Re: Horse tricks? : / hmmm Spoiling horses or harmless fun?

hmm, i think if taught correctly there is nothing wrong with it, but like all things i belive the saying is a tools only as gd as the hand that holds it. a girl i used to work with had a pony who would rear up as he eknew it scared her, every time he reared up shed give him a cue, he then figured it didnt scare her anymore and only rears if this command is given.

Re: Horse tricks? : / hmmm Spoiling horses or harmless fun?

 i'm not saying your horse would. but there are lots of horses out there that would do it. take Minty for example - if i taught him to bow, he would just be a prat and do it one day when i'm riding. i'm not aiming at you or your horse in particular, just simply stating that i think all "tricks" are on the same boat, just one or two cannot be defined as dangerous and the others as okay.

Re: Horse tricks? : / hmmm Spoiling horses or harmless fun?

It was only a few decades ago that everyone believed teaching a horse to back up was dangerous as they could then use it against you. Now backing up is part of their education. Surely it is better to have control of all the movements and the horse perform a trick on cue?

How about kneeling down, suppose someone has bad legs and cant mount from the ground, but don't have access to a mounting block, so they teach their horse to kneel when they mount and dismount.

As for the comments about only experienced people should do it, well how do people become experienced. Riding itself would have started out as a trick after all. Hey check it out I can ride that horse!!

And I have never known anybody teach their horse to back up by waving their hands in the air, I have always told people to not wave their hands in the air at a strange horse.

If we are going to teach our horses tricks, whilst it is nice to assume we will have them forever if we ever did get into the position where we could no longer have them, surely we owe it to the horse to tell the future buyers all the details of the horse which would include any tricks and the commands it may have been taught, therefore avoiding the horse performing the trick by accident.

Nobody is an expert when it comes to horses. Those who people consider experienced will be the first to admit they are not. We are always learning with horses. What some consider tricks others may consider a vital part of their education. Who are we to judge?

Re: Horse tricks? : / hmmm Spoiling horses or harmless fun?

I hate to say this but natural horsemanship doesn't always help the situation and the best thing to do is to have a good instructor/professional in to have a look and see if they believe its a behavioural issue or possibly the result of a medical probelm. I tryed NH on my youngster and its caused all hell, NEVER again with him.

He does however have one lovely trick which is kiss, whereby he puts his nose forward and I kiss his muzzle. Other than that I would not teach him tricks as he's soon learn a way to use it against a person, he's my pride and joy but he's not a honest horse and has a nasty side.

I love classical's answer, so educational! I think the question of trick training depends on the trainers experience, ability and knowlegde. The horse's manners, trainablity, basis education, nature and so many more varianates.

Re: Horse tricks? : / hmmm Spoiling horses or harmless fun?

spent hours and hours on manners and senting up a dominatance level well above his, he doesn't challenge me anymore but still has to learn strangers aren't there to scare as a laugh. He's a real monkey and a huge challenge but he's not a horse I could ever part with as the best way to stop him misbehaving with strangers is for my to introduce them as i'm boss and I will discipline anything I see fit not him.

At no point is violence a good idea with horses like him tho, the best thing I can suggest is a professional to come have a look as sudden changes in personality and behaviour can be due to medical issues so he may just showing he's in pain and being defensive.

It worked with a tb I used to work with, he loved all the body langauge side of it but would have nothing any games. I think NH can work well buty an training is best made to fit the horse, and not under nessacurally under any brand or banner!