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Pattern work is an integral part of horsemanship. Patterns teach
both horse and rider a myriad of skills and can easily be modified
according to ability. I like to incorporate pattern practice with
all my clients; not only for those who show and will be inevitably
asked to perform pattern work, but also for those who are working
toward establishing a deeper level of connection and control with
their horses. Below are three skill levels and a rationale for
using pattern work at each level. BEGINNER RIDERS
Patterns are a great way to teach a rider direction control.
Because of their lack of knowledge and skill, many be ginning
riders are more of a passen-ger (reactive) than a driver
(proactive). The cones and obstacles give riders a visual to know
they are directing their horse where they want it to go. When
performing the pattern, we are not so concerned with correctness
as we are with the rider getting the horse through and around the
obstacles.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED RIDERS
Patterns help these riders with their precision and timing. At
this level of riding, we are very concerned with correctness. Are
their circles perfectly round? Is their timing correct enough to
stop the horse exactly with its front feet lined up with the cone?
Is the horse making a transition immediately and smoothly at the
cone? More intricate patterns also help improve the rider’s
concentration.
TRAINING HORSE
A horse has to be able to perform the maneuver without the cones
and obstacles before you add them to a pattern. For example, we
wouldn’t ask a colt to lope a perfectly round circle through sets
of cones if we couldn’t guide it on a decent circle first.
Eventually, patterns are a great training tool because we are
expected to perform the maneuver/transition at the marker, forcing
us to find the holes in our colt's training. |
