Upping the challenge
Riding a shallower 5m loop has all the same benefits of riding a 10m loop, but everything happens a bit quicker, so make sure you’ve mastered the 10m loop before moving onto the more challenging 5m loop. When you’re ready to tackle a 5m loop, try it in walk first. Once you and your horse are happy, try it in trot. You’ll find the changes of bend come up quickly, as you’re only riding to the quarter line rather than the centre line. This size of loop really tests your horse’s ability to make smooth changes of bend without a change in rhythm, as well as checking that you can ride the movement accurately and with clear aids.
Introducing counter-canter
Once riding loops in trot feels easy, try riding them in canter. Riding this movement is a good introduction to counter-canter, as it only requires a few strides of gentle counter-canter. You just need to keep a check on your horse’s quarters — they need to stay straight underneath his body and not fall out at the deepest part of your loop and when you return to the track.