| Mary Ann, My horse does a few tricks. He can say yes and no on
command. He can 'count' or paw on command with either front leg,
and he can bow, except that I don't ask him to come down on his
knee (so he won't hurt it). I taught him to do these in about
a month or two 4 years ago. It's really cute, but sometimes he'll
keep doing them just so you'll give him a treat.
-Julie
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| I have been working on teaching a few tricks myself. Out of the
many you can teach, I prefer the ones that can be helpful.
I am working on two guys right now. They have learned to come to
their name. This is helpful in haltering. I refuse too chase them
around untill they and I are tiered.
Another was SHAKE. This one took about a week before they were
responding every time. Usefull in removing pinched skin under the
girth. To teach them this I gave the command "SHAKE" at the same
time I took a riding whip and tapped the rear tendon of the front
foot which I wanted too shake. When he lifted, I took the leg in
my hand, praised and gave a treat. Repeated once more and called it
a day. The next day I repeated twice more, each time praised and
gave a treat. The third lesson I gave the command, pointed to the
leg I wanted to shake, and waited for a response. Sure enough he
lifted his leg without the whip. I loved him all over for it. I
continued for a week, each time he responded, praise and treat.
After a week I slowly discontinued the treat untill they excepted
just praise. Now it's automatic. Command "SHAKE" and up comes the leg
I pointed to. This was to easy.
Some other tricks I am working on is "PRAY or BOW, COUNT, YES/NO
KISS or CHEEK, SHOULDER, ROLL THE BARREL " and on and on.
The trick too teaching tricks is be consistant with the command,
keep your lessons short (5 minutes or so) and frequent, let him/her
know she did just what you wanted (praise), also associate the command
with something pleasureable so he remembers, like a treat (most
relaxed when eating). If you show your love and appreciation, he
will love you back and be more willing. What I noticed from just
simple tricks is they become very eger to learn, even more
responsive under saddle and that's a definate plus for any horse.
Beleive it or not, the same goes for dogs, even cats. What I learned
from training a poodle and a lab I applied to teaching my horse.
Did you ever try and teach a cat to shake? Anyone who owns a cat
knows how much cats dislike having their paws touched. What seemed
impossible at first payed of in time!!! Just keep at it, be consistant
and patient.
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