Serpentines for Control
Now that you understand the lesson, let's look at how it can help solve problems with our horse.
Let's say that you're riding a horse that's too fast, too excited or wants to jig. Pick up the left rein and turn him to the left. If he doesn't turn easily, move his hips. Release the rein. After about 10 steps, pick up the right rein and make a turn to the right. Release the rein. After 10 steps, turn left, and so forth. Try to get into a rhythm.
The first few turns will be sharp and feel rough. The horse's head is likely to be higher than you'd like, and his speed will be erratic. As you keep working through this exercise, conscious of when you're picking up the rein and releasing it (not just hauling him around to the left and right), everything will get smoother. The horse will realize that there's no reason to rush ahead - he's just going to have to turn again. And because you're not trying to force him to stand still or trapping him with the reins, he's going to fight much less. He also learns that each time he does what you ask, you release the rein. That builds his confidence and he learns the pattern.
It's also ideal if you've taught the horse the "calm down" cue. That way you can ask the horse to drop his head. He'll drop his head, then it will pop right back up again. That's OK. Ask him to drop it again. You can mix that into the serpentine lesson to help the horse learn that it's OK to relax.
Keep him trotting until you feel that if you offer the horse the chance to walk, he'll take it. Ask the horse to stop for a moment, then allow him to walk relaxed. If he can do that, leave him alone. If he gets too jazzed up, ask him to drop his head. If that isn't enough, work on the changes of direction again.
Have you ever wished your horse would hold a steady speed? Here's how to achieve that. Work on the serpentine exercise. When the horse is at the speed you want, allow him to go straight ahead on a loose rein. When he speeds up, ask for a few loops of the serpentine. When he's at the right speed, release the rein and allow him to go straight ahead. This is a wonderful exercise for Western Pleasure or equitation horses.
Sometimes we encounter a horse who's obedient, but he's just a bumpy ride. Working through the serpentine lesson will help him to learn to balance better and to take more care about how he turns and how he puts his feet down. He'll learn to carry his head in a better position and his body in better balance, and the ride will get smoother.PH*
