Exercise 3 CIRCLE TO SHOULDER-IN

Throughout his early training, Nigel was quite rigid through his body due to tension. It’s not unusual for cobs to carry some stiffness when being ridden and this is something that needs tackling in each session to ensure your horse is able to do the work you ask of him. Shoulder-in is an excellent suppling exercise. It’s also a useful thing for any rider to have in their toolkit because there’s always lots happening around the show ring and competition arena, with spectators close to the action (plus their dogs, picnic baskets, prams and so on). Being able to ride a shoulder-in — which leaves the hindquarters on the track, while the shoulders are taken off the track, to the inside — could make the difference between getting past spooky objects in a calm fashion, or not. Especially important, of course, in a show cob who is supposed to show that he’s mannerly and rock solid. How to ride it l1 Go large around your arena in working trot. l2 As you get to the end of the short side, ride a 10m circle in the corner. This sets up your horse for the shoulder-in and you can test if he’s accepting the inside flexion. l3 As you come back to the track, instead of carrying on around the circle, start the shoulder-in down the track using the flexion that you’ve already got to give you the right angle. l4 Check that your horse isn’t tilting his head — if he is, hold the inside rein closer to the neck with your outside leg on. l5 Always straighten up before you reach the end of the track. l6 Try this exercise in sitting trot, as it will help your connection throughout the movement. l7 If you’re struggling to feel if your horse is on the correct three tracks, get someone to stand at the end of the long side and check for you.