The Bending Aids: How to Correctly Ride Serpentines in Dressage!

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#horses #dressage #equestrian
Riding a serpentine in Dressage is harder than it looks! A LOT goes into correctly and smoothly changing the bend on a horse! Serpentines (and later on the canter half pass zig zag in the Grand Prix), test the suppleness and evenness of the horse. Working towards correct and even bending with your horse is an extremely important part of correct Dressage training!!
What are the correct bending aids?
Inside leg at the girth - to keep the horse from falling in.
Outside leg behind the girth - to keep the haunches from drifting out.
Outside rein - to guide the outside shoulder
Inside rein indicates flexion
How much bend is enough?
The degree of bend in the horse depends on the size of the circle (or the steepness of the half pass). The smaller the circle, the more the horse must bend in the body. It is very important to note that the horse must bend evenly from the poll to the tail. Often riders over bend the neck of the horse and do not have enough bend in the body.
How to change from left bend to right bend?
Bring right leg forward
Push the horse off of the right leg until you feel them fill up the left rein
Left leg slides back to keep the haunches from falling out to the right
Right rein indicates the flection to to the right
Then, once the horse is bending in the body to the right, the horse turns to the right.
Common mistakes:
Rider pulls on the new inside rein without first moving the horse off of the new inside leg. This causes the horse to fall into the new direction. The horse will also loose their balance and speed up.
Loss of tempo: often the horse will either speed up or slow down during the change of bend. It is important the the horse maintains the SAME tempo.
Uneven serpentine loops: often, due to innate asymmetries in the horse, the horse will tend to fall in on one loop and fall out on the other loop. This causes asymmetric loops.
Having trouble?
A LOT has to happen in a short amount of time in order to correctly change the bend in the horse. Try making a transition to the walk and practice changing the bend at the walk. This will give you and the horse more time to correctly change the bend!!
Oh AND!!
Make sure also to change your posting diagonal each time that you change direction!!
Extra credit!!! Can you ride a serpentine with your horse stretching down?!

[@lvpisias]

The way you break things down makes so much sense to me. Also, I clearly had a knowledge gap on this.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes!!

[@KMJCAN1313]

Very true, well said.

[@simons1543]

Thank you Amelia. I did this for the first time last week and made a complete hash of it so to hear it explained so concisely is REALLY helpful. I do feel a sense of guilt that my poor horse has to put up with all the mixed signals I send whilst I figure out what I'm doing.

[@juliafoley6499]

Saw this a couple of years ago, Amelia, but I just kept stumbling. NOW, after the 30 day Rider Position Challenge (which i keep reviewing, studying and practicing), Birdie and I can ride some some pretty sweet serpentines. You and your team inspire us!! Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome! So glad you are making progress and having fun!!

[@teresawort9124]

Ok that is the prettiest serpentine that I have ever seen.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awe!! Thank you!

[@kristinarylands1511]

WOW! I'm about to go into my lesson today and thought I'd take a minute to check out this video. I've been doing serpentine and "ribbon candy" work to improve my horse's bend and set her up for self carriage. This is the best explanation I've seen yet about the shifting leg position. Your videos always give me something new to immediately go out and practice. THANK YOU!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay! Awesome! Glad to hear it!!

[@julieklett6751]

The transition to walk for the changes is going to be very helpful for us. Thank you. Great vid.

[@tihannah7766]

The changing positioning of the legs was SOOO helpful for me. We've been struggling with a clean change of bend for awhile, mostly because I was trying to do too much. Tried this exercise yesterday and just that simple change in leg positioning made it so easy! Great video! Thank you!

[@dotgray542]

Love your videos and how you break everything down to make it all make sense. Thank you.

[@joelynnewcomb7390]

Super helpful and great timing. I have been doing stretchy 5 loop serpentines! Tricky!!! Love Mom.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Wow! Stretchy 5 loop serpentines?!

[@veroniqueviaudFaspasie_1957]

Thank you very much dear Amelia. It seems more difficult in a classical riding course with an instructor... who has all his exercises to do ready on his own mind. 🤔

[@danw6014]

Very nice. I use serpentines a little different. Since I ride out in the open on a horse that gets pretty anxious by herself, I use the serpentines to help her switch eyes and relax. I am asking for a little more disengagement of her hindquarters while still keeping forward movement. No tearing faces off of horses allowed. Great video with some new things to work on. Thank you.

[@saratylosky257]

yes you do change the posting diagonal DUH! THanks!

[@shirleybroady]

Your videos are of service to all levels of riders. For myself, I need and appreciate reminders and I get just what I need from your contributions. Many thanks!

[@mmchapman5419]

Super helpful video, Amelia. I like the suggestion of transitioning to a walk in the middle ~ great way to practice 2 things at once, the bend and transition. Loose trot was just floaty ~ gorgeous! 🥰

[@esinsarioglu2446]

I really enjoy your videos a lot. You are an amazing teacher!

[@martameek5558]

WOW!!! Now that was the best explanation ever. Thank You so much Amelia.

[@isabellaaedwardss]

Thank you for sharing with us Amelia! This is really helpful! You are such a talented rider!

[@paolopiccirillo6760]

Thank so much Amelia for your demonstration,really helpful especcially your suggest to pick up the walk if u re in the change of balance with troubles

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks you so much Paolo. I'm so glad it was helpful! And thanks for watching!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Also, if you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your email inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ (If you’re already familiar with all this and have received this before, apology for the unnecessary message, I’m being super thorough today!) I’m also on FB and IG facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website! www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴

[@michelekanefsky7511]

This demo is so helpful! The best lesson I’ve ever found on serpentines! Thank you as always!🙌♥️🐎

[@hollythecrossstitchaddict83]

Who put a thumbs down? Would you care to elaborate? I think this is stunning and I am so jealous of how Amelia rides. 🥺 I really struggle with my upper body position!. I always seem to be slightly in front of the vertical and I don't know what to do to correct it.

[@kadenafrancis1677]

You can help correct your upper body position by engaging your upper and lower core....lift your ribs up(take a big breath into your ribs, as you exhale leave your ribs up. And also think about keeping your ribs engaged back into your spine. You can also roll your shoulders up and back, and then keep positive tension in you shoulder blades.

[@laureradloff3804]

The thumbs down may have been because the horse is quite BTV. I know that sometimes this is a stage but classical folks feel it’s a sin because it puts the horse on the forehand.

[@debzee1576]

@@kadenafrancis1677 also make sure your saddle is balanced

[@jaenewtonias1731]

Thank you for this video. I put this into practice this afternoon and it was great. We did the version with the walk so I had time to give correct aids and it just flowed so nicely. I wish I had known this earlier. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@carolinlarson4089]

Thank you! Can’t wait to work on this. Before you demonstrated walking thru The point where you establish the band, I was thinking I would really like to try that first at the walk to make sure I can coordinate the movements in my own body that have to happen to have a successful change in direction. These are always so helpful!

[@tracyhopkins7701]

Such a great video as always, love how you break the instructions down, just need to put this into practice now 😀

[@shawnwild6719]

I just learned a TON! Thank you for this video!!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Which change of bend is the most difficult for you? Left to right or right to left! For me it's left to right!!

[@kellyerobinson6345]

Amelia Newcomb Dressage left to right

[@vasilikiharvey8543]

My young horse is stiffer to bend right, my other horse is stiffer to bend to the left.

[@estoreim]

Stiffer and tougher bending left.

[@jaenewtonias1731]

Left to right change is our hardest

[@evecory8946]

Hi Amelia, I find going right to left is the hardest for us. My mare really seems to struggle to bend her body to the left. When she goes right she often over compensates and over bends. Leg yielding to the right with left bend is also hard. Do you have any suggestions? She sees a physiotherapist every month and on the ground she's ok.

[@deborahclark1291]

Thank you Amelia! This is a huge help. I just started this is lessons last week. My instructor is awesome. It helps to see this 😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Deborah and so glad to hear you've started lessons!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Also, if you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your email inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ (If you’re already familiar with all this and have received this before, apology for the unnecessary message, I’m being super thorough today!) I’m also on FB and IG facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website (for when all the social media goes down again 🤣) www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴

[@georginalester4303]

Very helpful video, my horse rushes the change and falls out/in, this has really helped thanks!

[@lesliekot6995]

Thank you! You have helped me so much! You are an amazing training ❤️

[@candacewade767]

Thank you so much. You give me happy COVID free moments. Great, clear explanations. Thank you.

[@leslieweiser5455]

I love these always a favorite. Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@janadavies296]

Super helpful and very well explained. Thank you

[@elizabethfitzgibbon6804]

Wonderful as always!

[@juliefranck8510]

Ahhh this is another great video thanks Amelia!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks Julie! So happy you're finding the videos beneficial

[@sansapha58k47]

i can already tell i will have to watch this a few times over, so helpful though!

[@davidsaputra6465]

Thank you very good explaination...and show example..

[@BricesMice]

Nicely done!

[@wengkeonglo4711]

This videos is very helpful for me to improve my riding skill, thk

[@imzadi83fanvids7]

That was very helpful thank you so much! :D

[@estoreim]

Love and appreciate your videos.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you like them!

[@Lynne2106]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lauracox4009]

Thank you Amelia for explaining the serpentine (the how and why) in minute detail. I can't wait to get my horse out and try to do this correctly, after years of probably not correct. Why did my dressage trainer never tell me all this? Thanks!

[@Archilochus3.1416]

Really, really nice.

[@cathyrackley5826]

My goal for 2021: To ride a serpentine as pretty as these! Thank you, Amelia, for a great tutorial!

[@angelahamond-fenton497]

love you love you love you, wish you lived in Australia. I have a lovely mare that overbends too :/

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I would like to visit!!😂😂 Someday!!

[@MrLoilax]

Thank you. This will helped me to understand, how to put my legs correctly.

[@kristinemcclain9028]

Thank you 😊

[@kellyerobinson6345]

That was amazing! The opposite direction leg goes back! Who knew? But doesn’t that move invoke the canter?

[@curtisbethnolet824]

Came here looking for the answer to this question!

[@Jazzy-kk4sk]

Its all about timing (at least this is what I have been taught, it might not be correct in others eyes :) ) Putting the outside leg back changes how your hips are angled, that angle helps communicate more clearly what bend you are asking for, the outside leg doesn't always have to be kept on (which would then be asking for canter). When the rider does put a bit of leg on with the outside, take the inside leg off (for a split second, it should be very fast) which should stop the horse getting confused, if the horse is less reactive to the canter aid, some people will bump with their outside leg while the inside leg is on. Or, depending on how the horse is trained as they are all different, some will only canter with a seat aid, in which case inside and outside leg can be used at the same time :) Again, all horses are trained differently and all people ride differently so there are thousands of other ways to use leg for bending, these were just the main ones that I have experience in, I hope this helped! It is quite hard to explain

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! That pretty much sums it up! Thanks @jazzy for saving me a lot of time trying to explain that!

[@evecory8946]

I find having your legs in this position already doesn't suddenly surprise my horse when I ask for the canter. She seems to be more accepting and I can then be more light with the aids. I've only just recently started with this technique and it's helping loads! 👍

[@lillyarianna9305]

Try giving a little half halt with your seat as you ask your horse to change their bend.

[@danellehand8988]

This is incredible! Most people probably know this, but I don't. Could you please explain how much pressure you are using with each leg and why?

[@martafrancis3488]

I tried this with a walk will try trotting later. Nice instructions. Thank you

[@helenscanlon8698]

I was taught to straighten a step or two before proceeding to the next bend. Wondering why this isn't considered.

[@Jazzy-kk4sk]

I think (and could be wrong) when she pushes the horse over with the new inside leg that is when the horse straightens up for a few strides, and then she asks for the new bend with the other aids she mentioned afterwards

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! Exactly! But perhaps it would have been more clear if I explained it this way! There are times, with some horses that like to rush that I try to avoid letting them get completely straight so that I can control the tempo better!

[@danw6014]

I learned that too.

[@beateindahl8100]

Thanks for an another Great video :)

[@chandorequestrian]

Wow! Amelia, I just had an Ahhh Ha moment! Thank you so much

[@reneemurphree2112]

Love your videos!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is so kind of you to say! Thank you! Please consider subscribing as it really helps me out

[@sarahhagan6579]

I love your videos!! Can you please clarify the difference between aids for a bend and the canter? Inside leg at the girth and outside leg back? How does the horse know which one means bend and which means canter? Thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

For canter your legs are more activating leg aids and your hips go from trot motion to canter motion. For bending the legs aids are not activating aids.

[@KMJCAN1313]

Thank you, lovely.

[@suebenbow6860]

Thank you.

[@kathleendowns1]

Great tip!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks Kathleen.

[@joannarodriguez4319]

Soo helpful

[@kimberlyperillo9990]

Excellent description. What exactly are you doing with your hands to create the flexion? Tightening that rein? Vibrating that rein? Moving your hand forward?

[@frokenss]

Do you have video on the correct aids for flexion?

[@alexp.4764]

Hi Amelia, a very nice video:-)What saddle are you riding in on this horse?

[@egipatskiguster]

Amelia I was wondering which boots do you use

[@helen-akaprincesspeachesme6578]

Please come and stay with me for a couple weeks in Cornwall (UK) and teach me and my horse :) 😍

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Sounds great!

[@pegdiana]

Hi Amelia and everyone, What if, upon putting the outside leg back, the horse tries to take the flexion away? What specifically would be the order of aids to get it back before proceeding? Thanks.

[@leec5170]

Thank you! Very well done...I hope I can pull it off...lol

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

It's a lot to think about!!

[@dockamangir]

What is the difference between this bringing the outside leg back and the one in Canter transition? I mean how not to by mistake give him a canter cue?

[@saratylosky257]

if you are doing serpentines in rising trot, do you change your rein as you turn or what?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Change diagonals when you change the bend, so as you cross the centerline in a conventional serpentine

[@nicolemazkour8810]

Can you please tell me the saddle that you use 🙏. Brand, model, etc. Also, I really appreciate all your videos and sharing your talents. Huge fan.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Both of my horses are in Custom Saddlery Saddles. Icon and Aviar.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for the kind words....please share my Giving Tuesday Compilations www.amelianewcombdressage.com/giving-back-now.../

[@noryfornias4063]

quick question: should i be keeping my legs on the horse throughout the circle/serpentine, or just when i’m initially asking them to bend and correct as i see necessary?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

depends on the horse! Some you might need to ask for more bend throughout the serpentine or during specific spots, some horses will bend consistantly more easily.

[@aktanakhmetov]

It looks to me that the flaps, thighs and knees are well over the scapulas, and those are dressage vertical flaps. Is the saddle sitting way too forward, or am I not seeing saddle placement correctly due to distance from which video was shot?

[@hagrrharon5956]

😊😊😊😊😊😊good

[@Miss-Laine]

I don’t know why but I’m one of those people’s that understands better when trainer says inside and outside rein instead of right and left 😂 this might sound funny, but when I’m watching videos, I do have to think really hard on which hand is left and which one is right . I can’t put that together… funny but true.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

There is a lot to process in lessons! You'd be surprised how common this is!

[@TheTejprasad]

My horse right band so hard please one video for horse banding video please

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes, this video on bending will help you: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/bend-your-horses-body/

[@eileensteere4713]

So you are bending your torso in the direction you want to go. Your inside bend leg starts your body in a half- spiral.