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| Exercises |
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| Where Art and Nature meet |
Serpentine with Walk Steps:
Introductory Level and up. This is a good exercise to help the horse develop submission as well as aid in developing
impulsion. This exercise is similar to the canter work asked for in preparation for the flying changes.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing a forward working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. When you begin your serpentine
after the first corner you do not have to do walk steps at A or C, after the first loop however ask for the walk
before you reach center line. With younger or rehab horses allow 6 or more walk steps before continuing in trot.
More advanced horses can do fewer steps.
Be sure you ask the horse to bend in the serpentine loops, straiten him during the walk, establish the new bend
before asking for the trot!
Key Points:
The keys to riding this exercise are to keep the forwards energy in the downwards transitions, as well as making
sure that the horse responds promptly to the aids for the upwards transitions. Of course care should be taken when
changing the bend, with a few distinct walk steps ridden straight!
Variations:
~For stiff horses ask for more bend, make sure you can see most of the inside eye.
~Walk steps can be left out all together (especially if horse is anticipating and falling into walk), simply make a
downwards transition to a more collected trot, or even half steps.
Introductory Level and up. This is a good exercise to help the horse develop submission as well as aid in developing
impulsion. This exercise is similar to the canter work asked for in preparation for the flying changes.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing a forward working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. When you begin your serpentine
after the first corner you do not have to do walk steps at A or C, after the first loop however ask for the walk
before you reach center line. With younger or rehab horses allow 6 or more walk steps before continuing in trot.
More advanced horses can do fewer steps.
Be sure you ask the horse to bend in the serpentine loops, straiten him during the walk, establish the new bend
before asking for the trot!
Key Points:
The keys to riding this exercise are to keep the forwards energy in the downwards transitions, as well as making
sure that the horse responds promptly to the aids for the upwards transitions. Of course care should be taken when
changing the bend, with a few distinct walk steps ridden straight!
Variations:
~For stiff horses ask for more bend, make sure you can see most of the inside eye.
~Walk steps can be left out all together (especially if horse is anticipating and falling into walk), simply make a
downwards transition to a more collected trot, or even half steps.
Serpentine with Circles in Walk(Trot):
Training/First level and up. This exercise is good for bending and suppling stiff horses, and for submission and
impulsion. When circles are ridden in trot it is good for developing rudimentary collection and carrying ability.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing an impulsive working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. When beginning the first loop of
the serpentine (after the corners) be preparing the horse for the 10 meter circle to come. Remember the bend is
changed after the walk circle! After the circle continue onto the next loop of the serpentine with the new bend,
preparing for the next downwards transition and circle.
Key Points:
They key points to riding this exercise is to keep absolute control over the horses bend. Be sure to have one straight
stride after the circle, before asking for the new bend. I.e.- Do not try to change from one bend to the next
suddenly! Be sure to ask for smooth downwards transitions, and prompt upwards transitions. If horse is loosing
impulsion in anticipation of a circle, ride briskly forwards around the arena.
Variations:
~When circles are ridden in walk 6, 8, or 10 meter circles can be used. Smaller circles are better for nervous or
flighty personalities.
~Circles can be ridden in trot, with no change of gate, either 10 or 15 meter circles can be used.
Training/First level and up. This exercise is good for bending and suppling stiff horses, and for submission and
impulsion. When circles are ridden in trot it is good for developing rudimentary collection and carrying ability.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing an impulsive working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. When beginning the first loop of
the serpentine (after the corners) be preparing the horse for the 10 meter circle to come. Remember the bend is
changed after the walk circle! After the circle continue onto the next loop of the serpentine with the new bend,
preparing for the next downwards transition and circle.
Key Points:
They key points to riding this exercise is to keep absolute control over the horses bend. Be sure to have one straight
stride after the circle, before asking for the new bend. I.e.- Do not try to change from one bend to the next
suddenly! Be sure to ask for smooth downwards transitions, and prompt upwards transitions. If horse is loosing
impulsion in anticipation of a circle, ride briskly forwards around the arena.
Variations:
~When circles are ridden in walk 6, 8, or 10 meter circles can be used. Smaller circles are better for nervous or
flighty personalities.
~Circles can be ridden in trot, with no change of gate, either 10 or 15 meter circles can be used.
10 (15) Meter Circles to Lengthening or Canter:
Training level and up. Good for improving upward transitions and canter departs, as well as encouraging horse to
strike of on correct lead. Improves impulsion and obedience.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing an impulsive working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. After riding a balance 10 meter
(15 for younger horses) circle in the corner prepare horse to lengthen stride along the rail. Ask horse to come more
together under rider while on circle, and encourage lively animated steps in the trot! Your rising trot tempo will
slow if horse is taking longer steps, do NOT allow rushing! Bring horse back to working trot before corners.
Again, look for a lively animated working trot on circle before asking for canter. Canter briskly forwards along long
side.
Key Points:
The quality of your circle directly affects the quality of the lengthening and canter! Try to make distinct transitions
between working and lengthened strides. If canter depart is unclean, or incorrect, ride another circle before trying
again.
Variations:
~Reverse order of exercise, riding the canter first, and then coming back to trot to ride the next circle before riding
the lengthening.
~Instead of riding down the long side, ride lengthening across the diagonal before continuing exercise in new
direction. (If riding a diagonal in canter be sure to ask for trot well before the corner, to not over face your horse
with counter canter, or a flying change!)
Training level and up. Good for improving upward transitions and canter departs, as well as encouraging horse to
strike of on correct lead. Improves impulsion and obedience.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing an impulsive working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. After riding a balance 10 meter
(15 for younger horses) circle in the corner prepare horse to lengthen stride along the rail. Ask horse to come more
together under rider while on circle, and encourage lively animated steps in the trot! Your rising trot tempo will
slow if horse is taking longer steps, do NOT allow rushing! Bring horse back to working trot before corners.
Again, look for a lively animated working trot on circle before asking for canter. Canter briskly forwards along long
side.
Key Points:
The quality of your circle directly affects the quality of the lengthening and canter! Try to make distinct transitions
between working and lengthened strides. If canter depart is unclean, or incorrect, ride another circle before trying
again.
Variations:
~Reverse order of exercise, riding the canter first, and then coming back to trot to ride the next circle before riding
the lengthening.
~Instead of riding down the long side, ride lengthening across the diagonal before continuing exercise in new
direction. (If riding a diagonal in canter be sure to ask for trot well before the corner, to not over face your horse
with counter canter, or a flying change!)
10 & 20 Meter Circles with Walk Steps:
Introductory Level and up. These are good exercises to teach transitions, and improve impulsion, submission and
obedience.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing a forwards working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. Prepare early for the transition to
walk, ask just before center line, ride 2-4 walk steps before asking for a prompt and obedient transition to trot. You
want your horse to feel as if he is moving upwards into the trot!
When riding the 10 meter figure 8 be sure to ask for walk early enough, possibly half the circle before transition!
Ride 2-6 walk steps before asking for a prompt transition to trot. Make sure to allow horse to go strait before
establishing the new bend. Make changes of bend clear!
Key Points:
They key point to this exercise is obedience! These exercises will make your horse listen to your aids better, if he is
ignoring you that is a warning sign! The walk steps should be forwards and lively, your horse should always be
thinking about going back to the trot. If the horse is falling into the walk, or walking early ride him forwards with
no walk steps for a time.
Variations:
~Vary number of walk steps often, ride 2 one time, and 6 the next. Keep your horse guessing!
~Do not walk at all, but rather ride a few shortened trot steps (a great way to teach/renforce half halts).
~Add a halt instead of or in addition to the walk steps.
~Ride these exercises at the canter with trot or walk steps.
Introductory Level and up. These are good exercises to teach transitions, and improve impulsion, submission and
obedience.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing a forwards working trot on the rail or on a 20 meter circle. Prepare early for the transition to
walk, ask just before center line, ride 2-4 walk steps before asking for a prompt and obedient transition to trot. You
want your horse to feel as if he is moving upwards into the trot!
When riding the 10 meter figure 8 be sure to ask for walk early enough, possibly half the circle before transition!
Ride 2-6 walk steps before asking for a prompt transition to trot. Make sure to allow horse to go strait before
establishing the new bend. Make changes of bend clear!
Key Points:
They key point to this exercise is obedience! These exercises will make your horse listen to your aids better, if he is
ignoring you that is a warning sign! The walk steps should be forwards and lively, your horse should always be
thinking about going back to the trot. If the horse is falling into the walk, or walking early ride him forwards with
no walk steps for a time.
Variations:
~Vary number of walk steps often, ride 2 one time, and 6 the next. Keep your horse guessing!
~Do not walk at all, but rather ride a few shortened trot steps (a great way to teach/renforce half halts).
~Add a halt instead of or in addition to the walk steps.
~Ride these exercises at the canter with trot or walk steps.
These exercises are meant to aid you in the training of your horse, and
yourself. They are not meant to replace instruction from a qualified trainer!
If you have any questions about the exercises listed below please feel free to
email Lara at Marezidoats@yahoo.com.
Note: These exercise illustrations and notes were all created by Lara Aguilera. If you would like to
print and use them in your lesson program please say where/whom they are from!
Key:
Walk ooooo
Trot - - - - -
Canter --------
Shoulder-in / / / /
Walk ooooo
Trot - - - - -
Canter --------
Shoulder-in / / / /
Lengthenings:
Walk o o o o o
Trot --- --- ---
Canter ---/---/---/
Walk o o o o o
Trot --- --- ---
Canter ---/---/---/
Half Volte Returning to Rail with Shoulder-in:
First level and up. Teaches horse shoulder-fore and shoulder in. Begins to develop collection. Wonderful suppling
exercise!
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing an impulsive working trot. When approaching the corner after a long side, do not ride well into
the corner, but rather ride a true half circle. Look to B early and keep horse straight after half volte. When you
reach the rail ride another full volte, the bend of this volte is the bend you will have during the shoulder-in. After the
volte allow the horse to bring his shoulders off the rail, then using inside leg ask horse to continue on in shoulder-in.
If horse falls off of rail or bend is incorrect, ride another volte.
Also ride exercise without volte.
Key Points:
Trot should maintain forward energy and regularity during shoulder-fore/in. Rider should pay special attention to
their own position, and where they are looking.
Variations:
~Shoulder fore/in can be ridden in walk.
~Volte can be ridden in walk.
~A short diagonal can be ridden to B or E before beginning shoulder fore/in.
~Rider can leg- yield to wall after half volte.
First level and up. Teaches horse shoulder-fore and shoulder in. Begins to develop collection. Wonderful suppling
exercise!
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing an impulsive working trot. When approaching the corner after a long side, do not ride well into
the corner, but rather ride a true half circle. Look to B early and keep horse straight after half volte. When you
reach the rail ride another full volte, the bend of this volte is the bend you will have during the shoulder-in. After the
volte allow the horse to bring his shoulders off the rail, then using inside leg ask horse to continue on in shoulder-in.
If horse falls off of rail or bend is incorrect, ride another volte.
Also ride exercise without volte.
Key Points:
Trot should maintain forward energy and regularity during shoulder-fore/in. Rider should pay special attention to
their own position, and where they are looking.
Variations:
~Shoulder fore/in can be ridden in walk.
~Volte can be ridden in walk.
~A short diagonal can be ridden to B or E before beginning shoulder fore/in.
~Rider can leg- yield to wall after half volte.
Trot, 10 Meter Volte at Walk, Canter Transition:
First level and up. This exercise is good for teaching obedience and improving canter transitions. Increases
impulsion and begins to develop collection.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing a forwards working trot. Ride well into corners in preparation before turn at B, and think ahead
for downwards transition to walk at, or just before X. Maintain a brisk and lively walk on the circle, and prepare
horse for canter depart before X, do not surprise him with it! Ride forwards into a lively, but not rushing working
canter.
Key Points:
Be sure to strike off onto correct lead, remember you will be riding the circle in the opposite bend to the canter that
follows, so be sure to make your aids clear! After a few repetitions of this exercise your horse will start to
anticipate, use this to your advantage! The walk should be especially lively and forwards when thinking of the
canter to follow.
Variations:
~Make volte in trot instead of walk.
~Continue in trot after volte.
~Ride approach in canter, trot in Volte, and continue in canter.
First level and up. This exercise is good for teaching obedience and improving canter transitions. Increases
impulsion and begins to develop collection.
How to ride this exercise:
Begin by developing a forwards working trot. Ride well into corners in preparation before turn at B, and think ahead
for downwards transition to walk at, or just before X. Maintain a brisk and lively walk on the circle, and prepare
horse for canter depart before X, do not surprise him with it! Ride forwards into a lively, but not rushing working
canter.
Key Points:
Be sure to strike off onto correct lead, remember you will be riding the circle in the opposite bend to the canter that
follows, so be sure to make your aids clear! After a few repetitions of this exercise your horse will start to
anticipate, use this to your advantage! The walk should be especially lively and forwards when thinking of the
canter to follow.
Variations:
~Make volte in trot instead of walk.
~Continue in trot after volte.
~Ride approach in canter, trot in Volte, and continue in canter.
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| Marezidoats Dressage Lara Aguilera Dressage Beaverton Hillsboro Forest Grove Portland Dressage Tainer |
