Get Your Horse Focused with the Safety Circle

Play Video

Today’s exercise is the Safety Circle. This is a wonderful exercise if your horse is tense or nervous, or if your horse dislikes one particular area or corner in your arena. When I was younger, I started a lot of young horses, and I found that using the safety circle was the best way to build confidence (both for her horse and the rider) and to get your horse focused and on the aids. We all know that forcing your horse towards something they are afraid of simply does not work!

Most horses, have a particular corner or side of the arena that is the “spooky area.” It could be the side of the arena near the road, the judge’s booth, an open door, or a tree. Since horses are prey animals, their instincts are what keep them safe. Forcing them to go directly to the scary area doesn’t work, so instead, you can use the Safety Circle exercise and gradually work your way around the arena.

Here’s how to implement the Safety Circle: Start by riding a circle in the middle of your arena or in the area of the arena where your horse feels most comfortable. The goal is that you take the relaxation and confidence that you have in that ‘safe space’ and use the safety circle to bring that feeling to the rest of your arena.

On the safety circle, ask your horse to bend around your inside leg and look towards the inside of the arena. This helps shift their focus from external distractions to you, their rider. As you ride through the circle, pay attention to your horse’s ears and body position. If your horse’s ears are pricked and looking around, it means they’re not fully focused. Keep encouraging with your inside leg and rein to ask them to look inside and bend to the inside.

Here are the key points you want to focus on:

  • maintaining the bend around the inside leg
  • steady rhythm with no speeding up or slowing of tempo
  • breathing steadily to calm our own nerves

If you find that you are still struggling to get your horse’s attention, make the circle smaller by spiraling in.

Once you have your horse relaxed and focused on your safety circle, gradually start expanding the circle, incorporating short straight lines (just a few strides will do it!) before circling again. You continue to move down the arena making these oblong circle shapes until you can use the whole arena with your horse staying calm and focused. If at any moment you feel like you’re losing their attention, don’t go any bigger until you get it back. Then continue on moving around the arena.

Happy Riding!

Amelia

P.S. Need more help getting your horse relaxed and confident? Groundwork is a great way to build confidence, trust, and communication with your horse. Check out my Free Ground Manners PDF Guide to test you and your horse’s groundwork skills!

 

 

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Hey there.
I'm Amelia Newcomb

At Amelia Newcomb Dressage, I work to develop a trusting and confident relationship between horse and rider. I draw on theories from both natural horsemanship and classical dressage, creating a holistic training approach that adapts to the unique needs of each horse and rider.
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
WhatsApp
RELATED POSTS

Like this article & video?

There are hundreds more! View the entire library here.

FEATURED COURSE

Mindset Workshop

Learn how to become a mindful rider with proven techniques that will help you control your thoughts and emotions to ride with confidence. If you feel afraid, nervous, worried people are watching you, unable to get over a fall, or worried you’re not good enough- this course is for you. Don’t allow your mind to limit you.
Amelia Newcomb
LATEST POSTS
LATEST YOUTUBE VIDEO
5/5
NEWSLETTER
Sign Up Now To Get Free Training & Tips In Your Inbox!

🔥 HOT RIGHT NOW 🔥

Explore More with Our Featured Courses and Workshops

We’ve curated a selection of courses, workshops, and masterclasses designed to help you refine your skills and achieve your riding goals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, these offerings are here to support your growth. Explore and take your riding education to the next level!

Learn how to become a mindful rider with proven techniques that will help you control your thoughts and emotions to ride with confidence. If you feel afraid, nervous, worried people are watching you, unable to get over a fall, or worried you’re not good enough- this course is for you. Don’t allow your mind to limit you.
Establish trust and communication with your horse with Groundwork Essentials. Learn to read body language and redirect attention in as little as 5 minutes per day. Simple, practical, and effective exercises to get any horse relaxed and focused.
Everyone knows the phrase- but do you know how to use it to take your riding to the next level? Learn the theory and exercises to utilize 'Inside Leg and into the Outside Rein' to make your horse more ridable with this workshop. When you get your horse connected from inside leg to outside rein it will improve their focus & attention, suppleness, engagement of the hind end, and more!

Enjoyed this article? 

Saddle Up and Search for Your Next Read!

Free Resources

Unlock Your Potential as a Dressage Rider with Our Free Resources!

Are you passionate about dressage and eager to enhance your skills? Our Free Resources section is here to support your journey, offering a wide range of courses, guides, and tools designed to help you become the rider you’ve always wanted to be.

Access Now!

Free Training & Tips In Your Inbox!

Say goodbye to the fluff and hello to real value. Our newsletter delivers actionable insights, expert tips, and the kind of motivation that pushes you to the next level in your dressage journey. Ready to make strides in your riding? Let’s do this—straight to your inbox. You in?

Join the community

Get weekly training to your Inbox

Enter your name and email below and you’ll be added to my list to get weekly training videos each week. You’ll also be the first to hear about all my news, courses and offers! You can unsubscribe at any time!

PS-Good things are coming. Please be patient with this form, it sometimes takes a moment to submit your details!

ONE TIME ONLY OFFER

Canter with Confidence: Start Your Course

Enter your name and email and your FREE pdf will be sent directly to your inbox. You’ll also be the first to hear about all my news, courses and offers! You can unsubscribe at any time!

PS-Good things are coming. Please be patient with this form, it sometimes takes a moment to submit your details!

ONE TIME ONLY OFFER

Canter with Confidence: Start Your Course

Enter your name and email and your FREE pdf will be sent directly to your inbox. You’ll also be the first to hear about all my news, courses and offers! You can unsubscribe at any time!

PS-Good things are coming. Please be patient with this form, it sometimes takes a moment to submit your details!