Shoulder-in is a helpful early type of lateral work for horses, which requires the horse to work on three — or typically 4 — tracks. When ridden accurately it is a superb suppling train and is the primary piece of lateral work that seems in British Dressage assessments.
What’s shoulder-in?
In a three-track shoulder-in, the surface hindleg is on one observe, the within hind and outdoors fore are on a second observe (in step with one another, as per the image above), and the within fore is on the third observe. When seen from the entrance, it is best to have the ability to see three of the horse’s 4 legs when it’s being ridden accurately.
The horse must be bent across the rider’s inside leg with equal bend by means of the physique and the neck. As a rider it is best to have the ability to see your horse’s inside eye in case you look down. It’s simpler to trip shoulder-in on the observe because the fence/wall helps to information the route. Extra skilled partnerships ought to attempt using it on a three-quarter or centre line to gauge their degree of management.
In dressage competitions, a three-track shoulder-in is ridden in trot, however for coaching functions it may be ridden in all three gaits. A extra delicate model of shoulder-in, referred to as shoulder-fore, is helpful for correcting the horse’s pure intuition to maneuver barely quarters-in whereas cantering. A four-track shoulder-in, with the horse’s shoulders positioned even additional to the within so every of your horse’s legs is following its personal observe, can be utilized for suppling functions, however would lose marks in a dressage check.
What are the advantages of shoulder-in?
- Encourages suppleness
- Helps with creating straightness
- Aids with assortment and steadiness
- Improves response to the rider aids
- Encourages hind leg engagement
Right aids for shoulder-in
In a three-track shoulder-in, the surface hindleg is on one observe, the within hind and outdoors fore are on a second observe, and the within fore is on the third observe
The rider’s inside leg is on the girth to create the bend and ship the horse alongside the required observe. The skin leg is barely behind the girth to forestall the hind legs swinging out and preserve bend by means of the physique. The within hand asks the horse to flex to the within and maintain the jaw comfortable. The skin hand asks the horse to attend and signifies that the horse is to proceed down the observe, fairly than turning on to a circle. The rider’s physique ought to stay central within the saddle with the within hip barely again to reflect the horse’s bend and the load deeper into the within seat bone.
Frequent issues and tips on how to appropriate them
Downside: Your horse drifts again to the observe
Correction: In case your horse drifts again to the observe, you could be wanting within the improper route. Verify you’re looking by means of the horse’s ears fairly than within the route of journey as your head is a heavy physique half, and can have an effect on his steadiness.
Downside: An excessive amount of neck bend
Correction: In case your horse bends his neck greater than his physique, test you aren’t utilizing an excessive amount of inside rein. Assist him with a firmer contact in your exterior rein and by conserving each legs on.
Downside: Hindquarters drift out
Correction: In case your horse’s haunches drift out to the surface, your knee and thigh and decrease leg are usually not supporting him strongly sufficient, leading to lack of bend by means of his physique. Verify your exterior leg is accurately positioned behind the girth and in opposition to the horse’s facet.
Downside: Falling by means of the shoulder
Correction: The rider crossing the surface hand over the neck is a standard reason for the horse falling out by means of the surface shoulder. An accurate contact on the surface rein helps the horse’s shoulders and helps to take care of the angle of the shoulder-in.
Downside: Your horse doesn’t step sideways, however continues going within the route of the bend.
Correction: This may stem from an absence of preparation from the rider or a lack of expertise from the horse. Use half-halts to take care of the self-carriage of the horse by means of the train and guarantee he’s listening. If the horse is inexperienced, return to leg yield workouts to re-establish the horse’s understanding of shifting away the within leg earlier than attempting shoulder-in once more.
Downside: Missing bend by means of the physique
Correction: Sitting on the improper seat bone, and collapsing by means of your waist to the within could trigger your horse to lack bend. Attempt to deepen the within seat bone, whereas remaining tall by means of your higher physique.
British dressage rider Joanna Thurman-Baker’s useful ideas
“The largest drawback I discover is folks wanting down the observe whereas using a shoulder in,” explains Joanna. “Though this does maintain you on a straight line, as a result of your head is pointing forwards, your physique need to do the identical, which may block the horse. When you look by means of the horse’s ears, your physique will comply with which permits your pelvis to show, releasing the horse’s shoulders encouraging a softer bend and simpler circulation.
“To maintain your horse on the proper line, maintain giving mild half halts with the fingers on the surface rein and look the place you need to find yourself out the nook of your eye if you’ll want to. Your exterior leg must be gently coming on and off as wanted, to remind the horse to not fall onto its exterior shoulder.”
Is shoulder-in in any British Dressage assessments?
Shoulder-in in trot is present in elementary degree and above below British Dressage, whereas in British Eventing, it first seems at intermediate degree competitions.
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Credit score: Lucy Merrell
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Credit score: Lucy Merrell
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