Shield Proficiency
From Compendium of Worldly Lore
Needs review
Source: Player's Handbook
Description: You are proficient with bucklers, small shields, and large shields.
Prerequisites:
Required for: Improved Shield Bash, Stoneback, Tower Shield Proficiency
You can use a shield (barring tower and exotic shields) and take only the standard penalties.
Special
Several classes such as barbarians, bards, clerics, druids, fighters, paladins, and rangers automatically have Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat. They need not select it.
Normal
When you are using a shield with which you are not proficient, you take the shield's armor check penalty on attack rolls and on all skill checks that involve moving, including Ride checks.