Equine Patterns and Habits

When things get scary or confusing, you want a horse that responds to a familiar pattern that creates a feel of a safe place that he can go to rather than fleeing or fighting. That’s why we start our training out on the ground and under saddle using rhythmic exercises that create relaxation in the horse. When rhythm habitually creates a feel of relaxation in the horse, a rhythmic pattern becomes a safe place for both the horse and rider to go to whenever things start falling apart. Then the horse gets excited or upset and the rider goes to any exercise that reestablishes rhythm, habit will help the horse relax so he can listen to the next thing the rider asks.

This makes a lot more sense than using big bits and sharp spurs and going back to fighting over who’s the boss. But it took me a few years and a few horses before I unlearned my old habits of loud and startling communication with horses and learned a better way. If you or your horse have poor communication habits, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to learn some new ones.