Koper Equine

Why

Serpentines are excellent exercises for developing steering, suppleness, balance, bend, responsiveness and communication between horse and rider.

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Different Types and Sizes

• A serpentine typically starts at the centerline. The goal for a one that crosses the entire ring is to make each turn a 1/2 circle, with a few straight traveling steps in between each 1/2 circle. Your path across the centerline should be parallel to the short sides (as opposed to slightly on a diagonal) before changing the bend to your new direction of travel. Start with large, evenly sized loops and progress to smaller loops. The more loops, the smaller the half circle and the more intense the bend required from the horse. This exercise gives you time to finesse each bend before changing to a straight line across the center and creating a new bend in the opposite direction, and a chance to practice repeatability. The quality of the changes in direction and bend will be as valuable as the turns themselves.
• A shallow loop serpentine uses shallow turns and, in the case of a single loop shallow serpentine, often makes a distinction between the shape of the corner and the sweeping center loop. This shape works as an excellent introduction to more advanced steering as well as offering multiple differently shaped bends per line.
• A 5 loop shallow serpentine becomes an agility exercise, requiring an active, continuous conversation between rider and horse. Be sure to use a rein that opens into each turn to steer. The horse needs to be able to change his bend and line quickly which requires him to lift his chest, free his shoulders, relax his ribs and back for the bend and activate each hind leg independently.

How To

1. Start your work period with a minimum of 15-20 minutes of an active walk, preferably on a loose rein.
   • Suggested Walk Warmup: Walk a minimum of 3x around the ring each way. Walk a figure 8 3x in walk on a loose rein, changing direction between each. Walk a 20m circle 3x, 1 at each end of the ring, 1 in the middle. Repeat the other direction. Sprinkle in 3 halts on each rein during the walk circles. Practice asking for the halts with your seat first. Repeat sequence in trot. If you’re already capable in canter, it’s recommended to use canter in your warm-up as well. 
2. Choose which serpentine you want to work with: a shallow serpentine or one that goes across the entire ring. Start with bigger loops. 
3. Walk your big loops serpentine 3x each way. You may need to shorten your reins slightly to make your turns and begin introducing each bend into his body. Depending on your horse’s needs you can choose to perform a serpentine in one or both sides of the ring. You may incorporate this as part of your walk warm-up or save this to introduce after your warm-up is complete and you’re ready to introduce today’s exercise. 
4. Establish your working trot and ride the same pattern in trot. Change rein through walk across the diagonal and repeat on your new rein. 
5. Ready to move on?  You have options. You can consider introducing canter and even canter on the serpentine (see more on that below) or you can increase the number of loops and increase the challenge in walk and/or trot. 

Advanced Variations

1. If you choose to ride a 5 loop serpentine it’s a good idea to practice the new pattern in walk, 3x each rein, before you try it in trot. You will notice the turns coming much more quickly and the need to clearly communicate each new bend and direction. Practice initiating the turns with your seat and leg and using the reins to guide his eyes in the direction you’ll be going.
2. Cantering a 3 serpentine across the ring can be ridden 2 ways:
   • Ride a simple transition on the straight line across the ring, either through walk or trot. If you’re super fancy and extremely capable you could use a flying change to change leads for the next turn. 
   • Counter canter the center loop. 
3. A shallow serpentine can be ridden in canter with 2 possible variations:
   • a) The first would be to hold your true bend through the entire loop, meaning that you canter right with a right bend and maintain that right bend through the entire loop. It’s an excellent idea to practice this bend in walk and trot before you try it in canter as it can help explain the exercise to both rider and horse. This is a useful exercise for teaching your horse to follow his shoulders rather than his head, while maintaining an independent bend. 
   • b) It is possible to carefully change your bend in canter to the outside to follow the bend of the loop. Use your seat to carefully ride the correct lead while you ease the counter bend into his body for just a few steps. Less is more. This is an excellent exercise for developing suppleness, balance, straightness and ambidexterity.
4. Add circles, transitions, and even lateral work at strategic locations around the ring. 
5. Try a serpentine within a circle.  You can choose to use turns or turn-on-the-forehand and turn-on-the-haunches to turn onto your lines. 
6. Add poles or jumps to strategic locations. 

Pro Tips

Set cones out to mark your lines and/or turns. This is a great way to give both rider and horse a visual guide for where you’re going and make sure that you’re getting the most out of your lines. Don’t underestimate the value of giving your horse visual clues on where to go to help him understand what you’re asking for. This is especially true for green horses and riders. 

Use your eyes to inform your body and guide your horse. What this means is that when you focus your eyes intently on where you’re going your body will adjust to follow and your horse will feel it. 

Direction should come from your seat and leg first with your reins supporting the outside of the bend and making sure his eyes are focused in the direction he’s going to go on the next step. This is an exercise designed to develop quickness of the seat and leg of the rider, and lightness and reaction from the horse.

Why Use 3 Reps?

• It helps you count your sets and keep the number equal on each rein so that you can develop ambidexterity in yourself and your horse.
• The first rep shows your horse the exercise, the second confirms it and the third will be your best attempt at the challenge. After that it’s wise to reward your horse with a change of activity or a break.

Notes

• An exercise will only be effective when it’s appropriate for your horse and is ridden clearly and with intent. Choose wisely and whenever possible it’s a great idea to introduce an exercise with the help of an experienced person on the ground to help. 
• Individual consultations and remote coaching is available on request.