Place a cone 5 meters from the rail at the midpoint of the long side.
Establish true canter on the right lead, tracking right.
At the first letter of the long side, begin a gentle loop off the track toward the cone.
Pass the 5-meter cone in counter-canter (you're on the right lead but curving left).
Return to the track at the last letter of the long side, back in true canter.
The loop should be smooth and gradual, not a sharp V-shape.
Repeat 3-4 times, then change leads and practice on the other rein.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The horse swapping leads at the deepest point of the loop.
The loop becoming too shallow (only 2-3 meters) because the rider doesn't commit.
Losing the three-beat canter rhythm during the counter-canter portion.
The horse becoming tense and tight in the back through the loop.
Variations & Progressions
Deepen the loop to 10 meters for a more demanding counter-canter exercise.
Chain shallow loops on both long sides without changing leads.
Add a flying change at the end of the loop back to the track.
Tip: Maintain a slight flexion toward the lead throughout the loop. The horse's body stays almost straight; only the flexion tells it which lead to maintain.
