There are plenty of ways to teach horses tricks that are safe and fun to do. Trick training these days can be practiced by anyone. Myself included!. There is no limit on the amount of tricks a horse can learn, and if you can think it...a horse can probably do it (within reason, obviously he can't fly a plane or build his own stable) After all jumping is nothing more than a trick, but its taught in a different way, using force, correction and monotomy as is the same with teaching dressage moves. Trick training is about having fun, experimenting bonding, and really learning how you communicate.
I use clicker training with my mare as its easy to instantly tell the horse what they are doing is right. However I do not over use this tool as it is possible for your horse to lose his flare and become robotic. I like my horses to be energetic and playful.
You can teach most horses a variety of tricks to improve your bond, communication, and to just have a bit of fun rather than always doing jumping etc.
The principles of successful trick training can be hard. Your horse needs to know a que word that is associated with him getting the 'answer right' and after this word he is immediately rewarded. People often think trick training using treats causes horses to bite, this is not the case if it is done properly, it is usually people who constantly feed treats into the horses whether they get it right or not that makes the horse nippy and horses who get rewarded for rummaging in pockets. Before you set out pocket nibbling, begging and nudging is now allowed. I usually stand with a treat in my closed hand, the hand is only opened when the horse stops nudging it and looks otherwise no longer interested in it. This is how you teach him to accept treats
. You must distinguish clearly what you want and reward instantly when he gets it, and as he improves dont reward half hearted attempts, you can decrease the amount of treats you use as your horse gets better at doing the trick until a pat or a well done is acceptable. Once he understand what you ask, use a key word such as 'bow' and no longer reward him when he does it without you asking him. This will get rid of 'begging' behaviour.
Start with a simple trick that cannot harm anyone to see what sort of brain your horse has, some horses become very hyperactive when being trick trained and its not advisable to carry on unless you have experience in trick training already.
I like to start out with a 'back up with me'
You can start this with a halter.
Standing at his shoulder apply light pressure whilst walking backwards slowly, whilst saying 'back' release pressure when he does so and say 'yes' and reward with a scratch in his faveorite place or a polo, whatever works. Repeat this step until he is going back without pressure. You can remove the halter, stand at his shoulder, and step back whilst saying 'back' and reward when he does so, Enthusiasm is the key!
He will get this very quickly and you can see how fast a learner he is. You can make this more difficult once he has mastered it and stand behind him and see if he will back up to you when you say the key word. Then maybe try it whilst riding, using no rein pressure. Reward consistantly
If you want to see my own horses doing various tricks and liberty dressage moves check out our youtube: www.youtube.com/ThundersRose and check out my videos and my favorite videos for tutorials, and inspiration. More videos will be up soon, with new tricks and ridden games also.
My inspirational friend is one to watch for 'highschool dressage tricks' she now does regular shows in the Netherlands and has made a name for herself on youtube. Shes a fantastic horsewoman who really knows her stuff
19 January 2011 16:41