Shoulder-in is an exercise where the horse bends around the rider’s inside leg, bringing his shoulders onto the inside track, while remaining straight on the track with his hind legs. The horse moves away from the rider’s inside leg into the outside rein, travelling in a constant rhythm and maintaining impulsion from behind.
Why Ride Shoulder-in?
- It will improve the horse’s suppleness; when performed on both reins, it will even out one-sidedness.
- It will improve the horse’s balance, as he will have to bring his inside hind leg correctly underneath him in order to balance himself.
- It will improve the horse’s consistency in the contact and enable him to be more ‘on-the-bit’.
- It will teach the horse to bend around your inside leg and move laterally through his body.
How to Ride Shoulder-in
Start in walk, so that the horse has time to understand the exercise and is less likely to fall onto his forehand and rush. Once he has got to grips with the movement on each rein in walk, you should move on to trot, as this is where you will feel the most benefit.
Start on your horse’s easier rein. All horses are stiffer on one rein than the other, so try not to make it harder for yourself!
Ride a 10 metre circle in walk in the corner of the manege, ensuring that you have a nice, active walk. As you complete the circle, allow the shoulders to come onto the inside track, as if you were going to begin another circle. At this moment, block the forward movement with your outside rein and at the same time increase the pressure on the girth with your inside leg.
Angle your shoulders so that they are facing the same direction that you want your horse’s shoulders to face, probably towards the opposite far corner of the manege.
Make sure that you stay soft and supple in your body, continuing to follow the horse’s movement in the walk. If you block the horse through your seat, he will find it impossible to bend and step under with his inside hind leg.
Use your outside leg a little behind the girth, to ensure that the quarters to not swing out as a result of the shoulders coming in. This will also encourage the forward movement that is necessary to make this exercise beneficial.
Common Mistakes When Riding Shoulder-in
- Slowing down and losing impulsion. Make sure that you keep the rhythm the same as when moving straight.
- Asking for too much angle too soon. Start by only asking the shoulders to move off the track by a couple of inches, then build up to the horse's hooves being on three tracks.
- Getting too much neck bend. Horses can fool inexperienced riders by bringing their head to the inside, but doing little with their shoulders. Use your outside rein and inside leg to position the shoulders in the correct place and maintain the angle for several steps.
Remember – this exercise is tough for a horse that has not done it before. Make sure that you reward any effort that is on the right lines at first; your horse will be much more willing to try for a little more next time.
Susanna Crossland - Susanna studied English Literature at the University of Exeter, before taking two years out to work with dressage horses. Having qualified ...
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