We haven’t done a continuous riding pattern in a while so today we are going to introduce a new one! In lessons with a variety of horse and rider levels this pattern was a very good activity to promote advancement.
The Pattern
This pattern is called the “Diamond Ring”. Now let’s not get too excited, riding this pattern won’t make you rich! But you will improve your horse’s precision in turns and straightness. To put it simply we will be riding a diamond shape inside your arena, or other flat workspace. Prepare by placing landmarks in a large diamond shape. Traffic cones work great, but overturned feed buckets on the ground or jump standards can also make great landmarks. Pretty much anything you can set your eyes on to give you clear focused direction will do.
To Begin
To begin riding your pattern start at the walk to get familiar before picking up the pace. Guide your horse into the pattern, keeping your eyes “glued” to the upcoming landmark. As you approach each landmark add your inside leg a few steps early to get your horse positioned to turn smoothly and precisely at the point of your diamond. Try to make your outside leg pass the landmark at the peak of your turn. I like to handle such turns by using my inside leg up to the turn. Then halfway through, switch to my outside leg to push out of the turn and straighten the horse to continue. Light, even contact on both reins will ensure you have your horse’s head completely straight to the next landmark.
If your horse’s ribcage wants to bulge to one side or the other encourage your horse forward in the walk to stabilize him. I like to use the bicycle analogy here. If your bike is going to slow it will wobble and become difficult to balance. Peddling it forward solves the problem much better than steering sharply and wiggling back and forth to stay upright.
Progression
Once your horse is comfortable at the walk in both directions you can pick it up to the trot. You will need to allow more room for your deeper turns. Only strong, advanced horses will be able to properly handle sharp trotting turns, particularly if you prefer to post the trot. Don’t force them by over pulling your inside rein to speed up your turn. Your inside rein should be used in an opening rein away from the horse’s neck, with your hands always in front of the saddle. Any motion of your hands back towards your body prevents forward motion and will make your horse incapable of keeping a balanced forward movement through the turns. Ride your turns correctly and allow the horse’s responses to sharpen with repetition over multiple rides.
There’s no need to fuss or argue with your horse in a continuous pattern because you have repetition on your side. When errors occur, think on them as you ride and look for improvement with each corner and straight line.
I like to alternate between walking and trotting several straights and turns each. Each interval of walking allows for both the horse and rider to think through the ride, catch their breath and then start again. The addition of the transitions is also valuable all by itself. If you are interested in pushing the transition side of your ride more, you can even add the occasional halt on the straight lines.
Results
Riding this pattern correctly will encourage your horse to develop better straightness and adjustability. It will also help a rider improve timing and use of their “aids” (legs and hands). As a trainer I find this sort of activity very helpful in learning a riding pair’s strengths and weaknesses on each side. It’s also useful for showing riders how much preparation is needed for proper turns. Additionally, though it may not be obvious upon reading this post, the diamond ring can be a substantial workout for fitness. Horses will be challenged to keep themselves prepared for the turns and possible transitions almost continuously. Meanwhile riders who feel under challenged by just getting around the pattern can practice dropping their stirrups or switching between posting or sitting trots.
Applications
Patterns in general have endless applications. Green horses and/or inexperienced riders can practice the diamond ring as a simple steering activity. The land marks give clear focus points to be used and the turns help to maintain control and communication. For the most basic level riding pairs, the goals should be kept very simple; to maintain the same gait while steering.
Riding pairs who are confident in their basic control at the walk and trot should focus on keeping a consistent rhythm as well. This will require improving use of legs and reins to maintain good balance in the horse. If the horse is not yet well confirmed in moving into the bit, it will show here. Moving the horse between the different turns and straight lines will provide plenty of opportunity to work on it!
For The Advanced Riding Pair
In order to consider riding this pattern at a canter, first make sure you and your horse can ride it at the walk and trot proficiently – including without stirrups. Your horse should have no loss of rhythm through the turns and steering should be precise. Additionally, the riding pair should be comfortable and controlled in their normal cantering exercises with or without stirrups.
For riding pairs who meet this skill markers, the diamond ring pattern is a great place to finesse the canter. It should always be kept in mind that the greater the speed, the more difficult tight turns become. You should not have to force turns. If you are riding well, your horse’s ability to turn promptly will improve over time. Forcing the turns will not build improvement, but rather cause tension in your horse and loss of balance. As I recommended earlier, do intervals of canter and lower gaits, allowing time for comprehension and to catch your breath. Especially if things are going awry at the canter, bring it down and address the issue at the slower paces before attempting the canter again.
Seek improvement in each ride, not perfection. Building on your successes will get you to perfection much faster and happier than drilling your horse into the dirt.
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