StarFell
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have, or know, a horse that has been taught to do tricks? If so, what can they do and how did you teach them? I've been watching videos on youtube and I'm feeling inspired
Horse tricks
- Thread starter StarFell
- Start date
treacle_beastie
Well-Known Member
I taught (well it kind of happened accidently) my share horse to push gates open by saying 'push'! She would also push jump poles down if I asked as well! both were handy 1) if gate was too narrow to open by hand and 2) if wnated smaller jumps without having to get off! I have tried to get new share horse to move poly jump block out of the way by same technique and he did kick it - didn't move it very far though.
When I was younger I half taught my pony to bow down - you start with food rewards and lift their leg out and get them to lower head. He also used to sit down but that was more his doing than me teaching him anything!
Horse seem to do a lot for reward and it is quite quick and easy to get them to do little things like stand, follow, head up and head down and carrot stretches etc - not sure if these are clased as tricks though or just simple groundwork!
When I was younger I half taught my pony to bow down - you start with food rewards and lift their leg out and get them to lower head. He also used to sit down but that was more his doing than me teaching him anything!
Horse seem to do a lot for reward and it is quite quick and easy to get them to do little things like stand, follow, head up and head down and carrot stretches etc - not sure if these are clased as tricks though or just simple groundwork!
loobiloo
Well-Known Member
weve taught my mare to bow by just putting our hand between her front legs with a treat and getting lower and lower - it's dead cute. I dont think I could teach her anything else though! Using treats as positive reinforcement is usually a good way to motivate them though. I've always wanted to try clicker training - not because I might find it useful, just because it looks fun
_April_
Well-Known Member
April gives kisses for treats.
She will also stick her nose into a headcollar if you hold it away from her, put her own bit in if you hold up the bridle or put her head down into your arms for a cuddle lol.
She will also stick her nose into a headcollar if you hold it away from her, put her own bit in if you hold up the bridle or put her head down into your arms for a cuddle lol.
Bananarama
Well-Known Member
We used to teach all the stable horses to "say please" very similar to a dog giving a paw only without you grapping the leg when they lift it. We just started my lifting the leg sayin the command and giving a treat.. they learnt to do it on command very quickly.
Taught my pony to bow, three words!.. carrot between legs lol
For side step/ cross front legs, pushing over slightly and rewarding.
Also have a pony with one of those trickle feeder balls and he canters after it if you throw it, but he just knows it has food in it! lol
Taught my pony to bow, three words!.. carrot between legs lol
For side step/ cross front legs, pushing over slightly and rewarding.
Also have a pony with one of those trickle feeder balls and he canters after it if you throw it, but he just knows it has food in it! lol
susannita
Well-Known Member
My horses are now clicker trained properly but got into that after teaching one to touch his toes (he'll touch any of his feet with his nose!) and pee on command! He can also drink on command, spanish walk, bow, "ring his bell" (bash his saltlick on the grill!!) He will "go touch" anything you tell him too, he dances by pointing at any of his feet and of course kisses (although his are a bit more of a glasgow kiss!!) My other one was clicker trained from the start and can do the same stuff as the other one, not quite so polished but half way to him lying down on command - the farrier wasn't exactly impressed when he lay down one day!!! But his kisses are much better too!!
the peeing and drinking on command are brilliant when away competing! I would say the clicker training is not just for tricks though, it has been amazing when used when riding as they understand that what they were doing was EXACTLY what i was asking for and so in order to get another treat they try so hard to please!! Brilliant when teaching lateral stuff etc or just when they are super!!
This is a link to a SUPERB clicker trainer, Becky holden, she is based in devon with heather moffett, but if you are interested in learnignmore about using clicker training with your horse she is brilliant!! http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php?board=35.0
also a good starter book i found was "how to teach your horse to do anything" http://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Train-Your-H...9020&sr=8-1 which will start you off with the clicker and target training - it gets a bit random with lunging but by that point you should be well on the way!
Should you have any queries just shout!
the peeing and drinking on command are brilliant when away competing! I would say the clicker training is not just for tricks though, it has been amazing when used when riding as they understand that what they were doing was EXACTLY what i was asking for and so in order to get another treat they try so hard to please!! Brilliant when teaching lateral stuff etc or just when they are super!!
This is a link to a SUPERB clicker trainer, Becky holden, she is based in devon with heather moffett, but if you are interested in learnignmore about using clicker training with your horse she is brilliant!! http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php?board=35.0
also a good starter book i found was "how to teach your horse to do anything" http://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Train-Your-H...9020&sr=8-1 which will start you off with the clicker and target training - it gets a bit random with lunging but by that point you should be well on the way!
Should you have any queries just shout!
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
Not a trick as such, but our old Appy could 'read' We had two white buckets, one with a label on which said Reeves, which was hers she always went to that bucket in the field, regardless which ofus was holding it.
katie_and_toto
Well-Known Member
We taught Toto to give kisses
All we did was: hold a carrot near your face, point at your chin and say 'Kiss!' They have to put they nose near your face to get the carrot. They soon learn to lift their lip and 'kiss' properly when they know they'll get a treat
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All we did was: hold a carrot near your face, point at your chin and say 'Kiss!' They have to put they nose near your face to get the carrot. They soon learn to lift their lip and 'kiss' properly when they know they'll get a treat
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
I taught one of mine to do kisses as well, but by clicker training (dont fancy him trying to get food so close to my face!). He does more each cheek style! Only problem is he tries to do it to strangers which is a bit off putting for them! The shetland I taught to pick up a front hoof for a treat, I only did 2 sessions on it and she has remembered it for life! Unfortunately if I sit on the ground to talk to her, she does it and if I dont treat her, she'll walk right up close to me and paw out with a front leg in a grump!
Othewise, 2 of mine are taught to touch a "target" and follow it. One also will go and find it in his stable and touch it. But this is just the basics of clicker training. Ive taught one to load himself but need to perfect it.
Othewise, 2 of mine are taught to touch a "target" and follow it. One also will go and find it in his stable and touch it. But this is just the basics of clicker training. Ive taught one to load himself but need to perfect it.
Foxglove
Well-Known Member
My arab mare was taught tricks when she was younger by the head groom of the stud where I bought her. She can bow and also die - flat out on her side!
She used to do cowboy and indian displays with her father at the stud and would 'drop dead' at the sound of a gun.
I am not sure how they taught her, but I can get her to bow and die just by taping her sholder with a schooling whip. She doesn't seem in the least bit phased by any of this, quite enjoys showing off! Although to be honest I very rarely show anybody her tricks.
I bought her as an 8 yr old, she is now 19 and it is still amusing to hack her out when the shooting is going on, you can still feel her trying to drop an shoulder!
She used to do cowboy and indian displays with her father at the stud and would 'drop dead' at the sound of a gun.
I am not sure how they taught her, but I can get her to bow and die just by taping her sholder with a schooling whip. She doesn't seem in the least bit phased by any of this, quite enjoys showing off! Although to be honest I very rarely show anybody her tricks.
I bought her as an 8 yr old, she is now 19 and it is still amusing to hack her out when the shooting is going on, you can still feel her trying to drop an shoulder!
StarFell
Well-Known Member
I now have a pony who will smile on command
He was a very clever boy, its only taken me today to teach it!