10 winter stretches: Serpentines

By Amanda Sutton

Seasonal guides

14 December 2009 12:23

Short winter days can make it difficult to ride, but here are simple ground work exercises to help maintain your horse’s fitness and mobility through the cold winter months.

- Make your serpentine loops large initially, staying close to the horse’s shoulder rather than getting in front, as this will make him extend his poll stretch.

- As you turn, your inside hand should come round and your horse must think about his own space and not fall in. His inside leg should cross over on the turn.

- As your horse progresses, increase the difficulty by turning at a more acute angle.

- Slow this exercise down by doing half-halts, using your stick at the horse’s chest.