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Horse Tricks 101

Simple ways to create a special bond with your horse

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Horse Training Articles

Playing Catch With Bella

I like to offer my horses different toys to play with and see what they want to do with them.

Letting your horse have a say in the play process will really increase your horse’s motivation and enjoyment.

I had been originally teaching Bella to fetch, but then she started to pick up the ball and throw it. She really enjoyed doing that so we played around with her throwing the ball to me to catch, rather than continuing with ‘fetch’.

 

3 Simple Ways You Can Start Creating A Special Bond With Your Horse

Super easy ideas you can start using today.

CLICK HERE to download your FREE eBook

3 Principles

Most horses will happily do anything you ask if these 3 principles apply:

  1. The horse is physically able to do it.

Your horse must be able to physically do what you are asking and it must not cause him any pain or discomfort. If your horse finds something difficult or painful they just won’t want to do it. (And we want trick training to be lots of fun for you – and your horse).

If you have an older horse or one that has injuries then look at tricks that are easier for him to do. For example I rarely ask Trigger to do a Full Bow (down on his knee) because of his age. But there is a trick called the Simple Bow which is much easier for older horses to do and still looks really nice.

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How To Teach Your Horse Treat Manners

Some people worry that using treats during training will cause their horse to become pushy, nippy and turn them into a horrible food monster!

Unfortunately this is likely if your horse doesn’t learn how to behave around treats. For most horses food is their favorite thing and they just want some… NOW!

Thankfully it is easy to teach your horse to have perfect manners around treats.

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31 Things To Do With Your Horse (other than riding)

Here are 31 fun and useful things to do with your horse – other than riding…

Bonding Time

  1. Take your horse for a walk and explore the neighborhood. Let your horse graze, sniff and see new sights.  In the wild horses travel vast distances and come across different things every day.  Your horse will really enjoy exploring new places with you.
  1. Hang out with your horse. Sit in your horse’s pasture. No agenda. You might find that your horse will come over and stand near you and enjoy this ‘do nothing’ time. Take a book if you find it hard to just sit.

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