Trouble riding a circle?

 Riding circles can be challenging, especially if you're unsure how your body impacts your horse's movement. By improving your rider alignment and understanding key rider physio principles, you can guide your horse more effectively for smoother, more balanced circles.

If you’ve ever heard your instructor say phrases like “turn your shoulders” or “open your body” but felt unsure how these cues help, you’re not alone. Riding a balanced, smooth circle is a fundamental skill, but it’s not always easy to execute. The key often lies in how you align and move your own body—especially your shoulders, pelvis, and hands—to guide your horse.

Here’s a breakdown of why your body alignment is so important and how small adjustments can make all the difference:

1. Rotate Your Upper Body and Pelvis

When instructors tell you to “turn your shoulders” or “open your body,” they’re encouraging you to rotate your upper body in the direction of the circle. But your pelvis plays an equally vital role. Think of your pelvis as the base of your movement: as you turn it slightly toward the inside of the circle, it aligns your whole body with the direction of travel.

This combined rotation of your upper body and pelvis gives your horse a clear, consistent signal to bend around your inside leg. Without this alignment, your horse may struggle to follow the arc of the circle, leading to uneven movement or resistance.

Pro Tip: Focus on subtle, balanced movements. Avoid over-rotating or collapsing your body, as this can block your horse’s natural rhythm.

2. Natural Rein Adjustments

As you rotate your shoulders and pelvis, your reins will naturally adjust. Your inside rein will gain slightly more contact as a result of your body’s movement, not because you’re pulling on it. Similarly, your outside rein will soften.

This natural adjustment helps guide your horse’s shoulders and keeps them balanced, but it’s crucial to re-establish light contact on the outside rein to prevent your horse from drifting outward. The goal is a subtle and harmonious connection, not a forced or uneven pull.

Important: Resist the temptation to “pull” your horse into the bend. Effective rein adjustments should feel like a natural extension of your body’s rotation.

3. Avoid Blocking or Dropping a Shoulder

One of the most common mistakes riders make is keeping their hands static while trying to rotate their upper body. This can block your pelvis’s natural movement, disrupt your alignment, and even cause you to drop a shoulder or collapse on one side. When this happens, your horse’s balance is compromised, and they may struggle to bend or maintain rhythm on the circle.

Instead, let your hands move softly with your body’s rotation. This fluidity keeps your aids clear and helps your horse stay balanced and responsive. By maintaining alignment and avoiding unnecessary tension, you make it easier for your horse to follow your cues and move freely.

The Big Takeaway

Riding a good circle isn’t about forcing your horse to bend—it’s about aligning your own body so that your horse can move naturally and confidently. By:

• Rotating your shoulders and pelvis toward the inside of the circle,

• Allowing your reins to adjust naturally, and

• Keeping your hands and pelvis soft and mobile,

you create a clear pathway for your horse to follow. The result? Smoother, more accurate circles that feel effortless for both you and your horse.

Need Help Improving Your Circles?

Improving your circles starts with your alignment and movement patterns. Rider physio offers targeted exercises to address common challenges like dropped shoulders, unbalanced aids, or unclear rein signals. By focusing on biomechanics, you can refine your posture and help your horse move with confidence and ease.

If you find yourself struggling with dropped shoulders, unbalanced reins, or unclear aids, the issue may be in your own alignment and movement patterns. The good news? These are things you can improve with targeted exercises and awareness.

Through my rider physio video subscription, you can access specific exercises and in-depth tips to help you:

• Improve your body awareness,

• Strengthen your alignment, and

• Develop better coordination in the saddle.

Ready to refine your riding and create effortless circles? Check out the subscription for expert guidance and exercises tailored to riders like you!