Patterns: A Great Training Tool

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.

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Finding Success Through Frustration

Our clinics may be different from other clinics that you have experienced. Because our focus is on developing your horsemanship on three different levels (3-D Rider™) – ground training, equitation, and training under saddle – you probably experience more stress at our clinics than you do at others. We believe that you need to stress yourself on all levels – physical, mental and emotional – in order to experience the deepest growth as a person or as a horseman. We hope the stress you experience at a clinic transfers to your growth in all realms.All horse trainers feel frustration at one time or another. When you are working with another mind, as we are when we’re working with a horse, we have to be aware that frustration will happen. The horse has its own agenda and also feels its own sense of frustration when it can’t understand us. We don’t want to prevent frustration because frustration handled properly promotes growth. So how do we positively handle our frustration and our horse’s frustration?

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3-D Clinic 2 Recap: Equitation

Our team would like to congratulate the participants on their outstanding and engaged participation in the second of our 3-D mini series, Equitation. We thought this clinic was a good balance of familiarity and challenge—a chance to practice old skills yet work towards new ones. We were impressed by the participants’ willingness to step out and try new things to improve their equitation as well as their connection to their horse. Following is a recap of the content of the Equitation clinic.

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Lessons Learned

“I bet you want me to saddle that horse for you,” Grandpa said with a sigh as he dusted off the bits of hay from his daily chores. Under the heavy lids of his eyes, I saw a twinkle of excitement. Oh, how I loved to ride my horse and even though Grandpa was exhausted from his labored day, his recliner would wait. Grandma would tell him, “Just tell her you are too tired,” but he would always take me back to the barn where he would place me in the manger as he went about saddling and grooming.

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Communicating With Your Horse Through the Use of Aids

A horse and rider team that moves through a pattern in perfect harmony is a beautiful thing to watch. Each seem completely in tune with the other and make the flawless performance look soooo easy. How did they do that? Are they psychic? Do they read each other’s minds? How do they communicate with each other so that you can’t even see it happening? The answer is the rider uses aids in a consistent way that the horse understands and honors.

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