As with any artform, every rider gets stuck from time to time. Sometimes we lose inspiration for a specific discipline, life doesn’t let us get in the horse time required for improvement, or we just plain run out of ideas of what to do when training. I find a good way to get out of a funk is set up a continuous riding pattern and challenge myself to do it in progressively difficult ways. Whether it is the boredom of mindless circles or feeling stuck at a certain level, pattern work helps us identify and address issues. In this post we will review a specific pattern I’ve drawn on many times.
Regardless of whether a riding pair’s primary interest is in eventing, barrel racing or leisurely trail riding, each pattern I post will be beneficial to any horse and rider pair and can be adapted to focus on most any flavor of riding. The repetition draws your horse’s attention to the cues at specific points in the pattern, and helps the rider troubleshoot errors and plan ahead to correct in the next pass through.
A Highly Recommended Pattern to Start With
I call this one the “Reverse Horseshoe”. I’m not claiming this to be a completely original pattern and honestly have no idea where I may have been influenced to use it, but this is my take. Choose one short side of the ring that you will not be riding all the way through. Each time you get to that short side ride a teardrop shaped loop to change directions. Continue on the rail until you return to the same short side, then do another teardrop to reverse back to the rail. The result looks like a horseshoe and has you constantly reversing directions.
Basic Level Goals in the Pattern
When riding the basic version of the pattern as described, focus on keeping consistent pace, particularly through the teardrops. If the horse struggles with holding a consistent pace, preferring to either speed up their feet or quit, make sure you are not using too much rein, thereby pulling them off balance and that your inside leg is preparing the horse before you begin to rein through a turn. To do the pattern correctly a horse must drive from behind to adjust between varying degrees of bend and straightness.
Progressive Advancement Options
Once your horse can maintain balance, evidenced by consistent working gaits at the walk and trot, the next step is to add a circle at the end of the ring opposite your teardrops. You can even add a canter for the circle, then resume trotting after for the next long side. This version is a nice practice in getting the correct leads for lower level horses or riders.
To ride the pattern cantering are the most advanced two versions. To do so correctly the horse and rider must know lead changes and/or how to balance a counter canter. If you have a large riding area either flying or simple lead changes can be done. If you are not swapping leads with each change in direction, then you are practicing the counter canter for one half of the pattern and a correct lead on the other. It’s worth mentioning that you must still practice the pattern on each lead separately to work your horse evenly. In either case, you and your horse must be fit and educated to successfully canter the pattern in its entirety.
Change it Up and Get Creative
To create mini advancement steps add ground poles or x-rails on the long sides or compass points on your circle. Western riders may opt to add barrels at the end of the long sides or a rollback in place of the teardrops. I like to ask students to drop stirrups or ride the basic versions bareback to develop feel and balance. No matter how you tailor the activity, I strongly recommend riding patterns correctly at the walk and trot first and increasing the challenge only after you ace the basics. Even then progress in increments that are achievable. If you get stuck when trying to progress, you can refer to my post “Basics Every Rider Should Learn“, which may help troubleshoot any holes in your riding that are holding you back.
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About The Author
There are two components to a circle – consistent energy from the horse and consistent steering from rider. If either changes, the turn will change.
