TRAINING 111 



2. Suppleness of the hindquarters, obedience to the 



leg, and consequently the engagement of the 

 hindquarters. 



3. Flexibility of the spine, which harmonizes the 



forehand and hindquarters. 



(Part left out merely explanation of above.) 



The " shoulder-in " is therefore the synthesis of all 

 the gymnastic movements that one can demand of the 

 horse, and it is, as La Guerimere used to say, " the first 

 and last of all the lessons one can give a horse." Its 

 execution is easy, and the results excellent and rapid. 

 It is necessary, as in the case of the side movement, 

 to avoid carrying out the " shoulder-in " on the track 

 near the wall, as the horse is always attracted by the 

 track, tries to get back to it, and only bends his neck 

 instead of yielding his shoulders, which is contrary 

 to the end one has in view. 



The " shoulder-in " is taught at first on the circle, 

 and the rider gradually trains the horse by taking him 

 away from it for a few steps : he then pats him and 

 recommences again further on. 



When the horse understands what is wanted of 

 him, and carries out the movement all right at the walk, 

 it is repeated at the trot. 



For the proper execution of the movement, it is 

 necessary that the hand which keeps the shoulder in, 

 should act fixedly on one rein, held short, and the rider 

 should especially avoid drawing the rein backwards. 



The horse should be frequently exercised in the 

 shoulder-in, and should be worked alternately on one 

 shoulder, and then the other, the rider being careful 

 between each change to walk for a few paces on a 

 straight line. These suppling exercises should only 



