Tip #3 Maximize Your Half Pass

GAME CHANGING PERFORMANCE TIP#3

Maximizing Half Pass

The Masterson Method® techniques are fabulous for increasing range of motion through the shoulders and encouraging downward relaxation of the scapula.  As an added bonus endorphins are released into the horse’s body during these techniques helping your horse to relax.  Here are a of couple of my favourites for dressage horses! 

ACROSS THE MIDLINE

Across the Midline. Guide your horse’s leg gently toward and across the midline. He may not be able to reach the midline; do not force it. The horse pictured above as a very good range of motion across the midline.

It is not uncommon to find one leg has more range of motion than the other.

DOWN AND BACK

Some horse’s will find down and back easier than down and forward, while others will find down and forward easier than down and back. When you meet resistance it will be the opposing muscles that are tight.

DOWN AND FORWARD

Down and Forward. Support the weight of the leg by holding under the toe. Gradually lower the the foot straight down from the knee to the ground as you continue to support it. This Masterson Method® technique helps release tension in the scapula.

The ideas is to have the horse relax his weight into your hand. Your horse may find this hard if there is shoulder tension.

He may try to pull his leg up or away from you. Be ready to follow his movement. Pulling on the leg is counter productive; remember, the benefits of these techniques are through increasing the range of motion while in a relaxed state.

Across the Midline. Gently guide your horse’s leg across the midline until you meet resistance. Then stop.

OUT TO THE SIDE

As with all the techniques do not pull or force the horse’s leg. Stop when you feel resistance.