Shoulder-In, Secret of the Equestrian Art: Its Application to the Training of the Saddle Horse and the Jumper - Softcover

De Salins, Alexis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1948717751 ISBN 13: 9781948717755

Publisher: Xenophon Press LLC, 2025

Synopsis

Discover the timeless cornerstone of classical dressage. In Shoulder-in, the Secret of the Art of Equitation, Commandant Salins lifts the veil on one of the most subtle yet transformative movements in the rider's repertoire-the shoulder-in. More than a mere lateral exercise, the shoulder-in is revealed as the key to balance, suppleness, and true harmony between horse and rider.

Drawing on centuries of the French equestrian tradition, de Salins explains how the shoulder-in refines communication, develops the horse's athleticism, and unlocks the path to the high school of riding. Through detailed principles, clear aids, and a deep understanding of equine biomechanics, he shows how this single movement embodies the essence of lightness and collection.

Whether you are an aspiring rider, a dedicated trainer, or a scholar of classical horsemanship, Shoulder-in offers a rare window into the living art of the manège. Commandant de Salins' insights will inspire you to see this "secret" not as a trick but as a philosophy of riding-one that elevates the partnership between horse and rider to its highest form.

About this title

About the Author

Commandant Alexis de Salins was a distinguished French cavalry officer, riding master, and author active in the early twentieth century. Trained in the great military tradition that produced generations of horsemen at Saumur and the École de Cavalerie, de Salins embodied the final flowering of the classical French school before the disappearance of the horse from military service.Rooted in the lineage of François Baucher, General Alexis L'Hotte, and Captain Étienne Beudant, de Salins sought to reconcile military discipline with the suppleness and finesse of the manège. His seminal work, "Shoulder-In, The Secret of the Art of Equitation" ("L'Épaule en dedans, Secret de l'Art équestre,") distills a lifetime of observation and practice into a single central principle: that the shoulder-in is not merely a lateral movement, but the key to balance, lightness, and perfect communication between horse and rider.Through his writings, de Salins stands as a bridge between the rigor of the cavalry riding schools and the humane, reflective spirit of modern classical dressage. His vision of equitation as both a science and an art-grounded in empathy, discipline, and respect for the horse-continues to inspire riders and teachers across generations.

Edition details

• Publisher: Xenophon Press LLC
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1948717751
• ISBN 13: 9781948717755
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 138