HOW TO TEACH A REINING HORSE TO CIRCLE

Here's the first step to executing a perfect circle.
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[@lynnettejalufka2682]

Thanks for the diagram! I'm impressed that you could draw a perfect round circle in the dirt.

[@mattmillsreining1]

Haha. Got lucky!

[@turnnburn855]

Ive already noticed improvement on my mare using your tips! love and watch every time. Thank you for all that you do!

[@mattmillsreining1]

This makes my day!!!!! 🤙🏾💯〽️

[@nikkilynne38555]

I am 63 years old riding since 3. That is the best tutorial I have seen yet. Knew there was a good reason I subscribed to your channel. Thank you and keep them coming please.

[@mattmillsreining1]

SO glad you found me! That’s a Lot if experience you’ve got! 👍🏾. More vids coming AND there’s a ton more on my website mattmillsreining.com

[@nikkilynne38555]

Matt Mills I have been privileged to work for some really talented trainers but not all can teach. I concentrate on babies now and try to see all foals in my care leave with a good set of basics and an attitude to learn. Don’t ride much these days

[@probro4048]

Most impressive thing in this video is the perfect circle in the sand on one try lol

[@mattmillsreining1]

It’s something you’re born with or you’re not 🤣

[@abbeyb4237]

I literally thought the same thing! 😂 “Matt even draws better sand circles!”

[@ginanichols5574]

Matt, thank you again for sharing! Your training techniques are stellar!

[@mattmillsreining1]

I appreciate you watching!

[@jodygill8755]

Always a great piece of advice and so easy to see WHY!

[@mattmillsreining1]

Hardest thing is to keep things simple

[@thejourney_1346]

I tried this with my mule today! Very helpful! Thanks!

[@mattmillsreining1]

Outstanding! I like to hear that

[@3Sanibel33]

Thank you, a great tip for doing circles. Great explanation. ❣️🍀

[@mattmillsreining1]

Absolutely!

[@carlyengelhardt5456]

For about 2 years I am saving up for a horse of my own to take my reining hobby farther. I have been riding my friends horse.

[@mattmillsreining1]

You won’t regret it

[@CC-xk6cp]

Hi again MATT Excellent explanation! Your DNA includes the amazing ability to draw perfect circles in the sand! Lol lol! Thx again for another stellar vid. Catcha again soon...

[@mattmillsreining1]

Lol, I prob couldn’t do that again if I was paid to! 😂😂

[@shaylenefancher483]

Great tip! Thank you very much!

[@mattmillsreining1]

Welcome!!

[@ST-lt4ls]

Awesome tip!

[@mattmillsreining1]

🤙🏾💯〽️

[@LadyLithias]

I've only gotten interested in reining (as a spectator) since the lockdown. I was watching some Dressage (I'm only a spectator) and heard that Anky van Grunsven after three Olympic Gold Medals in Dressage had switched to Reining. I thought that was interesting, so I watched the 2018 World Equestrian Games Reining competition (the whole thing) and I became fascinated. I could easily see where someone could find the transition appealing. Dressage seems like micromanagement of the horse, and super uptight in some ways, and Reining seems more of a true partnership between horse and rider. I still love Dressage, but find myself wishing there were more reining competitions that include commentary for newbies like me, so that I might understand better what I'm seeing. I do have one question. One "horse activist" was outspoken about the way that horses hold their heads in Reining. They said it was unnatural and would cause all kinds of back issues, and that it was merely a fad to have horses hold their heads so low. To me it almost seems as if the ones who hold their heads lower are more intelligent, figuring out what the rider wants and willing and able to execute whatever is asked of them. That's how it appears to me, someone who knows nothing about the sport really. So (1) is it natural? (2) is it desireable? (3) does it hurt them? Thanks for your content. You are a total natural instructor.

[@mattmillsreining1]

I’m so happy that you found my channel. So I actually did a video talking about this on one of my horses Carmine. It is very much natural for most of the horses that I have. I say that because we’ve tried to breed “ level top lines “ into our horses. I believe when a horse is completely relaxed and comfortable it will put its head wherever it wants. We do work in collection, yes. It is Not part of the judging system. Horses with higher head carriages are competitive too. With that being said there are good and bad horseman in EVERY discipline. Go back and watch that video on my KZbin channel, I think you will get a visual as well! 🤙🏾🤙🏾💯〽️

[@prayerdog]

I would like to add as a longtime Western Pleasure and HUS exhibitor in horses ..if you watch horses in their natural way from weanlings yearlings or senior age horses watch them in the pasture they're naturally flat with a level Top Line includes their poll to croup, ... When they are relaxed even in excitement they will raise up, but they always lower it back when they're natural and relaxed.. So when you see a horse loping trotting or even walking or freestanding with his head low it just shows how relaxed they are all the way from their ears to their tail.. Remember a quiet horse is a soft horse .. a soft horse is a quiet horse..

[@prayerdog]

*rider..stupid auto correct

[@LadyLithias]

@@prayerdog My mind read it the way you meant it. One of my favorite part of dressage is AFTER the final nod to the judges and the round is over, some, not all, riders allow their Dressage horses to look around the arena and while they look glorious in all their piaffes and passages and whatever, they look awesome once they relax their neck and walk looking around the arena like a happy curious horse, rather than a fancy extension of the person wearing a tophat on top of them. Just my take on it. I just wonder about those whose heads are carried so low that their breath is stirring up dust from the arena. I was mostly curious, because honestly, when I first watched Reining in the beginning of the Pandemic, what really caught my attention was how much more "horse-centric" it was. How the reins are often super slack, and the horses with their head low look like they're paying close attention to the rider, and smart enough to do it without the rider so long as they know what is expected. So far the only narrated, "explain to newbies" reining I've seen is the Tryon World Equestrian Games. Wish there was more. I may never own a horse much less ride one again, but I'm fascinated about the partnerships created with these animals, and love to learn all I can. Thanks again for your comment. I appreciate it.

[@rodneywroten2994]

That was so nice to see Thanks

[@mattmillsreining1]

You bet! 👍🏾💯〽️

[@carlyengelhardt5456]

You should do Q&A video answering all the questions in the comments. Btw unlove watching you video I have been reining

[@mattmillsreining1]

That’s a great idea!

[@elisag2055]

I tried this with my horse and she decided that spinning was what I was looking for 😂

[@emily13514]

Love the videos! Thanks for sharing these tips! Quick question; what kind of dirt/sand is in your arena?

[@mattmillsreining1]

Thanks for watching. I’ve got a screened mortar sand in the covered arena

[@sketchalater4656]

What to do when the horse cuts in? Like say they cut the circle in half, should I turn them to the outside and let them go? Basically, the reverse of this exercise.

[@christinathomas7588]

Cool , sounds simple but i am sure it is not easy to not try to help the horse

[@mattmillsreining1]

The Hardest pet is staying simple

[@kaitlynharrington6957]

I’m wanting to get into reining. How do I start? I’m experienced. Would a internship or loper position help? Y’all need one ? 😅

[@Mckinzie13]

Matt, do you think it would be possible to do a video on collection and how to teach it from scratch? Its really confusing me. I've seen some different exercises but I don't get how it teaches collection.🙂

[@bethzambone806]

I agree. The beginning of collection would be great. I love having different options for my horse's!! Thanks Matt!!

[@Rebelgirl-kv6bd]

Rio is gorgeous 😍

[@mattmillsreining1]

Yes He Is!

[@bprice4034]

Does this work for really green horses also

[@tinamcclenahan8775]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@mattmillsreining1]

💪🏾💪🏾💯〽️

[@sandyelliott3350]

You are so lucky to have all those gorgeous horses to ride. Why is Rio's unside knee wrapped ?

[@carlyengelhardt5456]

I believe that is for when you spin they don't hit their knees together.

[@mattmillsreining1]

Nailed it!

[@SheyeesHorses]

i learned this but instead of leading the horse to the center i just lead him back to the circle again. can you explain the difference or why it is better to hit the center of the circle?

[@mattmillsreining1]

That is the same concept and if it works for you, great. Been my experience that the over- correction in that circle really gets more horses shoulders moving more and gives me more reps guiding.

[@dirkkuerschnerpeasantfield8913]

What do you do when your horse keeps breaking gait and sticking his head up??? My horse gets so pissy, he doesn't view the circle as a release? Thanks, Hope

[@mattmillsreining1]

That sounds like a gas pedal issue! Make sure your horse will go forward off a voice cue or very subtle leg cue. Once they do Stop the pressure. If they slow down, do it again. The horse must travel in its own. Being pissy is usually from a Lack or Release of Pressure

[@hope1930]

@@mattmillsreining1 Thanks, I've been seeing the problem come up in other areas. I'm constantly riding bad too, cause I'm subtly pushing him not to break. He isn't exactly a lazy horse but needs a lot of leadership. When I'm indecisive and worried, then he zones out. I'll try again this week. Thanks again for your reply, Hope K

[@prayerdog]

Fb needs a LOVE click!!! #myfavytipoftheweek

[@mattmillsreining1]

Glad you liked it!