Circling a 3-Year-Old: Building Feel, Control, and Responsiveness
10m
In this session, Ryan Rushing works through circling with a 3-year-old mare, focusing on developing the feel and body control needed for a solid reining foundation. Ryan explains exactly what he’s feeling and how he wants the mare’s body to respond—soft, guided, and connected from her nose to her hip. He breaks down how a young horse should feel in the circle and what to look for when things are going right versus when they start to fall apart. Throughout the ride, he checks how well the mare is guiding off both the rein and his leg, making sure she’s responsive without resistance or confusion. When issues come up, Ryan shows how he addresses them in real time—keeping corrections simple, clear, and effective so the mare can quickly find the right answer.