How to ride Circles , Bend and Flexion with Kirstin Kelly Equestrian

[@heccyd3055]

The head shots makes alllll the difference! Thank you

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Heccy D yes I must do more videos with them , thanks fir your nice feedback

[@juliegipner5185]

Totally agree it is such great way to show precisely what you mean. Love this! Such a great training aide

[@MyNicnak]

Love the explanation and head cam shots

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Nic Wilson thanks , I’ll try and get more of them in my videos . Seems everyone likes them

[@MyNicnak]

Kirstin Kelly Equestrian its just easier to grasp what you are saying if we can see what it should actually look like from the back of a horse. And thank you for a good few minutes if the video without teasing us with a few seconds and telling us to buy my DVD if you want to see more!

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Nic Wilson thanks, I’m all about giving value to everyone, everywhere 😁

[@rajeevbhardwaj8514]

Excellent , quite informative and useful especially for new entrants, thanks

[@CarolynHodges]

This describes my mare to a tee! Thank for the great explanation, aids and visuals of how to help straiten her.

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

So glad you enjoyed the video Carolyn

[@33CHRISTINA33]

This is such a great video and the various video angles are so incredibly helpful! Thank you for making such quality content🐴💕💯

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Christina Shrigley thanks so much for the awesome feedback. Have you checked out my website where I have over 60 videos and resources. www.kirstinkellyequestrian.com

[@equestanton1017]

Nice! I liked the use of the aerial shots.

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Thanks,

[@equestanton1017]

Thank-you rather! I think you should get someone interested in helping you with a drone, I want to see everything from that angle, shoulders in, out, half pass, leg yield.......I think the use of the outside rein and leg is well demonstrated here. I think It's something a lot of riders particularly self taught riders in countries that might not have access to trainers from start never get, the use of the outside rein and how to create bend in body rather than the horse losing balance and falling out in corners, circles and turns. This should also be taught early on in basics but quite often is not, like half halts, nor an explanation of the mechanics behind a correct supple balanced turn unless the trainer is dressage orientated. So riders don't quite get it until they are faced with a pirouette lol and some just never are. The point is though in any discipline and in schooling. It makes corners more effective as the horse can still be engaged behind so impulsion and balance is not lost, as essential in show jumping, dressage or eventing. I know it's just semantics and I know full well what you mean but do think perhaps rather than "shutting doors" which might cause some consternation lol it might be termed "support" the horse needs so you're not blocking the horse but showing them how with subtle supporting contact and leg changes the way to do it better?

[@ninadeweerd721]

Hi Kirstin, thanks for your wonderful video’s ❤. I am a beginner rider and often get comment on my flexion on a corcle. I am told to hold my reins firmer and to ask more flexion with the inside reign. I am still very confused about the correct position of my hands on a circle, it seems when I ask more with my imside reign my hands aren’t level. Could you explain where and how my hands should be please? Thanks a lot it would realy mean a lot. Ps sorry for such a basic question

[@imzadi83fanvids7]

Interesting. I think I might be getting confused with using a squeeze on the outside rein to turn while giving the horse room to move out into a larger circle. It's all so confusing.

[@jessicadawn722]

Are there any changes in these principles for riding at the canter? My mare seems to bend and flex at the pole decently in both directions at the trot but when we ride the canter she feels stiff in both directions, her head is higher and her body is straight. She feels like a motorcycle through her turns, leaning instead of bending. I try to stay upright through my turns and keep good contact on my outside rein but it just feels like a fight...

[@The.lamya.a.a]

How to maintain him in the trot and not to stop ? Did she give him little kick before each and every stride ? How to maintain the rhythm ? Does she squeeze with outside leg on the girth ?

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

In a perfect world , the horse should go forward until you ask him to change pace . In the normal world the horse will often want to slow down if he is a lazy type , then the rider would let the legs squeeze only when they need a bit more engine . Rhythm comes by hearing a beat in your mind and trying to relax and ride each step in that beat , bracing your obliques ( core) when they go too fast or a little cluck or squeeze with both legs if they slow down . If the horse is drifting out then you’d squeeze with your outside leg behind the girth Hope that helps 😊

[@skylarashwell1357]

How do I get inside flexion without turning inward?

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Hi Skylar, If your horse turns in when you ask for flexion, try having a secure contact on the outside rein, also try lifting the inside hand up not opening it or pulling it back. Two good videos to watch on my channel are How to use your hands as it shows via GoPro footage how there are different ways to use the reins, also the video on how to flex the horse. Hope that helps Kirstin

[@skylarashwell1357]

@@KirstinKellyEquestrian Thank you!

[@alaitain]

Why spinning the Horse ? What's the purpose ?? Does the Horse get dizzy , ( like human s ?

[@Florencejordaneast]

Alaitain it’s part of their excersize x it’s good for them! It stretches them and helps them. And no they don’t rlly get dizzy x

[@sr14225]

It's to work on the proper bend so that they are using their body correctly and are balanced. This makes them more supple, and it's basically like yoga for horses.

[@DARKhorses73]

Nice hands 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Thanks 🙏

[@medicareworkbooks7702]

I know this is a 2-year old video but I've just seen it. It's good and helpful but it's VERY HARD TO HEAR YOU. Please get a better mic or set it louder. Thanks.

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

Sorry about that. Have you watched my latest videos, the sound is much better

[@RaniTanny]

I REALLY want to learn, bring open to learn...but 😢 I just can't learn from anybody using force to pull a horses head BTV!! And tightening a noseband like thin. Ugh😢

[@joaniejones5114]

You lost me seconds in as a beginner

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

That’s a shame Joanie, what part didn’t you understand

[@tomkelly50]

I can see no difference in the horse from start to end. It all looks exactly the same. Explanation of what the rider is actually doing would be at least insightful. What does up hill have to do with riding in a flat area? Very confused.

[@isabeauamethyst3439]

@@tomkelly50 Uphill refers to the movement of the horse, not the level of the ground. When the head is down/engaged and on the bit correctly with balanced flection and the horse is straight and moving forward, his hind quarters are able to be engaged and he starts to ride uphill. It refers to the power and movement of the horse. Engaged high quarters, neat flexion and forward movement with the horse straight and balanced equals uphill movement. Focus more on the balance and pace of the trot/canter in the video than the legs. It becomes more fluid and neat, and focus heavily on the corners, the horse does not lean out on the outside shoulder and does not fall in on the inside shoulder either. I hope this helps.

[@isabeauamethyst3439]

@@tomkelly50 have a look at this video if the link will work. It is the perfect example of the comparison that this video is showing. Riding uphill, this 20ish second video will explain it for you. instagram.com/reel/CODeA2PHKle/?igshid=saarqaktgfs0

[@ME-jq3hm]

Jeez she's goosing him with her spur every single step

[@KirstinKellyEquestrian]

My videos are everyday riders , not professionals. The aim is to teach normal riders on imperfect horses how to ride an exercise , there are lots of videos of how to ride but often they are professional riders on beautifully schooled horses that make everything look super easy . I am thankful my rider gave up her time to help me and other riders and that we show even green riders that you can get out on your horse and make improvements.