Flatwork / Dressage Intermediate 20 min

Shallow Loop on the Long Side at the Canter

Focus: Suppleness, Straightness, Bend

Equipment: 3 cones or markers

A shallow loop comes off the track 5 meters and returns. Place a cone 5 meters from the rail at the midpoint of the long side.
Track left along the long side. At the first quarter marker, begin a gentle curve inward toward the cone.
Pass the cone at the midpoint, 5 meters from the rail. The curve should be gradual, not a sharp turn.
After the cone, curve gently back to the rail, arriving at the third quarter marker of the long side.
The horse maintains the same bend throughout — you don't change the bend for this shallow loop.
Ride the shallow loop 3-4 times on each rein at the canter, focusing on a smooth, flowing arc.

Coming too far off the track (more than 5 meters) or not far enough (less than 3 meters).
Changing the bend at the midpoint instead of maintaining the original bend.
The loop having a sharp angle at the departure and return points instead of smooth curves.
Looking at the cone instead of ahead to the return point on the rail.

Increase the depth to 10 meters, requiring a change of bend at the midpoint.
Ride a shallow loop at the canter, which introduces counter-canter in the middle portion.
Chain shallow loops on both long sides for a continuous flowing exercise.

Tip: Shallow loops are excellent for introducing counter-flexion and counter-canter in a gentle way.