The Shoulder-In (Part 2; Purpose & Execution)

So, now that we've cleared up some misconceptions about the shoulder-in, I'd like to discuss the many purposes of this exercise, some ways of performing it for schooling purposes and how to perform it on a dressage test. =)

Purpose:


For the horse:

• To make the horse more flexible, supple and light
• To develop collection (including piaffe)
• To improve extensions
• To prevent horses from rearing/spooking

For the rider:

• To develop coordination of the aids
• To develop 'feel'
• To make the rider's aids lighter and thus the horse lighter
• To develop seat

Who should perform the shoulder-in?

• A horse that accepts a very basic contact with the bit by softly mouthing when asked and who has an understanding of stretching into a very light contact until the neck is horizontal (therefore even very green but well started horses who are only in walk work can begin this movement). 
• A rider who is able to ask the horse to lightly mouth the bit and has the ability to use their hands steadily, has a quiet leg, and has an understanding of weight in the saddle (if only in walk).

So how do you perform the shoulder-in on a well schooled horse?

In three easy steps:

1) sit in the direction of the movement (i.e. if you are on the right rein, with a right bend, going left, sit to the left; if you are on the left rein with a left bend, going right, sit to the right)

2) Bend your horse to the inside as if starting a circle and then lighten the inside rein (by pushing forward towards the horse's ears). ** remember, bend does not occur in the rib-cage and therefore to achieve bend what you need is for the neck to bend to the inside without your horse's head tilting and without the horse escaping through the haunch by swinging it to the outside**

3) Use a very light inside leg to maintain the shoulder-in and to encourage the horse to cross over with his forelegs.

Ok, so now that you know how to do it on a horse that understand quite well what it is supposed to do, how do you perform the shoulder-in on a horse that doesn't know how to do it? And more importantly, how do you help the horse develop into an athlete by using the shoulder-in?

1. For horses that are really stuck in the shoulder and have difficulty bending in the neck, it's best to start schooling shoulder in by first having the horse bend it's neck almost 90 degrees and continue to walk on two tracks (i.e. the front feet and the back feet are both facing the same way and the shoulders are directly in front of the hips). In fact, most horses beginning sideways movements should start this way as it allows the horse to understand that simply because his head is facing a certain direction does not mean the body has to follow. Once your horse is able to do this with a very light contact in the rein and with little-to-no difficulty on both sides of the arena (for approximately the entire long side of the arena, and is able to do it in a slow walk and a more active walk) with his neck at or almost at vertical and with no poll flexion, you can start moving the shoulders off the track by following steps 1-3. If your horse does only one step, this is great! Simply make a small volte (8 meter circle) and try again for a few steps. This exercise can be very difficult for horses that are stuck, so be happy with only a few steps at a time and be sure to reward generously and lighten the aids as soon as the horse crosses his front legs.
2. Once your horse is able to bend it's neck at almost 90 degrees, in both directions, and is starting to understand the concept of shoulders off the track and forelegs crossing (if only for a few steps), you can begin counter-bending shoulder-in exercises and shallow loops in trot (with long strides, not rushing strides, but long strides - especially in the correct bend). To begin, start with a small volte and half way through the volte, change your weight to the outside hip bone, open your outside rein and return to the rail (so you do a small circle with a very distinct counter-bend/neck rein).  You can vary the size, shape, distance, angle of these loops and inter-change them with correct bend, add in a few steps of shoulder in when returning to the rail in counter-bend and on the track before beginning a circle. Your horse should start to feel very maneuverable and as though you could place the head and neck in any direction and move his body in any direction regardless of the placement of his head/neck. This is an important exercise because it improves the shoulder-in, the musculature of the horse, and prepares the horse for half-pass, counter-canter, and flying changes. In addition, it will help your extensions, collections and transitions between piaffe and passage. Just remember that when doing this exercise you must first have the horse's mouth, then you can change the horse's neck position and only when the neck position is where you want it and the horse is giving in the jaw can you pick your direction. 

**Remember: this is the gymnasticizing part of the exercise, therefore the very big neck bend isn't what we're aiming for at the show, but is a great way to lengthen the muscles of the horse and thus make him more flexible and more understanding of the fact that his head is not the source of direction. In addition, if you stick to the exercises above at walk and trot over the course of 2-4 weeks (depending on the stiffness/education level of your horse), your horse's neck will develop much 'lifting muscle' right at the whither (thus the whither is 'higher' and the horse's back is 'up') and will also help develop the shoulder (no more muscle wastage behind the shoulder). You may also notice that your horse's 'hunter bump' begins to disappear or get smaller.**

Once you have steps 1 and 2 completely mastered, you can begin schooling the shoulder-in for competition. Because you have completed the above steps, it will be very easy for you and your horse to get a correct angle, bend and action on your test because the requirements on the tests are actually quite a bit easier than the exercises you have just completed =) Simply ask for the neck bend, sit to the direction of movement (the outside of the bend), use a supporting inside leg (not pressure, but just there) and allow your horse to complete the shoulder-in down the rail (really, it's that easy!). Remember that on the test, the movement is generally performed (if not always) in collection. To achieve this in shoulder-in simply sit up taller, into your seatbones, take a deep breath and think 'sloooow'. Also try and imagine how the collection will feel in your body - especially in your abs and upper thigh. You may also use a 'demi-arret' (a french version of a half-halt - very different from the german half-halt and to be discussed in a future post in detail) to put your horse on his haunch (by lifting his neck - thus using it as a lever) and encouraging the collection in the movement. 

There you have it! A somewhat complete version of the history, misconceptions, purpose and execution of the shoulder-in. Good news is that the shoulder-in is the foundation of so many advanced movements that by completing the above exercises you will have a horse that is totally free in the shoulders, has great  musculature, an understanding of correct collection, excellent bend, and a perfect foundation for beginning more fun exercises like the counter-canter, piaffe, extended trot etc. I have not covered the purpose of the shoulder-in for correcting behaviours like rearing in this 2-part post - perhaps in the future.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, concerns, ideas, comments, anything please post them below or e-mail me at dressage.blog@gmail.com

Happy Riding!