Stop “motorcycling” around the turns. Do these exercises to get manageable turns every time.

If you find that you or your horse are continually falling in or drifting out on the circle perform these simple exercises to help maintain the shape and size of a circle. 

It’s all about lateral suppleness. That’s can be simply discribed as bending.

Circle Set Up

In your ring or arena set up four jump rails the shape of a square. Have the rails so the outside of the square is roughly

 a 15 to 20 metre circle. There will be gaps at the end of the jump rails. The rails are used to help keep the horse from fallingin on the circle.

Exercise

Start the exercise by walking on the outside of the rails. Use the corners of the square to mark the 4 points of a circle. Maintian the shape by using the correct aids (inside leg on the girth, outside leg behind the girth, inside rein creating bend and outside rein for support) and make the horse bend evenly throughout from the tips of the horse’s ears to the tip of his tail. Avoid having too much or more bend in the neck and less in the body of the horse.

Continue on the circle at the trot and canter. Use the square as a guide to make the circle better.

Additional Exercises

After you are able to walk, trot and canter on the outside of the square, do a small circle and ride on the INSIDE of the poles. This is an excellent exercise to develop bend throughout the horse’s body. While working on this exercise concentrate on:

1. Your position. Keep your weight centred and equal weight in each stirrup. Eyes up and plan your circle.
2. Your supporting rein. A secure outside rein contact will help the horse maintain the bend and prevent the horse from falling out on the circle.
3. Your horses energy. As you circle on the smaller diametre, you horse may want to slow down and shuffle along. Keep the energy engaged and the horse marching forward.

~Tip~ Plan your circle by looking forward around the path you will follow. Help riders keep the circle round use ground rails that have the centred marked so that you can ‘hit’ the marker in the middle of the rail. Having a focal point will help riders aim and get to the right spot and make their circles better.

Lateral development

The Spiral of Death

Technique – how to do it 

1. At “C” or “A” make a 20 metre circle
2. Establish your rhythm on the circle
3. Gradually close your outside leg and rein to gradually spiral onto a smaller circle.
   • 20 m – 18 m – 15m – 10 m
4. Gradually spiral back out to a larger circle
   • Bring your inside leg slightly back and push inside leg on the girth – active to push the horse gradually sideways back onto the 20 metre circle again.

Improvement and progression – 

• Change rein and proceed in the other direction

Key indicators

• Horse maintains rhythm
• Horse becomes softer and moves over his back
• Horse steps equally with front and hind legs

Things to think about – 

• Rider body and position
• Horse body and position – straight parallel to the way of going
• Crossing equally with front and hind legs
• How your horse responds
  • Equally on each rein (left vs right)
• Rhythm of the horse

Lateral develop leads to a stronger more supple horse.

These exercises are the foundation for future lateral development which will lead to a strong horse that will be sound and fit for any competition.

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