Practicing test patterns for fun

Did you ever think of practicing test patterns just for fun? I know not everyone has competitive aspirations but if you are looking for a challenge and variety in your play and practice, test patterns can be a good learning tool and can be used in many creative ways.

Horses like patterns and shapes because they give them and their person intention and a goal. They give the horse a sense of purpose and destination. It is also a great focusing exercise for distracted horses and fearful riders.

Test patterns come in all levels and abilities so don't think you are not ready to try them. They generally start at the walk, trot/jog. You can also walk the whole pattern, trot in canter sections, and modify the patterns to your level. You can gradually work toward doing it exactly in your own time.

Obviously riding patterns is one way to use them. But you can ride them Bitless, Bareback, English, Western, Gaited or any other style you may do.

Did you ever think of just leading your horse around the pattern? You can practice leading from both sides and if you have a young horse, un-rideable horse, or a horse being rehabbed. This is a creative way to use patterns.

Another fun challenge is to do them at Liberty. Can to get your horse to do the patterns mirroring you? Can you get your horse to circle around you? You could put treats along the shape of the patterns and guide your horse to them. Be creative, modify the patterns to your own liking. Make up your own original ones!

If you do compete, these are fresh ways to practice and make it more fun. See the links here with Western Dressage patterns and USDF Patterns and enjoy the video of some patterns I make up.
Western Dressage Tests
USDF Tests
USEF Tests

Django under saddle

This is one of the last clips from the Starting Django Vlog. This video shows a ground to mounted "Touch" exercise progression for suppleness, communication and steering.
http://www.fdhorsemanship.com/

Lots of stuff!

I wanted to let everyone know some of the current and upcoming events in the coming months. First off all, The St. Vincent's Caribbean Clinic is coming up February 28th. This is an amazing clinic with Stina Herberg and Myself is paradise with her horses! It is magical! We work with Carolyn Resnick's Waterhole Rituals, Yoga and Meditation for riding and transitioning to riding from Liberty work. This clinic is especially good for fearful or traumatized riders. I can't express what an amazing experience it is. We are offering an early bird sign up with a savings of 10% on this already great value. Go here to sign up and get detailed info http://fdhorsetraining.com/Showschedule.html check out a video from the last one http://youtu.be/UbRt-d23b4w

In other news, I am now able to offer playshop intensives at Back Acres Farm in MA. There is accomodation available for you and your horse on site or near by. You can come and work with me for 1-3 days in small groups. You do not need to have a horse. You can lease one if needed. These are arranged by request and demand so If you would like more info about this Contact me here.

Also keep and ear out for clinics in CT as it gets warmer. So far I will be tentively scheduled to do clinics in the UK, Washington, New Zealand and Australia for 2012. Contact me for more info or to find out about having a clinic in your area.

I have currenty available The New Zealand Clinic video and the Going Bitless class video for sale here http://fdhorsetraining.com/FDTIinstruction.html
It's a great way to experience the clinic or classes if you couldn't make them.

Last but not least keep an eye out for the new website launch and the on Demand Video Library coming soon! It will feature exercises in my Liberty-Line-Mounted progression with and emphasis on building Connection-Communication-Calm Leadership. Hope to see you soon in the virtual world or the real one!

http://fdhorsetraining.com/

Position Exercises: Mirroring in the saddle Part 2

The Second part of this Position Mirroring exercise is to ride straight lines. You can go down a long side of your arena, the quarter lines, or the center lines. You can also do this in a reasonably flat field. The Quarter and center lines are good because they are open on both sides and it's easier to feel if you and your horse drift a bit as well as  become aware of yours and your horses' Shoulder and Hips. First just ride straight and notice things. The drifts left and right. Is it more one way then the other? Don't try to fix just gather information. Ride the lines about 3 times. The next three times I want you to become aware of your hips and shoulders and them staying absolutely parallel the whole way down the line. What did you discover? What did your horse tell you? Keep playing with it and you can progress to trot and canter as you feel comfortable at each gait. If you have tried this exercise, I'd love to hear from you!
http://fdhorsetraining.com/
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