Arabian doing four track shoulder-in
What Work-In-Hand accomplishes from the ground, the four track shoulder-in accomplishes when mounted. Like work-in-hand, the shoulder-in offers many benefits. I must agree with the classical riding master and inventor of the four track shoulder-in, Francois Robichon De La Gueiniere who said “This exercise has so many benefits that I regard it as the alpha and omega of all exercises for the horse which are intended to develop complete suppleness and perfect agility in all its parts.”
The four track movement allows for more flexion in the body and preparation for collection as the hip lowers and flexes when the hind leg comes up under the belly and crosses the outside hind leg. Thus in the four track shoulder-in, the horse has a degree of collection without intervention of the rider’s hands and lightness ensues. The four track shoulder-in is the cornerstone of classical dressage which promotes maximum suppleness of the horse and assures lightness in his movements.