Team Yriarte Horsemanship
the bowtie pattern
This is a short clip showing the bowtie pattern being ridden to help this mare build confidence to transition to the canter.
The bowtie is a riding pattern we use a lot to help with transitions. It is great for building confidence in both young horses and inexperienced ir fearful riders.
The idea is to, as you turn the barrel and get pointed straight to the fence, hustle as quickly to fence as possible, asking for the transition (I.e. walk to trot, trot to canter, walk to canter). Once you get to the fence quit asking even if the the horse doesn't make the transition and let them cruise to the next barrel. As you leave the fence to turn the barrel, begin asking for the downward transition (canter to trot, trot to walk, etc), circle the barrel and hustle them back to the fence. Repeat as long as it takes to get confidence in the rider or horse. We like to end this pattern when they make the transition confidently and let them carry that past the barrel and then stop elsewhere in the arena.