Flatwork / Dressage Beginner 15 min

Stretchy Circle at the Trot

Focus: Suppleness, Relaxation, Topline

Equipment: 4 cones or markers

Set up a 20-meter circle. Pick up a working trot with a steady contact.
Gradually allow the reins to slide through your fingers, giving your horse 2-3 inches of rein at a time.
Your horse should follow the contact downward, stretching the neck forward and down while maintaining the trot.
The circle should remain the same size and shape. The stretch should not cause the horse to fall onto the forehand or rush.
Maintain the stretch for 2-3 complete circles, keeping your leg on to support the rhythm.
Slowly take the reins back to working length, asking your horse to come back to the contact.
Repeat the give-and-retake 3-4 times. The stretch should improve with each repetition.

Throwing the reins away all at once instead of gradually lengthening.
The horse falling onto the forehand and speeding up when given rein.
The circle growing larger as the horse loses balance during the stretch.
The rider rounding their back and collapsing the core when lengthening the reins.

Tip: The stretchy circle tests whether your horse is truly through and connected. A hollow horse will lift the head instead of stretching down.