How to: Teach a horse to target and pick up items.

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Comment by Ayesha on January 24, 2012 at 9:48am

Some people are very weird with what they consider to be 'praise' I often cringe when I see a horse that's done a massive jumping course, sweaty hot and cleared the whole thing and you see the rider patting the horse so hard it's like 'SLAP SLAP SLAP{' and I bet if the horse does something wrong in the yard, they get the same sort of slap....people wouldn't like to be 'slapped' when they do something well so I don't see why they think it's any different for a horse, a tidbit and a scratch behind the ear or on the withers is a wonderful thing x

Comment by Marlene Thoms on January 24, 2012 at 9:45am

Another weird thing about him is this. I always tell him he's a good boy when he performs correctly, and scratch or treat, but when I first got him he would actually flinch when I said "good boy" or tried to rub, scratch him. Someone did some weird training with that guy.

Comment by Marlene Thoms on January 24, 2012 at 9:41am

Thanks Ayesha, I am definitely tuned. My guy does realize I am (sometimes) a "vending machine". And I have learned from dog training and working with him how to  avoid getting mugged for treats. I have taught Sharif to come to my whistle, he will come charging to me and leave a field full of alfalfa for a bit of carrot or apple, funny eh?

Comment by Ayesha on January 24, 2012 at 5:27am

Glad you all enjoyed it. Marlene the key to clicker training is first of all teaching the horse that the click is followed by a reward.

You don't have to own a clicker, a key word or a click of the tongue will do, first of all you teach the horse to treat you like a vending machine, so get him to touch the teddy or your item of choice each time click and then immediately after reward him. Once he gets the hang he will realise that the click means he has done something right and you can use it for any situation, whether it means standing still at the mounting block or teaching him tricks, once they know the click means they have done something right and will be rewarded most will go out of their way to please! The click is basically the signal that the treat is coming and makes it easier to reward rather than trying to hand them a treat in time. It also teaches manners because the click confirms a treat is coming their way so there is no need for mugging etc (you can even clicker train them not to mug you if they are that sort of a horse) Contrary to popular demand clickertraining and using treats actually creates better mannered non nippy nibbly horses if done correctly.

Ive got lots more tutorials coming up so I hope you will stay tuned :)

Comment by Marlene Thoms on January 24, 2012 at 12:35am

Thanks for this. I've been wanting to teach my guy to pick up things but wasn't sure how to do it. He works well for treats, but I should learn clicker training. Do you click and treat at the same time?

Comment by Barnmice Admin on January 23, 2012 at 5:55pm

What an informative and fun video. I love it! Thank you for sharing!! :)