How to ride a perfect 20metre circle

redredruby

redredruby

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I am currently bringing my horse back into work after a period of lameness - we are currently on 20 minutes of walk a day so thought I would take this opportunity to try and learn how to ride a perfect circle.......but how do I do it??

It will be a 20 metre circle in walk, how do you ensure correct bend, forward movement, shape. He is currently working really nicely into a contact but only for short period of time as he has been out of work for so long.

Any hints and tips greatly appreciated!

Thank you! :) :)
 
I was always told that come off track at A ride towards the fence with inside bend touch the fence for few strides then head to X and then go back out to fence touch for few strides then back to A. Or obviously C. Look at a point in centre of circle keep inside shoulder slightly behind outside shoulder that helps keep the right bend. Takes lots of practice and may not be best way but its how i stopped having square circles on dressage sheets. You should never be riding into corner of arena when doing your circles.
 
Thank you! Do you keep your outside leg slightly behind the girth in order to stop quarters swinging out?
 
I was taught to ride a diamond shape, so you touch each point of the circle but are effectively off the track in between those points. Focus on ensuring your body is facing where you want to go - think shoulders and hips and the rest should fall in to place...... thats the idea anyway!!
 
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