Patterns and Teaching Horses.

My analysis of Patterns is that they are found everywhere nature, and horses are no exception (e.g graze and sleep at particular times). By using patterns when we interact with horses, we give them a chance to be active participants and really open the door for two-way-communication. A 'pattern' can be described as strategy or even a plan when we apply it to playing with horses. For an animal capable of reading intention, and who learns anywhere between 7-10 times faster than humans do, knowing exactly what we want, and when we are going to quit (Pressure motivates, but it is the release that teaches) before we ask our horse to do anything, really is lesson in focus for humans, and as I begin to reach higher levels with my horse, I understand the importance of the clarity of my intention, and how that directly correlates with my body language that Rain (my horse) is reading. The horse not doing what we want can only be two things,  lack of understanding (that can be seen by unconfidence in the horse) or dominance.  Both reflect on our leadership skills. Using patterns with horses is a great blue print for teaching young horses. It offers enough repetition in the learning process that makes a horse feel safe, trusting, motivated and willing and after a few sessions the horse knows exactly what to do (variety can be introduced as well, by combining seven games etc. patterns are not designed to bore a horse to death!). Both sides of the horse-human relationship have responsibilities (which I will get to later in my blog) and patterns are a great way to trust, but hold each other accountable for those.

Patterns are the blue-print for teaching horses.