[Tim Y]

Any trainer who works horses by a pattern, and not to the needs and intellect (if you will) of the individual horse, is a poor trainer indeed.

If you have ever gone backside and observed the training board in their office, the astute trainer has a specific outline prepared for the particular needs of the INDIVIDUAL horse, not some theoretical pattern. I have observed some that are all about slow stamina works and not a single speed move other than a qualifying work.

The way the lessons go forward have no specified pattern, but reflect what the individual animal needs to work on.

Imagine a football coach trying to implement the same preparation on each member of his team. Some need agility work, others strength training yet others need blocking and tackling work......Horses are much the same: some need gate work, others need IN COMPANY work, others need to run straight, others learn to apportion speed and relax on the lead, getting used to equipment changes and how much they can or cannot alter the running. One lesson does NOT FIT ALL.

ANYONE training like a cookbook can expect poor results.