When you start horseback riding, you need to learn a variety of technical terms, which can be confusing and overwhelming for beginners. Especially during lessons, you often need to change your riding style according to commands, which may make beginners feel anxious about how their riding should change.
This article explains the two common techniques you learn relatively early: riding in circles (輪乗り) and turning (巻き乗り).
What are ‘Riding in Circles’ and ‘Turning’?
How is the riding arena divided in your riding club? Some clubs have specific areas for different skill levels within a large arena, while others schedule lessons by time slots for different classes.
Many participants are involved in group lessons, riding in shapes like squares or circles, and as skill levels improve, they change direction on command or practice crossing the center.
Have you heard of the terms ‘riding in circles’ and ‘turning’ during lessons?
‘Riding in circles’ refers to walking the horse in a large circle, creating a circular path.
‘Turning’ means drawing a circle along the horse’s path and returning to the original track.
Differences Between ‘Riding in Circles’ and ‘Turning’
The difference between riding in circles and turning mainly involves the size of the circle and the number of rotations.
For riding in circles, the diameter is typically more than 10 meters, while for turning it’s between 6 and 10 meters. When riding in circles, once the command is given, you must continue until the next command, whereas turning involves completing just one circle.
Though both involve drawing circles, it’s important to listen carefully to instructor instructions and guide the horse properly.
How to Perform ‘Riding in Circles’ and ‘Turning’
The methods for riding in circles and turning involve carefully controlling the horse by:
- Ensuring the horse walks firmly
- Opening the inner rein
- Adopting an inside position
- Controlling with reins and legs
In horseback riding, it’s crucial to make the horse walk confidently, which helps increase motivation and focus. When performing circles or turns, start by ensuring the horse walks well. Because the horse feels constrained and can lose balance, if you bend your body to match the circle while walking casually, it may be difficult to maintain balance and support your weight.
Next, you open the inner rein to start guiding the horse into the circle, indicating that you are deviant from a straight path. By shifting the horse’s direction smoothly, the horse understands that it’s not traveling straight ahead.
In adopting an inside position, you help the horse stay upright and prevent it from leaning inward. Switch the guiding rein to the horse’s neck and use the bit to control, preventing the horse from turning inward too much. Meanwhile, control the horse with your inside leg to prevent it from veering inward.
Finally, control the horse with the reins and legs, especially if the horse is not following the desired circle precisely. Redirect the horse to the correct position by maintaining the inside rein and using your legs and outside rein if needed.
These are the techniques for riding in circles and turning. For riding in circles, continue the sequence until the next command; for turns, complete a full circle and then change direction as needed when returning.
Important Points When Riding in Circles and Turns
There are three main points to keep in mind when performing circles and turns.
The first is to ‘maintain your pace’. Since the horse’s body can feel constrained, its pace might slow down, making it easier to lose balance and lean inward. Always verify that the pace remains steady during the exercise.
The second is to ‘control thoroughly’. Horses are smart and remember their previous actions. Once a horse begins a circle or turn, it might try to anticipate the behavior, sometimes attempting shortcuts. Always maintain control until the exercise is complete.
The third is for the rider ‘not to lean’. Many beginners lean their bodies when turning, which can help. But, for novices, it’s better to first master the basics of control using reins and legs without leaning.
Summary
How was that?
Riding in circles and turning are not just about moving the horse forward—they are also about giving directions to the horse. Practice clearly communicating your desired movement with reins and legs, imagining the path you want the horse to take.
This is the first step toward being able to move freely within the arena in any direction you choose, and riding in circles and turns is an essential skill for beginners.