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FEBRUARY 2006 • VOLUME 6 • HORSES For LIFE™ Magazine
First of all what is it? What is this shoulder-in?
There is more then one definition of shoulder-in. Below is just one of those, the shoulder-in as definied by the International Equestrian Federation. While the Federation provides us with one definition, the definition of the three track shoulder-in, it is considered an invaluable training exercise. One where the horse horse is bent opposite to the direction of movement. One that provides increased mobility of the shoulders as well as increased development of the loading of the hindquarters.
Fédération Equestre Internationale
Lateral Movements FEI
Article 412 The Lateral Movements
| Article 412 The Lateral Movements |
1. The additional aim of lateral movements is to develop and increase the engagement of the quarters and thereby also the collection.
2. In all lateral movements - shoulder-in, travers, renvers, halfpass - the horse is slightly bent and moves with the forehand and the quarters on two different tracks.
3. The bend or flexion must never be exaggerated so that it impairs the balance and fluency of the movement concerned.
4. At the lateral movements the pace should remain free and regular, maintained by a constant impulsion, yet it must be supple, cadenced and balanced. The impulsion is often lost, because of the rider's preoccupation mainly in bending the horse and pushing him sideways.
5. At all lateral movements the side to which the horse should be bent is the inside. The opposite side is the outside.
6. Shoulder-in. The horse is slightly bent round the inside leg of the rider. The horse's inside foreleg passes and crosses in front of the outside leg; the inside hind leg is placed in front of the outside leg. The horse is looking away from the direction in which he is moving. Shoulder-in, if performed in the right way, with the horse slightly bent round the inside leg of the rider, and on the correct tracking, is not only a suppling movement but also a collecting movement, because the horse at every step must move his inside hind leg underneath his body and place it in front of the outside, with a lowering of his inside hip (see fig. 1). |
Do we need It?
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It is important to remember that the shoulder-in is not the end all and be all of riding. It is a movement designed to facilitate and help the horse supple his shoulders. Not all masters have used the shoulder-in. Beudant for one states:
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February 2006 • Volume 6
HORSES FOR LIFE™
Published Monthly
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