Why Your Dressage (and Longe) Circles Turn into Ovals
There are two reasons, and both are easy to correct.
There are two reasons why dressage circles turn into ovals. The first has to do with the horse. The second has to do with the rider.
The Horse
Falling-in on the stiff side is typical for horses who are just beginning their training. All horses start out life this way. It becomes apparent the first time you longe them. They create ovals instead of circles, falling in (making the circle smaller) when longeing in the opposite direction that they are bent (as in the diagram), and falling out (making the circle larger) when longeing in the same direction they are bent. Here is how to fix the problem when longeing. (For information on how to fix this problem when riding, click here.)
Falling-in on the stiff side is typical for horses who are just beginning their training. All horses start out life this way. It becomes apparent the first time you longe them. They create ovals instead of circles, falling in (making the circle smaller) when longeing in the opposite direction that they are bent (as in the diagram), and falling out (making the circle larger) when longeing in the same direction they are bent. Here is how to fix the problem when longeing. (For information on how to fix this problem when riding, click here.)
The Fix
1. Have a helper keep her on the circle at walk and trot. The helper walks on the inside of the circle gently holding the halter or lead rope to keep her on the circle. Don't do this if you think your horse would endanger the helper in any way.
2. Use the longe whip to urge her forward, but do not whip her with it. Raise the whip and flick it behind her to get her attention, or lightly flick it on her haunches. After a while, just raising the whip will drive her forward.
3. Use a helper horse. If you have older horses who already know how to longe and who respond to you appropriately, work with one of them while the young one watches. Horses will imitate other horses, and seeing the older horse working on the longe will make your young horse more willing to give it try. Right now, she has no idea what you are trying to get her to do, and her confusion is turning into stubbornness.
Here is a funny but true story. When our arena was getting built, we set up a round pen in one part of the pasture to work our horses. I started with the lead mare, putting her through her paces, praising her lavishly. The other three stood there just outside the round pen watching. When I opened the gate to release the mare, the other three jockeyed with each other to get in the round pen. One of the geldings won, and trotted in proudly. I put him through the same paces, praising him lavishly, then released him. The remaining two jockeyed to be next. Seriously, they thought getting to work in the round pen was some kind of honor.
1. Have a helper keep her on the circle at walk and trot. The helper walks on the inside of the circle gently holding the halter or lead rope to keep her on the circle. Don't do this if you think your horse would endanger the helper in any way.
2. Use the longe whip to urge her forward, but do not whip her with it. Raise the whip and flick it behind her to get her attention, or lightly flick it on her haunches. After a while, just raising the whip will drive her forward.
3. Use a helper horse. If you have older horses who already know how to longe and who respond to you appropriately, work with one of them while the young one watches. Horses will imitate other horses, and seeing the older horse working on the longe will make your young horse more willing to give it try. Right now, she has no idea what you are trying to get her to do, and her confusion is turning into stubbornness.
Here is a funny but true story. When our arena was getting built, we set up a round pen in one part of the pasture to work our horses. I started with the lead mare, putting her through her paces, praising her lavishly. The other three stood there just outside the round pen watching. When I opened the gate to release the mare, the other three jockeyed with each other to get in the round pen. One of the geldings won, and trotted in proudly. I put him through the same paces, praising him lavishly, then released him. The remaining two jockeyed to be next. Seriously, they thought getting to work in the round pen was some kind of honor.
The Rider
Circles can turn into ovals when the rider has no clear idea how a 20-, 15-, or 10-meter circle spans the arena. The dressage test tells you where to start your circle, but how far into the arena do you ride? How much of an arc do you need to ride?
If you've experienced this problem, you have undoubtedly received lots of advice, most of it dubious. For example, it is common for riders to be told to turn their heads in the direction of the bend, or to think of the circle as four quarter-turns.
These are disasters. Watch any YouTube video of top riders and you will notice that their heads don't turn when they ride circles--and neither do their bodies. Turn your head and you will invariably turn your torso, weight your seat bones incorrectly, and otherwise lose your position.
If you think of a circle as four quarter-turns, you will not ride them smoothly, and the resulting geometry will be off. Why? Because you will make explicit or subtle adjustments as you "transition" from one quarter-turn to another.
The Fix
The solution is to get a clear idea in your head what a 20-, 15-, and 10-meter circle looks like in a dressage arena. You can't ride it if you can't visualize it. You can't ride it if you are guessing where the circle line lies in the arena. Compounding the problem is the fact that the dressage letter markers create illusory "boxes" that you will try to fit your circles into, which means that your middle circle will be an oval and the others will be square. I explain and illustrate these illusions in my Dressage Today article.
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins February 4, 2016; updated Jan 23, 2020; Updated May 28, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Training and Riding tips for Everyone
Tips for Improving Your Dressage Riding and Dressage Scores
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
Circles can turn into ovals when the rider has no clear idea how a 20-, 15-, or 10-meter circle spans the arena. The dressage test tells you where to start your circle, but how far into the arena do you ride? How much of an arc do you need to ride?
If you've experienced this problem, you have undoubtedly received lots of advice, most of it dubious. For example, it is common for riders to be told to turn their heads in the direction of the bend, or to think of the circle as four quarter-turns.
These are disasters. Watch any YouTube video of top riders and you will notice that their heads don't turn when they ride circles--and neither do their bodies. Turn your head and you will invariably turn your torso, weight your seat bones incorrectly, and otherwise lose your position.
If you think of a circle as four quarter-turns, you will not ride them smoothly, and the resulting geometry will be off. Why? Because you will make explicit or subtle adjustments as you "transition" from one quarter-turn to another.
The Fix
The solution is to get a clear idea in your head what a 20-, 15-, and 10-meter circle looks like in a dressage arena. You can't ride it if you can't visualize it. You can't ride it if you are guessing where the circle line lies in the arena. Compounding the problem is the fact that the dressage letter markers create illusory "boxes" that you will try to fit your circles into, which means that your middle circle will be an oval and the others will be square. I explain and illustrate these illusions in my Dressage Today article.
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins February 4, 2016; updated Jan 23, 2020; Updated May 28, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Training and Riding tips for Everyone
Tips for Improving Your Dressage Riding and Dressage Scores
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
