The curling exercise is another tool to develope engagement of the hindquarters.

 This exercise was invented by the reining trainers to help with yielding the ribcage. As I previously stated, when a horse yields its ribcage, the spine aligns and true collection happens. This reining exercise is done on a circle with the inside rein raised up and the inside leg applying pressure to the ribcage, coaxing the horse to yield. The secret to this exercise is to not apply pressure to the lifted rein and to not lay it on the neck as that asks the horse for something else. Only hold it as a visual aid to the horse and rider.All of the pressure comes from the inside leg. When the spine aligns just as in regular circle work. the ears will be level and the head perpendicular to the ground.This exercise is kind of like circles on steroids.It applies more pressure on the horse than large circles do.My reining friend, Susan, says that the curling exercise is the holy grail of reining, from it , all other training exercises come easier because the horse is balanced and collected. More next time. Happy Gaiting