lisa_lou
Well-Known Member
My mare doesnt seem to bend as much as she could when doing circles , so need to practise asking her to but want to make sure im asking her correctly.
what is the correct way to ask a horse to bend round a circle?
- Thread starter lisa_lou
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Tnavas
Well-Known Member
Flex head & neck only enouogh to take on the shape of the circle - inside rein asks with a sponging action, ooutside rein allows for the bend but maintains the contact.
Inside leg is used at the girth to encourage the horse to work to the outside hand and to encourage the inside hind leg to step under the horse more. Outside leg is held back against the horses side to prevent the hindquarters drifting outwards.
Make sure that you sit straight and don't 'motorbike' on the circle. Hips stay parallel with the horses pelvis and your shoulders parallel with the horses shoulder. Look between the ears on a line with the circle.
Start with a big circle that comfortably allows the horse to get the correct shape. Work on this size changing the rein frequently and doing other school movements such as loops and serpentines. These encourage the horse to bend as well.
Try to think along the lines of not going endlessly around in circles or large around the school but to change the rein often and the type of shape you are doing often.
Transition between paces and within the pace supple the horse from back to front and assist in balancing the horse better so other movements become easier.
Inside leg is used at the girth to encourage the horse to work to the outside hand and to encourage the inside hind leg to step under the horse more. Outside leg is held back against the horses side to prevent the hindquarters drifting outwards.
Make sure that you sit straight and don't 'motorbike' on the circle. Hips stay parallel with the horses pelvis and your shoulders parallel with the horses shoulder. Look between the ears on a line with the circle.
Start with a big circle that comfortably allows the horse to get the correct shape. Work on this size changing the rein frequently and doing other school movements such as loops and serpentines. These encourage the horse to bend as well.
Try to think along the lines of not going endlessly around in circles or large around the school but to change the rein often and the type of shape you are doing often.
Transition between paces and within the pace supple the horse from back to front and assist in balancing the horse better so other movements become easier.