SHOULDER CONTROL
Shoulder control is so important because it gives you the ability to get your horse to go exactly where you want him to go.
Reverse Arc Circle
Start off in a circle with the horse's nose bent toward the inside of the circle. Use your inside leg in position 1 to ask the horse to move his shoulders over toward the outside of the circle (his nose will still be bent to the inside, but he will be moving his shoulders the opposite direction). To finish the movement, I will take the inside leg off to allow him to follow his nose back to the original circle. ALWAYS finish with following the nose so that he gets a release there.
Now, we will work on moving the shoulders while following the nose. In this second exercise, move in a circle once again. Then, take the outside leg to position 1 and ask the shoulders to come around the hindquarters. Wait until the hind end locks down and the shoulders move around. If he speeds up, or isn't moving the shoulders after you've given him several moments to respond, bump with your outside rein to slow down the forward motion and help him out. It isn't important that the horse completes the maneuver quickly at this point. Slow and correct is preferable at this stage.
To build on the shoulder control you've gained, start riding very specific, controlled circles, riding off your seat. Use your eyes to guide the circle in and out. Allow your legs to be guides that correct the horse as he gets off the circle. Take it up another notch by riding on your circle, then take your inside leg off, shift your seat to the other direction, and guide the horse's shoulders around to get him going in a circle in the opposite direction.
I hope these exercises help you improve your communication with your horse, and help you gain more control over his movements. Be sure to join us for the next video in the series, "Building Hindquarter Control."
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
-Ken McNabb