The shoulder-in is a great exercise for any horse, especially a gaited horse that paces. It diagonalizes the footfall sequence to break up pace, encourages a relaxed and soft position, develops balance, suppleness and strength.

The shoulder-in is a great exercise for any horse, especially the naturally gaited horse that paces, because this exercise diagonalizes the horse’s footfall sequence leading to a smoother gait. The shoulder-in is one of several exercises that helps break up a lateral footfall sequence to develop a smoother four-beat gait. Plus, the shoulder-in is a terrific exercise to teach balance.

First of all, let’s look at some of the reasons a naturally gaited horse paces, and then how the shoulder-in can help the horse develop a smoother gait.

Why do naturally gaited horses pace?

Some naturally gaited horses are inherently wired with a tendency to pace. Yet, there is hope for horses like this by teaching the shoulder-in.

Other reasons the naturally gaited horse paces are the horse feels blocked by a tense or stiff rider and riding in a saddle that pinches and causes the horse to tense and hollow its back. In either case the horse is unable to naturally swing its back resulting in pace or stepping pace. Learning a balanced riding position and riding in comfortable, well-fitting equipment is a must.

Adding to tension is a naturally gaited horse ridden with braced contact, a harsh bit, or riding with two-handed contact in a curb bit. The horse tenses its lower jaw leading to stiff, braced movement. Often the horse learns to avoid the contact by dropping their nose behind the vertical. Teaching the naturally gaited horse how to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact is a great way to teach relaxation of the mouth leading to smoother gaits. Learn more: Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit | Naturally Gaited Horse

Another reason a naturally gaited horse paces is a weak back, loading their shoulders, and disengaging the hind leg steps (not tracking up under their body mass with the hind leg steps). Teaching the horse how to perform a shoulder-in on a circle can transform pace into a four-beat walk while also suppling and strengthening the back and hind leg steps.

How can the shoulder-in help develop a smooth gait?

The shoulder-in is a three or four track lateral exercise that helps diagonalize the horse’s foot fall sequence which breaks up the lateral steps of pace. Plus, it relaxes and softens the horse while strengthening the inside hind leg as it steps under its body mass. The hind legs and the front legs cross over, but not at the same time. The shoulder-in is not a side pass, rather it is a lateral bending exercise.

The shoulder-in also helps the naturally gaited horse learn balance by engaging the hindquarters, lifting the back, raising the chest and shoulders. The benefits include strengthening the inside hind leg as it steps under its body mass and helping the horse become soft, supple, flexible, and symmetrical.

The shoulder-in can be ridden in a straight line or the arc of a circle. The shoulder-in along the rail or arena wall is a great way to guide the rider and horse through a few steps. After the rider and horse understand the exercise along the wall, the shoulder-in is also a beneficial exercise on a circle.

Shoulder-in on a circle

The shoulder-in on a circle is an excellent remedy for the pacey naturally gaited horse because it diagonalizes its foot fall and makes the forelegs slow down while the hindleg steps take bigger strides. This relaxes the horse’s back by the alternating right and left hind steps. After a few steps in shoulder in on a circle, the horse can be directed into a straight line as long as the horse maintains a four-beat walk. As soon as the horse begins to pace, the shoulder-in on a circle resumes to break the lateral foot fall sequence.

The best way to introduce the shoulder-in is in hand. Then once the horse understands the movement, it can be performed with a rider at a slow walk. When both the rider and horse are moving as one in a shoulder-in, the exercise can be applied at a slow gait.

Now let’s look at the rein, leg, seat, and weight cues.

What are the shoulder-in cues?

There are many ways to cue the horse for the shoulder-in using the reins, legs, seat and weight aids. Over the years I have learned a few ways which are outlined below. Most importantly, it is most helpful to the horse to remain consistent with the aids after a method is adopted.

Let’s take a look…

Four ways to cue the shoulder-in

Shoulder-in cues version 1

I began riding dressage with non-gaited horses and learned to apply the shoulder-in on a straight line with the following aids.

1. Inside leg on the girth to encourage the bend
2. Outside leg behind the girth to hold the haunches along the bend
3. Outside rein to keep the head and neck from over bending
4. Inside rein to encourage softness and a slight bend

Shoulder-in cues version 2

In 2010, I took my then six-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse to a Larry Whitesell, a gaited dressage clinician, who introduced me to another set of cues for the shoulder-in.

1. Outside leg at the girth
2. Inside leg behind the girth encouraging the horse to step its hind leg under its belly
3. Outside rein keeps the horse from over bending the neck, inside rein applies a slight give-and-take with the fingers to encourage softness and a slight bend
4. The rider’s shoulders turns to face the direction of movement and slightly more weigh is applied in the outside iron

At first this method was counter to my habit of learning the first version. Yet after trying it I was amazed how easy my horse grasped the shoulder-in and how effortless it is for me to ride it.

Larry has a DVD set that demonstrates the shoulder in as well as other exercises. It wasn’t until I rode with him that I realized how a soft and light contact can be. Larry has traveled all over the country to teach riders the benefits dressage has for the naturally gaited horse leading to smoother gaits.

Shoulder-in cues version 3

I learned of another way to cue the shoulder in with my rein, leg, seat and weight aids when I began studying the School of Legerete by Classical French Dressage Master Philippe Karl through his books and DVDs.

1. The rider first teaches the horse how to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact. This is important in order for the horse to relax the mouth, tongue, lower jaw and poll. Learn more: Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit | Naturally Gaited Horse
2. The rider sits slightly to the inside if applying the exercise on a circle and slightly to the outside if applying the exercise on a straight line
3. Inside leg is at the girth to encourage the horse to step under its body mass and toward the outside front leg
4. Outside leg at the girth
5. Inside hand is raised while requesting the horse to relax the jaw, mouth and poll and bend inward enough to see the inside eye
6. Outside hand is lowered at the wither.
7. If the horse leans on the bit, both hands are raised to meet the corners of its mouth with a nudge upward until the horse carries its own head and neck

Visit: Philippe Karl

Shoulder-in cues version 4

In 2024 I began learning and applying shoulder-in on cues as taught by Heather Moffett through her Online Classical Equitation Academy and book, “Enlightened Equitation.”

1. Outside leg from the hip to the foot are drawn behind the girth and follow the belly sway
2. Inside thigh and calf are positioned at the girth also following the belly sway while encouraging forward movement
3. The rider draws their inside shoulder back when riding shoulder-in on a straight line (outside shoulder back when riding shoulder-in through the bend of a corner or on a circle)
4. Outside rein at the wither to keep the horse from over bending the neck,
5. Inside rein lifts to soften the lower jaw and ask for a slight bend to the inside enough to see the eye; when the horse responds, the inside hand can be lowered to the neutral position alongside the outside hand
6. The rider maintains equal weight in the irons and a balanced following position which helps the rider not collapse and allows the horse to lift its back instead of hollow

Visit: enlightenedequitation.com

Why not give each shoulder-in method a try and see which one makes most sense for you and your horse. Then remember to be consistent with your rein, leg, seat, and weight aids to improve your communication with your naturally gaited horse to smoother gaits.

Let me know your thoughts. Send me a message. Visit my website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com. Stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse.