Episode 189-Why I teach with patterns…and how it isn’t about the pattern.

When I say that I ride the same pattern over and over again in training, the most common question is, “Doesn’t the horse memorize the pattern?” In this podcast, I explain: the reasons I teach with simple patterns how using the same pattern with different techniques can help you understand how the technique influences the horse  why switching patterns when horses anticipate the pattern actually robs you of a great training opportunity.  There are three stages that horses and riders go through if they ride my four leaf clover pattern over and over again. Riders who commit to moving through all three stages create a situation where both horse and rider realize, it was never about the pattern at all.  It was about improving communication.