Masterclass
The top show producer reveals how she uses shoulder-fore to improve flexion and engagement, while maintaining impulsion and power
Showing star Aimee Devane on improving suppleness
on improving suppleness using shoulder-fore
AIM
ENSURING that show horses and ponies are able, and willing, to flex and bend correctly is something to perfect before you get in the ring. At home, I spend a lot of time working on suppleness with the natives I have in. Mountain and moorlands can be strong to ride and some breeds have a tendency to lean on the forehand. Therefore, practising exercises like the shoulder-fore helps the rider establish greater flexion and control, which is especially useful when you’re on a go-round with more than 40 other ponies in the class.
THE EXERCISE
1 It’s best to introduce the shoulder-fore in walk and work towards completing it in working trot, sitting or rising. When you have perfected this then you can work up to canter, but not in the same session.
Starting on the right rein,
2 come on to the long side of the arena and turn as if you’re going to ride a 10-metre circle in the corner.
3 As your horse takes that first step on to the circle, half-halt and ride straight down the long side. Your outside (left) rein supports the horse’s outside shoulder. You may need to adjust the contact on this rein to make it firmer. Use the outside leg to stop the quarters swinging out by placing the thigh, knee and lower leg behind the girth. This leg should remain passive and simply act as a support for the horse. The inside (right) rein keeps the angle and controls the amount of bend — do this by gently opening the hand and softly squeezing the contact — while the inside leg needs to be on the girth to actively push the horse forward and sideways. Note that in the shoulder-fore position, the horse should move the shoulders in off the track, while the hindquarters remain where they are.
‘Shoulder-fore helps establish flexion and control, which is
useful on the go-round’
4 Make sure you position your body correctly with your seat weighted slightly to the inside and your inside hip forward. Look between the horse’s ears and keep your shoulders parallel with the horse’s shoulders. You must maintain impulsion, self-carriage and tempo, meaning that the horse should feel more uphill.