Maintaining balance and rhythm can feel easy on a straight line, yet the moment we turn onto a circle or add bending, everything can shift. In this episode, we explore why horses often lose tempo, swing, or self-carriage on curved lines and how small rider patterns can accidentally make the problem bigger. You’ll learn simple exercises that help your horse organise their body, breathe, and move more freely, including the Snail Circle, slow-tempo balance work, pole patterns, and essential body checks for both horse and rider. These tools support relaxation, natural bend, and a soft, honest connection — so your horse can carry themselves with confidence.

• Slow the tempo to help the horse find coordination and self-balance. • Notice your own alignment and how it affects the horse’s rhythm. • Check saddle balance to prevent the horse from compensating. • Ride the Snail Circle for natural bend, rhythm, and self-carriage. • Use polework to create automatic tempo and core activation. • Get your horse physically checked to restore symmetry and comfort. • Explore Masterson and DORN methods for soft, effective bodywork. • Allow the horse time to breathe, organise, and offer true rhythm.

This Week’s Exercise Goal: Help your horse find natural rhythm and balance.

1. Start on a 20 m circle in a quiet, steady tempo.

2. Slowly spiral in, allowing the horse to adjust the rhythm on their own.

3. Hold the smallest circle for a few strides, then gently spiral out again. Feel-checks: Feel the back swing softly under you for several strides. Notice if the horse breathes regularly as the circle changes. Check that the bend appears without pulling.

“Give your horse room to find their balance, and they will always give you more than you expect.” — Sarah

Resources / Links • Contact me to learn more about Masterson and DORN bodywork. • Join the HRHH Facebook community.

Call to Action • Try one or two steps on your next ride and share what you felt. • Reach out with questions or for 1:1 help. • Join the HRHH Facebook community. • Leave a 5-star review if this episode supported your riding journey.

SEO snippet Simple dressage exercises to improve balance, rhythm, bend, and self-carriage with welfare-first training.