Straight Lines and Serpentines

Here's a way to teach your horse how to move straight, even off the railing.

What you need:
6 poles

In groups of two, space the poles evenly across the center of the arena parallel with the short side. The pairs should be just wide enough for your horse to walk and trot between. The space between the poles should allow your horse to make a smooth, bending turn into the next set.

This exercise should be done at at a walk. Start on the wall and turn your horse smoothly into the beginning of the serpentine. walk him between the poles, asking for a change of bend in the middle. Continue to walk to the wall, changing direction and continuing to turn into the next set of poles. As he walks in between the second set of poles ask for a change of bend and continue to walk to the end of the arena. Turn smoothly into the last set of poles and repeat the process.

If he is crooked or nervous, stop him in between the poles at any point. This will teach him to stop straight and not shift his feet. You can also back him up a step (no more than one at first) to help correct any backing problems he may have.

Once he is doing this well at the walk, proceed to the trot. This can be done to both directions and starting from either side of the arena.



When your horse is trotting these correctly, try it at the canter!

Helpful Tip:
When walking through the poles apply both reins and both legs. This makes a chute in your horses mind asking him to step directly behind his front feet with his back feet.