Titchy Reindeer
Well-Known Member
To be fair, my eyes would be on stalks if I saw a TARDIS. Quite apart from the fact it probably means imminent planetary disaster is on its way.
On from patting-Praise!
- Thread starter pistolpete
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Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
Oh, we have a couple in Glasgow. Time Lords here have branched out into selling cheesey sandwiches and falafel.
suestowford
Well-Known Member
I am not sure they understand the actual words but they do learn the sound of them and what we mean when we say it, if only by association. So a pony might trot without being asked by their rider, if the instructor says it.
When I got my pony he had no training of any kind and I taught him a lot of verbal cues. The first was what 'Good Boy' meant and at first I said it any time he had food brought to him, so that he would associate the sound of it with something nice. I do talk to my ponies, so it matters that they know what the sounds mean. He was only 3 when I got him so we had a lot of time for this before he started being ridden, and there were times I was very glad he'd learned some of it.
When I got my pony he had no training of any kind and I taught him a lot of verbal cues. The first was what 'Good Boy' meant and at first I said it any time he had food brought to him, so that he would associate the sound of it with something nice. I do talk to my ponies, so it matters that they know what the sounds mean. He was only 3 when I got him so we had a lot of time for this before he started being ridden, and there were times I was very glad he'd learned some of it.
lynz88
Well-Known Member
I'm not feeling so alone - I thought I was one of the few that chat to my horse (I do it all the time). If I get a weird reaction I will ask him "what's up? What's bothering you?" (Not as if he's going to say "x hurts" lol).
I will also use slow words and gentle tone if horse is getting tense and will usually try to reinforce with a scratch or 'pat'/stroke which also has an effect on me. I will also reinforce good behaviour with a "gooooood" and usually if I am able, a scratch at the same time.
He does know "no, wrong lead" and will, most of the time, switch. He knows all basic voice commands (walk, trot, canter, more (trot, walk, etc.), up (aka more trot, walk, etc.), woah (though sometimes he's good at ignoring this) to the point that the vet will ask me to ask for a trot and he will do it without my instruction.
Mine isn't 'verbal' with me but he is with other horses which usually makes me laugh as it's so high pitched and girly.
I will also use slow words and gentle tone if horse is getting tense and will usually try to reinforce with a scratch or 'pat'/stroke which also has an effect on me. I will also reinforce good behaviour with a "gooooood" and usually if I am able, a scratch at the same time.
He does know "no, wrong lead" and will, most of the time, switch. He knows all basic voice commands (walk, trot, canter, more (trot, walk, etc.), up (aka more trot, walk, etc.), woah (though sometimes he's good at ignoring this) to the point that the vet will ask me to ask for a trot and he will do it without my instruction.
Mine isn't 'verbal' with me but he is with other horses which usually makes me laugh as it's so high pitched and girly.
lynz88
Well-Known Member
Mine will sometimes do this though the majority of the time he knows (now) that it doesn't mean "stop"
SantaVera
Well-Known Member
I talk to my horses a lot. They respond very well,seem to find it soothing and encouraging.