Training idea # 10: Double serpentine exercises

In November, I published my Simple Serpentine Exercises post. As of this writing, it’s had nearly 5,000 views, so I think it’s time to share my double serpentine exercises. I actually prepared the diagrams for this post first, assuming most people already did simple serpentines. Then I decided it’s always best to start simple, even with blog posts! If your horse is not already performing simple, wide-looped serpentines easily, you should start there before attempting a double serpentine exercise.

Why do serpentine exercises?

Serpentine patterns are a popular element of dressage and equitation tests. They are an excellent way to practice transitions between bends, bend-to-straight, and gait. Depending on the width of the loops and the transitions asked for, serpentines can be simple or quite challenging, making them appropriate for all levels of training and horsemanship. As all exercises that involve getting off the rail, serpentines make riding more entertaining for horses and riders.

Why do the double serpentine exercises?

I started doing these specific patterns when I was riding Fantazia bareback (or more precisely, with a cloth-covered foam pad strapped on with a racing overgirth). Riding without stirrups tends to make me want to do a lot of jogging rather than trotting, and the smaller loops of the double serpentine are amenable to jogging. Also, I tend to create new patterns whenever I want to alleviate the boredom of arena work. The deep sand of our outdoor arena is perfect for conditioning, and Fantazia needs the training reminders, but riding in the arena can get monotonous!

The double serpentine exercises are more challenging because the loops are narrower. You’ve also got to think carefully if you want the four-loop pattern to turn out correctly!

The three-loop double serpentine pattern

Above: After trotting on a long rein on the rail, I start the three-loop dboule serpentine on the outside.

Above: With a three-loop (or any odd-number of loops), you can continue repeating the same pattern again and again. Eventually you will want to go back to the rail and reverse and do the same amount repetitions in the other direction. See below.

The three-loop serpentine is broad enough that you can do it fairly easily at a lope or canter as well as a jog. Or you can walk of course! You can transition through the trot/jog, halt, walk, or do a flying change, depending on the level of your horse’s training. You can also vary the shape of the loops. Here I show broad rounded loops.

The four-loop double serpentine pattern

The four-loop serpentine is more challenging because the loops are narrower. You also have to remember to start in the middle of the arena, otherwise the last loop will lead you back to the rail (see below).

Above: Start the four-loop serpentine in the middle of the short end of the arena. This way you will be positioned to trot along the far end and serpentine back down the other side, starting on the opposite bend. (The first loop at the top –left side above–is to the left. The first at the bottom–right side above–is to the right).

Above: You could of course stop at one set. I don’t. Rather, I repeat the same pattern, starting with a left inside bend. I then reverse and do the same thing going the other direction on the rail. See below.

Changing directions

How I change directions depends on how much consecutive trotting I want to do. If I want to stop, I will stop, stand, and turn on the haunches or slow down to a walk, walk 1-2 times around the rail and then turn, with or without stopping (e.g., turn on the haunches vs. change directions on the diagonal.)

The important thing is to end up going the other way. In this example we started on a left bend, so now we are on a right bend.

The other way…

What the patterns would look like if horses and riders were perfect:

Of course perfection never happens! But I strive for my hoofprints on a freshly ploughed arena to be as close as posisble;-)

Adding levels of difficulty

Naturally you can make these patterns very challenging by adding transitions. Walk a loop, trot a loop, for example. Alternate jog to lope. Change leads…