. If not, ill try and get a video to post up on here.

[brigadier]

Hi Mae
just a point to think about- check that you are sat in the correct position with your shoulders mirroring hers and your hips aligned with her hips. It may be that you are a bit weaker on this rein and making it difficult for her! Without seeing it its difficult to say whats happening. I always find lateral work to the left hard but Im slightly crooked in my hips so think this may be why.
Dont ask for too much, a couple of steps and then circle out of it- and always use a circle to prep for the movement, this will help put you right.
Its always tempting to do too much shoulder in and half pass because once you get it, it feels so lovely but its better for the horse to do a few steps and then change.
Do try and get a vid
brig