If your horse is diving into the turn, quitting forward motion, or forcing you to pick them up and place every step, you don’t have a turning problem. You have an accountability problem.

That’s exactly where Jordon Briggs’ and Danyelle Campbell’s square drill comes in.

World Champion Barrel Racer, Jordon Briggs and NFR Qualifier, Danyelle Campbell, use this exercise not just to shape a turn, but to build a horse that stays forward, balanced, and responsible for their own feet.

Here’s how and why it works.

Step 1: Break the “Commit and Quit” Habit

One of the biggest issues Briggs points out is what happens the moment a horse thinks turn:

“They commit to the turn… and forward motion disappears.”

Instead of driving through the turn, horses will plant, drop their front end, and get stuck, forcing the rider to reach, lift, and fix the problem mid-turn.

The square drill rewires that.

Instead of one continuous arc, you’re teaching:

• Half turn → go forward
• Half turn → go forward
• Repeat

This keeps the feet moving and prevents that “stuck in the turn” feeling. The goal is simple: forward motion never shuts off.

Step 2: Let the Horse Find the Spot

This is where most riders get it wrong.

It’s tempting to help by lifting, guiding, and physically moving your horse into position. But according to Campbell, that defeats the entire purpose.

“The point is accountability. They’ve got to get there on their own.”

What you should be doing:

• Guide with light cues
• “Bump” with your hand—not shove
• Keep your hand low and intentional

What you shouldn’t be doing:

• Lifting the shoulders to place them
• Over-correcting with your hands
• Forcing the turn

Jordon’s approach is subtle. She releases her horse to the next point and expects them to carry themselves there.

Step 3: Fix the Body, Not the Bit

If your horse is fighting the bridle, tossing their head, or feeling resistant, it’s easy to blame equipment.

But both Briggs and Campbell are clear:

“It’s usually not a bit problem—it’s a body control problem.”

When the front end is down and the body isn’t engaged, the horse physically can’t respond correctly to your hand.

The fix?

• Keep the feet moving
• Prioritize forward motion
• Build softness through the body

Campbell puts it simply: “Forward motion fixes everything.”

If there’s resistance, don’t back off—move through it.

Step 4: Use Your Hands Correctly (Especially Early On)

If you’re introducing the square drill or working with a green horse, go back to the basics.

Campbell recommends:

• Split reins
• Two hands
• Lifting around and slightly up to shape the turn

This helps the horse understand the path without getting stiff or stuck.

Once they’re broke and responsive?
That’s when you can transition to one hand—like Briggs demonstrates.

Step 5: Build Strength That Carries to the Pattern

This drill isn’t just technical, it’s physical.

Think of it like strength training.

“It’s like planking,” Campbell says. “It engages every muscle.”

The benefits:

• Stronger hind-end engagement
• Better front-end elevation
• More explosive turns
• Increased overall soundness

It’s hard work. Horses will get tired. That’s part of it. Because those are the exact muscles they need when it’s time to run.

Step 6: Fix Your Body Position

The square drill doesn’t just train your horse; it exposes you.

Briggs admits it helped her recognize a common mistake:

• Sitting too soon
• Dropping to one hand too early

The drill forces you to:

• Drive your horse forward to a point
• Stay upright longer
• Be intentional about when you cue the turn

If you’re struggling with forward motion, look at your eyes.

Riders who get stuck are often looking down or at the barrel.

Instead:

• Pick a spot on the ground
• Ride to that point
• Then make your move

Where you look is where your horse goes.

The Takeaway

The square drill isn’t flashy. It’s not a quick fix.

But it’s one of the most effective ways to build:

• A forward, responsive horse
• Cleaner, more consistent turns
• And a rider who’s just as accountable as their horse

As Campbell puts it:

“This is part of the craft.”

And just like any athlete—whether it’s a dancer or a timed-event competitor—you don’t skip the fundamentals.

Watch the full video over on Ride TV.

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