Tips on Shoulder Control
When we talk about controlling specific parts of your horse, we have specific goals in mind. For example, having your horse drop his head allows him to be more comfortable and relaxed and makes it easier for him to do things like slow down and give to pressure. Moving his hips over enables you to turn him and slow him down. And getting him to move a shoulder over helps you get his feet pointing in the direction you want them to go. For this lesson, shoulder control is a primary positioning tool, so you'll want to practice it in advance to make sure your horse responds well to the cue.
To practice the shoulders-over technique, have your horse walk forward. Then, take the slack out of one rein, asking him to bring his nose to the shoulder on that side. For example, let's say you want him to move his left shoulder to the right (which will move his entire front end to the right). Apply light and steady pressure to the left rein. He may initially try to pull his head around to the left, which you can counter by sliding your hand about a third of the way up the left side of his neck, without releasing the rein. If he responds by stepping his hips over, keep him walking and maintain that steady pressure so he knows that isn't what you're asking for. Then, as soon as you feel him shift his weight onto his right shoulder, release the rein. This is the response you want, and after you've practiced it for awhile, your horse will know which part you're asking him to move.
As soon as he'll calmly approach the open mailbox, reach inside and pull your hand back out. Do that several times before actually picking up any mail. Then, when you decide to pick up some mail, be ready: In the case of a spook, drop the mail if you have to and regain control over your horse by asking him to move his shoulder to one side. Let the mail land wherever it lands-the only thing that matters at the moment is control and safety.
After you have your horse under control, you can regroup and work back to the point of pulling mail out of the box. Eventually, you'll be able to take the mail out and hold it, then put it back in the box and ride away. As with the other steps, you should practice this part until he's 100 percent responsive to your cues.
To make sure your horse has a solid understanding of what the entire process entails, you'll want to go back to square one. It doesn't have to be today (although it can be). Starting back at the barn, ride your horse matter-of-factly out to the mailbox, making sure he is responding to all your requests along the way.
If there's any hesitation or confusion, ask yourself, "What cue isn't working?" Is he bulging his shoulder to evade the approach to the mailbox? Move that shoulder the opposite direction to line him back up and turn his nose toward the mailbox. Be as specific as possible. Don't think, "He's veering off course and we'll never get to the mailbox." Think, "He's turning his left shoulder away and I need to turn it back two steps."
This mailbox journey may not be perfect-and the next few times may not be, either. But if you stick with it, before long you'll be getting the mail like he was a regular part of the Pony Express.
