Walking a Circle the Right Way: Building Forward, Balance & Accountability
Practicing with Purpose with Jordon Briggs & Danyelle Campbell
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6m 6s
In this session, Danyelle Campbell breaks down why something as simple as walking a circle is often harder than it looks—and why it matters more than most riders realize.
Danyelle demonstrates how she wants a horse to walk a circle correctly, explaining that many horses struggle with true balance, forward motion, and self-carriage at the walk. She encourages riders to slow things down, pick up split reins, set their hand at the top of their hip bone, and focus on driving the horse forward with their feet—not their hands.
Throughout the demonstration, Danyelle emphasizes keeping your hand quiet and avoiding micromanaging. By allowing the horse to carry themselves and respond to leg pressure, riders can build better body control, accountability, and foundation that translates to every gait and every part of the barrel pattern.
This exercise highlights how intentional, correct slow work creates stronger, more confident horses long before speed ever comes into play.
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