Circles are brilliant!
The perfectly shaped circle is the only movement with the possibility of total consistency. Absolutely no change – the same, the same, the same. Circles are great for developing acceptance and calmness, and developing rhythm to achieve a sustainable equilibrium:
-They collect the inside hind leg. They teach the joints to bend more. The smaller the diameter of the circle the more bending of the joints and the quicker the steps need to be
-They engage the outside hind leg and teach the horse to take a bigger step
-They strengthen the inside musculature (contracting muscles)
-They stretch the outside musculature (extending muscles)
-They slow the speed naturally (all other things equal) and so help to rebalance the horse
-They help us teach the horse the lateral aids
-They help us to teach the horse the aids to use a positive inside hind.
To achieve the full benefit of circles it is important that they are ridden accurately. Circles are traditionally thought of in terms of quarter circles. That is to say, fix 4 points and then ride a smooth turn between them. A straight line between them would create a square. In actual fact a true circle consists of an infinite number of points.
Transitions
The only constant should be change. Change the length of the stride in all paces. Practice transitions such as walk-halt-walk and halt-reinback- walk.