INPUT NEEDED: Lifting Shoulder?

Question

What are good specific riding exercises to help develop a horse so he can lift his shoulder without it being so effortful for him?

Engaging his hindend and lifting his shoulder is something that he's been worked on by professionals, and it just seems to be incredibly difficult for him, though we've been at it for a few years. I would really like to incorporate more variety as well as specific sequences that have worked for trainers and other knowledgeable horse people out there.

Engagement, bending, flexing, and rounding are what our riding objectives are in general. Right now I do a lot of lateral work, circles, figure eights, broken lines, and walk trot upward and downward transitions. If I manage to lighten up his front, it's only for a stride or two before he gets heavy again. It's a bit better when a professional trainer works him; he may get a few more strides. Please help.

Answer 1

Only a thought...have you ruled out physical limitations with this horse???  Has he been checked over by a equine chiropractor or had any massage therapy or pulse therapy?  I'd be inclined to get busy with these to determine if it's painful for him to elevate his front end.  To lift his shoulder, to do a reverse arch.   To do a counter canter....once you've ruled out the possibility of any pain hindering his performance then I'd seek professional training help with the horse.

More often than not, pain is totally overlooked as something that may influence your horse and his unwillingness to lighten his front end....also remember, some horses are very adept athletes and others are not.  I've seen poor moving dressage horses which was a real shock....I thought they were all beautifull movers and very athletic but that is not the case.

Answer 2

i had the same problem with my gelding.

he needs to build more muscle. do more flexing with him and belly lifts by rubbing his belly underneath and causing him to raise and lower his back. but its sounds like u r doing everything fine.

also, i would bring him on the lunge line and make him lope large circles at first then progress to tight circles in both directions.

get on him and after a long warm up of light trotting slowly ease into a lope. first lope big circles then come in a bit and cross the inside rein over his neck, this will cause him to lift his shoulder.

but continue building muscle on him and practice on the lunge line.

hope i was helpful and good luck!

Answer 3

Depending on your horses overall confirmation, especially his shoulder angles, he just may be naturally designed to travel heavy on the forehand.  That is not to say that there aren't exercises that will help lighten his forehand and shift his weight to his hindquarters, but I always think it is important to know where your starting so that you can guage your true progress and success along the way.

Sounds like some gymnastic work might help.  I know there are a couple of really great books FULL of awesome gymnastics, such as Build A Better Athlete: 16 Gymnastic Exercises for Your Horse by Leslie Webb (http://www.amazon.com/Build-Better-Athle... and  GYMNASTIC EXERCISES FOR HORSES The Classical Way by Eleanor Russell (http://www.tackinthebox.com/books/dressa...

To get you started right away, here is an excellent (free!) article with exercises from Jim Wofford:

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_...

And another from international dressage judge and trainer Lilo Fore http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_...

In addition to the gymnastic exercises I find a correctly applied half-halts can help rebalance many forehand heavy horses.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Half-halts to the rescue!

Go youtube Jane Savoie and look at her half-halt video, it'll answer a whole heck of a lot. Also, check out all her other videos to see some more tips about proper commands, etc.

So, definately build muscles through the back first, you need to be able to have your horse be long and low and then he should be able to lift up and bring his shoulders up. Make sure that your posture is correct that you are off of the forehand of the horse by bringing your own shoulders back and making sure your legs are under you. Make sure he is not heavy on the reins or this will make him heavy on the forehead.

Pretty much just... good luck :).  -- Note: make sure his comformation is acceptable for this, it might just end up being too hard for him if he is a very front heavy horse.

Answer 5

Hmmm... do you have any confo pics of Dobbin?  From the photos I've seen, he looks pretty darn good to me, shoulder-wise and everything else.  Hunky, even.  :D  But I wonder (and I'm sure you've thought of this) if part of this is conformational.  That doesn't mean he won't be able to do it, though...

*Mulling this over* I will be back to add more to my answer after doing a little more thinking/consulting!