411 | Simplifying the Shoulder In

Does the thoughts of riding shoulder in leave you feeling less than confident in your riding abilities.  Are you a little unsure about the angle, the bend, and the degree of collection required in order to successfully ride the movement? Shoulder in is super for encouraging suppleness and collection in your horse. However, if ridden incorrectly, things can quickly begin going the opposite way of your desired results...

Shoulder in is a great movement to begin really flexing and strenghtening your horse.  However, for many riders it seems far too complicated to even consider riding.

Shoulder in is a lateral movement and when ridden correctly, will entail your horse bending around your inside leg, with the shoulders at an approximately 30-degree angle to the side of the track or arena. With the shoulders in, you will then ask your horse to move forward on the line, moving away from the direction he is bent.  It is also important to mention that the bend should be consistent from head to tail, not broken or over-bent in places.

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Additional Resources for Equestrians

• 1 Exercise Mulitple Ways - Free Plan
• Increasing Your Horses Suppleness
• A Simple Exercise for Straightness
• Leg Yielding to Refine Your Asking Aids in the Saddle
• Solving Leg Yielding Problems
• Using Lateral Work to Improve Your Walk
• Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & fitness
• Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorses)