How to Make a Horse Bow

Teaching a horse to bow can be a fun trick for your horse to perform. As with any other horse-training techniques, teaching a horse to bow requires an experienced horse handler. For those unfamiliar with horses, the risk of getting hurt is high. Keep practice sessions short but consistent. Patience, persistence and hard work will pay off and your horse will be bowing for its audience in no time.

Things You'll Need

  • Round pen or safe enclosure
  • Bedding (ceder chips or sawdust)
  • Fan rake
  • Halter
  • Lead rope with snap
  • Treats (apples or carrots)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select an enclosed area free of any dangerous objects or items that may be distracting to the horse or handler. The footing in the enclosure should be flat and smooth.

    • 2

      Place a large amount of soft bedding in the center of the enclosure. Spread the bedding around using a fan rake. Continue this process until the floor is covered with a layer of bedding 1-foot deep.

    • 3

      Put a well-fitting halter on the horse. Snap a lead rope onto the halter. Lead the horse into the enclosure and pull the gates shut behind you. Lead the horse into the center of the enclosure away from any fences or other obstacles. Drape the lead rope over the horse's back so it is out of the way. Stand to the left side of the horse.

    • 4

      Place a treat in your hand. Put your hand a few inches below the horse's nose. When the horse lowers its head to take the treat, lower your hand a few more inches. When the horse lowers its head again to take the treat, give it the treat as a reward, accompanied by a scratch and words of praise. Continue luring the horse's head down until it is comfortable eating the treat at knee level.

    • 5

      Repeat step 4 to continue to encourage the horse to lower its head repeatedly until the horse will eat the treat between its legs. If the horse backs up to try to get the treat, ask it to walk forward instead. Repeat this until the horse will willingly stand still with its head between its front legs.

    • 6

      Gently lift up the horse's front left foot and hold it in a comfortable position. Allow the knee of the horse's leg to bend in the same way you would hold the horse's leg up to clean its feet. While holding its leg, slowly encourage the horse's head down in between its legs. Use the same manner as in the previous step. Continue practicing this until the horse will lower its head with its leg lifted. Reward the horse often as you train.

    • 7

      Lift up the horses left leg again and lure its head between its legs. This time, lower the treat even farther down, and pull back on the leg to encourage the horse to rest its knee on the ground. If the horse lowers its head and leg, reward it with treats and praise. If the horse does not lower its head and leg, go back to previous steps and practice until the horse is more comfortable.

    • 8

      Repeat step 7 until the horse willingly sets its knee on the ground and lowers its head each time you hold the treat between its legs. After the horse understands how to bow, you can preform this trick in other areas besides the safe enclosure.