Stop Chasing, Start Teaching: The Responsibility Circle

A SMARTER WAY TO BUILD CONNECTION & SELF CARRIAGE

People often ask me, “Isn’t this just lunging?”

No—it’s something very different. Lunging often means chasing a horse around with constant pressure until they’re tired. The Responsibility Circle is about teaching a horse to carry the job themselves, to think, regulate and stay connected.

For people it’s about learning to be clear, by reducing their aids and finding a neutral or active-neutral equitation instead of micromanaging. This allows the horse to become a learner and look to you for answers rather than defaulting to prey-animal instincts or tense obedience.

It’s not just for groundwork. You can use Responsibility Circle concepts while riding.

It’s more than exercise for the body. It's education for the mind.

WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY CIRCLE?

It’s a quiet agreement between horse and human. I send the horse onto a circle then I go neutral. In the beginning at a Course 1 level my 'ask' of the horse is for two things:

• Path – stay on the line or direction I indicated

• Speed – maintain the gait I asked for

My job isn’t to keep the horse going or hold them back. It’s to notice and make a clear correction only when one of those responsibilities isn’t maintained.

THE HORSE'S RESPONSIBILITY

When a horse learns to hold path and speed they move with relaxation and self-control. That means less bracing, fewer spooks and a calmer mind. It creates a way for the horse to “be” with you—thinking, balanced and confident, instead of only reacting when they are being pushed or running away on a circle.

THE HUMAN'S RESPONSIBILITY

I bring clarity, timing and feel:

• Clarity – a clean, confident send whether I’m on the ground or riding

• Timing – steady my equitation as soon as the horse takes the path and speed. This is where learning begins

Even on the ground, equitation matters. Where I look, my posture and my balance communicate intention and guide the horse. Sloppy human equitation creates a confused and tense horse.

SUPPORT VS MICROMANAGEMENT

• Micromanagement – constant chatter. Holding them on the circle, clucking every stride or pulling them back from rushing never letting them find comfort

• Support – brief, specific and followed by release: “You left the path—come back.” “You slowed—get going.” Then don’t nag

A simple rule: don’t correct until the horse is actually off track. Waiting gives them the chance to learn.

WHERE PEOPLE GO WRONG

• Busy hands – fussing with the reins instead of letting the horse learn to hold the path

• Chasing speed – driving every stride instead of teaching them to maintain it

• No clear release – the horse can’t learn responsibility if you never go neutral

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Responsibility Circle is less about training the horse and more about training the person. Learn to step back and give the horse room to learn. Be clear with your intention and body language. Allow them time to think and try.  And celebrate with 'do-overs' as those are the key to progress.

The Leadership to Partnership: Course 1 home study program shows you how to teach the Responsibility Circle and weave its principles and lessons into your daily training both on the ground and riding.

You’re not just teaching your horse what to do but how to be—a thinking, connected horse.

That’s real leadership.

👉 Explore Course 1 today and build the partnership you’ve always wanted.