Understanding Shoulder-In and Renvers

Play Video

My husband, Germán LOVES the shoulder-in to renvers exercise because it supples your horse. This movement is first seen in Third Level Test 2. While this exercise is very difficult to ride well, it improves your horse’s straightness, suppleness, balance, and overall control. It will enhance your horse’s ability to respond to subtle aids, isolate and control their body parts, and smoothly transition between movements.

In this video, I asked my husband, Germán, to break down the shoulder-in to renvers movements and my assistant Caine is demonstrating the exercise as Germán coaches her though it. Before you watch the video, here’s a breakdown of this important exercise:

Understanding Shoulder-In

The shoulder-in is a lateral movement where your horse’s shoulders are brought in off the track with bend in the horses body. This puts the horse on three tracks: one for the outside hind leg, one for the inside hind leg and outside front leg, and one for the inside front leg. This exercise not only improves balance and suppleness but also helps in developing the horse’s engagement of the hindquarters.

How to Ride Shoulder-In:

  • Start by positioning your inside leg at the girth and your outside leg slightly back.
  • Use your outside rein to bring the shoulders off of the rail and your inside rein to help with flexion and positioning.
  • The shoulders should be slightly off the track while the hindquarters remain on the track.

Understanding Renvers

An easy way to remember renvers is to say “renvers = shoulder-in, ‘wrong bend.’ ” Renvers, or haunches-out, is the same positioning as shoulder-in but you change the bend. In renvers, the horse’s shoulders are brought in off the track and the horse is counter bending towards the rail. Renvers is performed on four tracks. This movement further challenges your horse’s balance and engagement by requiring a shift in bend and positioning.

How to Perform Renvers:

  • As you transition from shoulder-in to renvers, switch your leg aids: your outside leg (which was previously back) moves to the girth, and your inside leg moves slightly back to push the haunches toward the wall.
  • The bend should now be towards the outside of the arena

The Importance of the Shoulder-In to Renvers Transition

Practicing the transition between shoulder-in and renvers helps to isolate different parts of your horse’s body, improving control and flexibility. This exercise requires your horse to change the bend while maintaining forward movement, which is crucial for more advanced Dressage work, such as half-passes and flying changes.

By mastering this exercise, you develop the ability to move your horse’s body fluidly from one side to the other, ensuring that your horse remains balanced and responsive throughout. The shoulder-in to renvers transition also sets the foundation for more complex lateral work, making it an essential exercise for any Dressage rider.

I hope this explanation of this exercise helps you and your horse! Give it a try, and don’t hesitate to revisit the basics as you and your horse progress.

Happy Riding!

Amelia

P.S. Not ready for this exercise yet? Check out my Free Patterns and Figures PDF Guide. Inside are my top five exercises and patterns for all levels!

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Hey there.
I'm Amelia Newcomb

At Amelia Newcomb Dressage, I work to develop a trusting and confident relationship between horse and rider. I draw on theories from both natural horsemanship and classical dressage, creating a holistic training approach that adapts to the unique needs of each horse and rider.
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
WhatsApp
RELATED POSTS

Like this article & video?

There are hundreds more! View the entire library here.

FEATURED COURSE

Competition Courses – Blue Ribbon Course Second Level

My Blue Ribbon Course: Second Level, is a proven competition preparation system for mastering USDF Second Level. You’ll learn what the judge is looking for, how to present your strengths and how to handle hiccups. Your confidence will increase and your dreams will be coming true in the show ring.
Amelia Newcomb
LATEST POSTS
LATEST YOUTUBE VIDEO
5/5
NEWSLETTER
Sign Up Now To Get Free Training & Tips In Your Inbox!

🔥 HOT RIGHT NOW 🔥

Explore More with Our Featured Courses and Workshops

We’ve curated a selection of courses, workshops, and masterclasses designed to help you refine your skills and achieve your riding goals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, these offerings are here to support your growth. Explore and take your riding education to the next level!

My Blue Ribbon Course: Second Level, is a proven competition preparation system for mastering USDF Second Level. You’ll learn what the judge is looking for, how to present your strengths and how to handle hiccups. Your confidence will increase and your dreams will be coming true in the show ring.
Everyone knows the phrase- but do you know how to use it to take your riding to the next level? Learn the theory and exercises to utilize 'Inside Leg and into the Outside Rein' to make your horse more ridable with this workshop. When you get your horse connected from inside leg to outside rein it will improve their focus & attention, suppleness, engagement of the hind end, and more!
Dressage is full of figures, patterns, and exercises that we use to train our horses, improve suppleness, and as tools to help them learn what we are asking of them. When you ride figures accurately, your horse becomes on the aids and becomes more supple, connected, and responsive. In this workshop, you will learn about some of my favorite figures and how to use them to help your horse.

Enjoyed this article? 

Saddle Up and Search for Your Next Read!

Free Resources

Unlock Your Potential as a Dressage Rider with Our Free Resources!

Are you passionate about dressage and eager to enhance your skills? Our Free Resources section is here to support your journey, offering a wide range of courses, guides, and tools designed to help you become the rider you’ve always wanted to be.

Access Now!

Free Training & Tips In Your Inbox!

Say goodbye to the fluff and hello to real value. Our newsletter delivers actionable insights, expert tips, and the kind of motivation that pushes you to the next level in your dressage journey. Ready to make strides in your riding? Let’s do this—straight to your inbox. You in?

Join the community

Get weekly training to your Inbox

Enter your name and email below and you’ll be added to my list to get weekly training videos each week. You’ll also be the first to hear about all my news, courses and offers! You can unsubscribe at any time!

PS-Good things are coming. Please be patient with this form, it sometimes takes a moment to submit your details!

ONE TIME ONLY OFFER

Canter with Confidence: Start Your Course

Enter your name and email and your FREE pdf will be sent directly to your inbox. You’ll also be the first to hear about all my news, courses and offers! You can unsubscribe at any time!

PS-Good things are coming. Please be patient with this form, it sometimes takes a moment to submit your details!

ONE TIME ONLY OFFER

Canter with Confidence: Start Your Course

Enter your name and email and your FREE pdf will be sent directly to your inbox. You’ll also be the first to hear about all my news, courses and offers! You can unsubscribe at any time!

PS-Good things are coming. Please be patient with this form, it sometimes takes a moment to submit your details!