THE QUICK FIX Shoulder-in
Want to master a movement in one simple session? Our short, sweet and effective guide will help you do just that. This month, perfect your shoulder-in
Photos: Jon Stroud
As one of the early lateral movements that most young horses learn, shoulder-in does some heavy lifting in a horse’s education. That’s why it’s so commonly seen in more complex exercises, or included as part of a pro’s advice for solidifying your horse’s scales of training. But if you haven’t yet nailed the movement, its prevalence can be more frustrating than it is helpful. Ready to adopt it into your schooling arsenal? Shelve your shoulder-in woes for good with our top tips.
What’s the point?
You’ll need to be able to execute a correct shoulder-in at Elementary and above – but this useful movement has way more benefits than simply earning you marks. These include…
• improving your horse’s lateral suppleness
• developing balance and straightness
• focusing a spooky horse
• adding expression to his paces