Tricks for Horse Training

Horses are powerful animals that can be dangerous without proper training. Taming and bonding with a horse may be accomplished through a number of tricks and techniques. There are no right or wrong approaches, but you should choose one in which you are comfortable. Also, make sure the horse responds positively. Further, experiment with different tricks to find out their effectiveness. Over time, a combination of various tricks should create a happy and obedient riding companion.

  1. Positive Reinforcement

    • You can train your horse through carrots ("positive reinforcement") or sticks ("control," see next section). Positive reinforcement entails asking the horse for an action, such as slowing to a canter, and after performing the action, rewarding her with a tasty treat. The animal might not understand how far to slow down, so getting the exact speed will take some practice. One way of ensuring a positive outcome is to make it difficult to do the wrong thing and very easy to do the right thing. Also, be sure your horse does not get overeager or "grabby" for treats. In fact, your horse may even become unwilling to complete the task until she gets a treat. This form of misbehavior "puts the cart before the horse" so to speak, and must be avoided. The horse must complete the task before giving her a treat.

    Control

    • Horses are stronger than humans, but, fortunately, they do not know that. Teach your horse that you have control over her. One control trick is known as doubling. It involves pulling the horse's head back toward the rider in the direction the rider wants to turn. When the horse makes the turns, the animal should be urged to move forward with a light kick. This should be done three to four times each time an untrained horse gets ridden.

    Clicker Training

    • A variation on positive reinforcement training is "clicker training." This type of training is a trick in which a signal substitutes for a reward. There may be many riding situations in which you cannot reward your horse on the spot with a treat for performing a desired task. However, the animal can be influenced to associate the "clicking" sound with something good through operant conditioning. That is, treats are always accompanied with a clicking sound. After the horse understands the connection, the clicker alone can be used for "rewarding" the horse.

    Consistency

    • Whatever tricks you use, be sure to employ them often. In an ideal situation, you should ride and train your horse several times a week for at least a few hours per session. The more time you spend with your horse, the more she will understand your commands. Further, the extra time will help you understand your horse better.