20 metre circle

[scout4361]

ok. I was supposed to be doing a 20 metre circle, around and around in sitting trot, but I can't do it for the life of me!!! I get about half way around and instead of bending the horse seems to try to get away from me at the same point half way around every time. Can someone describe what I'm supposed to be doing as far as leg yields goes. I start out and bend nicely around the first bit but as I come across the centre of the ring I cannot keep on the circle and fall out every time. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, so I don't know how to correct it. On a better note I rode bareback last lesson in sitting trot and it was wonderful. What a nice way to learn to really sit and feel the movement of the horse. I hope to get the chance to try it again.

[Cochise]

Sounds like you are doing really well! Well done!
The only thing that I can suggest is a little more outside leg on at the part of the circle where the horse is trying to get away from you on. This helps to guide the horses outside shoulder, where they are swinging it out on. Hope I helped a bit. :)

[Mehitabel]

definitely outside leg on harder from halfway round the circle.
what the horse is doing is called falling out, when they bulge their shoulder out to the outside of the circle and off they go. what you have to remember is that the horse doesn't have to go where its head is pointing, but it does have to go where it's shoulders are pointing.
so to stop the falling out, ignore the head. i know the automatic reaction when the horse runs off to the outside of the circle is to turn the head more to the inside of the circle where you want to go, but that won't work.
you need to keep your outside rein contact steady so the horse can't bulge that outside shoulder outwards, and use the outside leg to block the outwards movement.
look where you want to go, keep your inside shoulder up and back so you are square in the saddle and not tipping in, and be really firm with the outside leg.
if you carry a whip, it can be a good idea to swap it into the outside hand and hold it on the outside shoulder to block the outwards movement.

[cvb]

some school exercises that help with circles

1) ride a square that you circle would fit into - e.g. ride a square in one half of a 40x20 school, turning at B and E. Make sure you ride deep into the corners. This is to emphasize the difference between a normal corner and when you are on the circle. Also riding deep in the corners helps you supple the horse and get them listening to your inside leg, but you don't have to maintain it for the whole circuit, just the corners and ride straight inbetween.

then move onto

2) ride a diamond that would fit inside your circle. i.e. two of the points are A (or C) and X, and the other two are 4 metres up from the quarter markers (assuming the school is set out properly !). Again ride the corner properly, aiming for just in front of the marker so the apex of the turn is at the marker. Ride straight inbetween the corners.

This is harder work than (1) as the square/diamond is smaller.

Now - 'flex' the straight lines on you diamond to make a circle. Ride the circle as 4 quarters, i.e. ride point to point. If you mess up one one quarter, get to the marker for the next quarter and aim to make it better !

Is the leg yield question to help with moving the horse out onto the circle when they fall in ? Your best bet is to try doing the "spiral in and leg yield out" exercise. i.e. gradually make the circle smaller until you are at the limit your horse can maintain. Then use your inside leg to ask the horse to start moving out. One of the common mistakes here is to expect an enormous amount of sidewats movement. Just ask for a step at a time then ride the slightly larger circle for a little bit. One more step, ride straight, one more and so on. This will allow you to balance the horse and yourself in between each sideways attempt. Try to make sure you use your inside leg at the girth - another common one is try to ask the horse sideways by taking your leg back. This will mean you get more movement from the hindquarters and everything goes pear shaped.

If you want a fuller explanation of leg yield, yell as either myself or one of the others will undoubtedly oblige !

[cvb]

p.s. it can also be really good to mark out the four points of the diamond with cones (or something similar). If you have enough, mark a smaller circle inside - then you can ride into the smaller circle and out again, change the rein through the cones and so on.

Somehow the cones help both horse and rider to focus and work harder. You can also use one outside and one inside cone to ride a smaller circle at every cone i.e. 4 small circles in each circuit. Its really hard work but does get the horse and you nicely supply !

[scout4361]

thanks alot!!!! It really made sense about the horses shoulders rather than the head. Now if I can just coordinate my body to do everything at the right time and maintain a trot as well. i think its going to take quite a bit of practice, but at least now i know what i was doing wrong and I'll work on the outside leg and rein.
Even though it can be frustrating, I'm forgetting how comfortable I feel in sitting and rising trot, which is an accomplishment I only dreamed about just a few months ago. I'm really enjoying myself and feel more and more comfortable around and on the horse!!