TIPS & PITFALLS

Don’t make the changeover between shoulder-in and halfpass too quick, and in the beginning, don’t ask for too much angle.

Stay in a good rhythm — don’t allow a keen horse to get too quick or a lazy horse to back off in the lateral movements.

When trying the exercise with a young horse or inexperienced rider, you can ride shoulder-fore (smaller angle than shoulder-in) into a leg-yield.

Keep everything small and neat until the horse understands what is being asked of him.

It’s important that the horse learns he has to move his quarters over in the halfpass. Make a stronger aid if you need to, and then back off immediately when he responds.

If the horse is lazy or slows down in shoulder-in or halfpass in trot, you can go rising.

Another tip for lazy horses is to do the half-pass at medium trot or canter to freshen him up.

If the rider is struggling with sitting trot the horse will tighten, so if that happens it’s better to do the exercise in rising trot.

If the horse performs the half-pass with his quarters trailing, ride the exercise a few times with the quarters leading to make the point to the horse that he must move his hindlegs across.