Does anyone trick train their horse?

[JFTDWS]

Oh yes...

(wouldn't recommend this one, not what polyblocks are designed for at all )

he does lots of stuff, some not easily captured by photos...

and since I'm feeling uber-provocative this evening...

 

[Stacey6897]

Two tricks at once! Sitting and crossing his legs! Useful for, um, getting on when I don't have a mounting block handy? Climbing on things and giving kisses, useful for... something I'm sure

Calgary Stampede

 

[stargirl88]

Ahhhh brilliant photos

 

[Puzzles]

Out of interest, how do you all teach your horses tricks? I'd love to learn a thing or two cause I really enjoy playing with the horses and teaching them things like that, but at the moment our 'skills' are rather unimaginative with just lifting the leg up, choosing which hand the treat is inl, and stretches and the likes! How on earth do you teach them, say, how to rear or sit or bow, especially if they aren't already natural behaviours as you can just reinforce those and pair them with a cue quite easily ... so reveal your secrets!

 

[Stacey6897]

Out of interest, how do you all teach your horses tricks? I'd love to learn a thing or two cause I really enjoy playing with the horses and teaching them things like that, but at the moment our 'skills' are rather unimaginative with just lifting the leg up, choosing which hand the treat is inl, and stretches and the likes! How on earth do you teach them, say, how to rear or sit or bow, especially if they aren't already natural behaviours as you can just reinforce those and pair them with a cue quite easily ... so reveal your secrets!

Anything you want to know! First tricks depend on the horse but usually I'll start with salute/shake a paw, kisses and hugs, also standing on a pedestal, this gives an idea of the horses attitude and what they like doing, the first big milestone is the bow, after that, progress to the lie down, then after that the sit, which can take years

 

[tazzle]

Anything you want to know! First tricks depend on the horse but usually I'll start with salute/shake a paw, kisses and hugs, also standing on a pedestal, this gives an idea of the horses attitude and what they like doing, the first big milestone is the bow, after that, progress to the lie down, then after that the sit, which can take years

must admit I would caution the salute / shake a paw if one is a beginner at this as it can easy become one thats offered when you bend down meaning to just pick out a foot if you dont really think about the cue etc ( my daughter unbeknown to me taught her horse to do it and I just about got a bloodied nose when I went to pick out her feet one day ( when daughter found boys instead of horses ) .... not saying dont do it just think about it


this is her with loan owner doing pedestal

even stuff like waving flags around is fun / useful

 

[pixiebee]

I know of someone that taught her pony to rear then sold it on with disasterous consequences for the new owners and very likely the pony. Stupidity in my opionion.

 

[Miss L Toe]

oh, and she shakes her head to say 'no' hen i ask her if she is a bad girl

My boy does this without training, it is weird. He has quite a few opinions about what he should and should not do!

 

[Cortez]

We have display/film stunt horses which are all trained to rear. I would only train horses which have very strong hind ends and are naturally balanced over the hocks to do this as there is a danger of them overbalancing if they go up very high. Some horses go through a phase of "offering" their party pieces either unasked or as resistances, but this passes as training becomes more established. If riders are competant there is no problem with sitting a balanced rear.

 

[tonitot]

Stacey6897 I have done that, she just gets to a point where she decides its too much effort and cant be bothered I shall keep trying! Maybe I'll use pears instead of carrots...

 

[Puzzles]

Anything you want to know! First tricks depend on the horse but usually I'll start with salute/shake a paw, kisses and hugs, also standing on a pedestal, this gives an idea of the horses attitude and what they like doing, the first big milestone is the bow, after that, progress to the lie down, then after that the sit, which can take years

Thanks Stacey! It's probably not an easy thing to explain in a post to be honest!

 

[BringoutheBest]

I do a few bits and bobs now and again - my pony lifts his feet up/paws or whatever either when I point at them and say up orI lift up one of my legs - he will mirror mine with his feet.
It came in useful when he was being a git with the farrier last week (a) pony is stroppy whatsit, and b) he is terrified of men so the farrier visit can be quite an ordeal!) He would not lift his foot for the farrier so l lifted mine and then spud just picked his up - it amused the farrier!!

I have only really done foot lift, bow and some other simple stuff - maybe I'll do more now the evenings are getting lighter