The sure-fire route to improving your horse’s way of going
Don’t be fooled into thinking serpentines are too basic an exercise to use when schooling. They’re a sure-fire way to improve your horse’s suppleness, focus and way of going — as long as they’re executed correctly
ASERPENTINE IS A series of half circles joined by straight lines. It sounds simple — yet many ride them incorrectly. Serpentines are a great way to improve your horse’s rhythm, balance, straightness and suppleness. “This movement is designed to enable the rider to demonstrate their horse is even in the contact and equally supple on both reins,” explains dressage judge Alex Gingell. “The horse’s way of going and showing a seamless change of bend is paramount.” Riding serpentines also helps you to identify areas of weakness in your horse’s schooling. The frequent changes of bend encourage alternate contraction and relaxation of the main muscle groups your horse uses when he bends. This will highlight which rein your horse finds easy and which is less comfortable, and also help you to develop your coordination.
How to ride a serpentine
It’s important to note that each of your three loops must be the same size (see diagram, left) — and it’s harder to do that than it sounds. As with any schooling movement, you should ride the serpentine equally on both reins. As you ride the exercise, note which way your horse finds easy and which he finds a little more difficult.
1 On the right rein in working trot, begin your serpentine as you ride past A.
2 As you approach the midway point between K and E, ask for right bend and turn across the arena.
3 Straighten your horse for three to four strides just before crossing the centre line.
4 Use this space to half-halt and rebalance your horse before asking for left bend.
5 Ride your next loop to the left, briefly touching the track at B for approximately one horse’s length.
6 Finish your left turn and ride straight across the school, straightening your horse for a few strides as you cross the centre line.
7 Ask for right bend and start your final loop, heading towards H.
8 Your serpentine is complete as you pass C.
Your aids
First and foremost, your focus should be on the quality of your horse’s trot. There should be clear energy coming from behind, through to an elastic contact with your horse’s head vertical and his poll being the highest point of his body. Your horse’s steps should be active and at least tracking up (this is where the hind footfalls land in the front hoof prints). The muscles through his back and over the topline should be soft, and working evenly on either rein. Each time you cross the centre line, the trot must remain rhythmical and you should show a clear and smooth change of bend. Focus on your position as you ride this exercise, making sure you’re sitting correctly in the saddle and looking up in the direction you’re going. This will help you to ride your serpentine more accurately.