Shoulder In...

[Lot1983]

The pony I ride in my lessons is only 5 and has not been broken that long, this week we have mastered the leg yield, and next week we are going to start learning to shoulder in, any advice on how I can make it easier for him? He is a clever boy, and does what he is told as long as you give him clear consice commands...
I've done it on other horses, but they're older and had done it before, just want to make it as easy as possible for him... help please!

[andreaB]

my advice would be not to ask too much of him to begin with , if you manage a few strides at a time be happy & reward him

riding it from a 10m or samller circle & finishing off in the same manner will make it easier for him

if you are going to have a go in trot as well as walk make sure you keep the trot nice & steady to make it easier for him

[Lot1983]

He has a lovely trot where he really gets his back side under him, and he's very responsive to the half halt. When we were leg yielding we trotted, walked and then back up to a trot.
I just wondered if specifically what else I can do to encourage him, especially as it is something he's never done before...
Managed a turn on the forehand too this week, but only as he was trying to shoot off accross the school and I wasn't going to let him go his way no matter how close to the fence he got!

[Skyhuntress]

I find that doing it on a circle really helps, because it gives you some boundaries as well