[lilrider]

How do you teach a horse to lay down? My arab gelding rears, and shakes on command. I would like to teach him to bow and lay down also. He is a quick study and loves to do his tricks and strut his stuff. Any site recomendations or videos or books or old therads here even maybe? Thanks

[Goonhorse]

I don't know for sure if this book has lying down or not, but there's a book called Trickonometry by Carole Fletcher. I'm looking at it in a Valley Vet Supply catalogue right now, but I'm pretty sure it's in other catalogues.

[lilrider]

Hmm I think my library might even have it at home. They have the 101 Arena Exercises by Cherry Hill. I *heart* my library

[Britt5286]

I hope what I am going to say makes sense. When I taught my horse to bow I would pick up her leg closest to me. With my other hand I held a treat just far enough that she would have to reach for it through her front legs. Every time she would lean to get it rather than hop back to get it I would give her the treat, let her take a breather, then try it again with each time going a bit farther down until she would bow all the way. It got to a point where I would touch her chest and leg like I would pick it up and she would bow. Let me know if you understood that. I can try to explain it a different way if it is confusing.
Britt

[shsmith]

I taught mine to bow...simply holding the treat at her chest and using one word "bow" in the same tone every time, no other words except "goooooood" when she lowered her head to her chest to get the treat. Then as I was able to get her to lower her head just by voice command then I moved my arm behind her front leg and held the treat there, and did the same thing until on voice command she would come further down. THen keep going a little further at a time until she tucks her head far enough that she HAS to kneel to be able to get far enough to get the treat. At that point I'm holind the treat further back under her belly.
She'll willingly go all the way down on one knee and literally touch her forehead to the ground. When she stands back up I give her the treat.
It's a great one for guests to see.

Also taught one of my boys to shake his head no.....tickle his ear by barely touching the fine hairs inside the ear until he shakes his head because of the tickle. You can keep doing this in the same manner as described above. All I have to do is point at that ear, and he shakes his head no.

The yes is similar, but just get the horse to bring his nose to his chest, and then ask for more nods once he gets it.

There are lots of websites that talk about laying a horse down, and that it's not just a "trick", it's actually an effective technique for building confidence and trust with a horse once layed down. It involves hobbling one leg, and bringing them down with the other. But I've never tried it, You must have a LOT of experience to do this.

If you browse the net I'm sure you'll find something.

[mandiemoo]

ive taught 2 horses two different ways. i taight my horse by using food and putting it between her chest. it works when i pick up the foot and ask her back with food. and ive taught a horse to go back using pressure.
1) i stand by him with my right shoulder by his left shoulder. i have a halter and lead rope on him, preferably rope halter and elad.
2)i have the lead rope going over his right shoulder and coming across to meet me on the left side. i hold lead in my left hand.
3)i pic up the left foot with my right hand, i twist the chestnut slightly when asking for the hoof and syaing leg.
4) when he pics up the hoof hold it and using the lead in the left hand i gently pull back and he should slowly move back and bow. and saying the words bow over and over again. dont always reward with TREATS more so reward with pats and verbal rewards.
5) when just starting to do this. please only do it a few times a day. as when starting off, its important u dont rush. ive taught a horse to take my hat off and also kiss. i would like to teach more anyone has any ideas??

[APHAgurl91]

Originally Posted by Britt5286

I hope what I am going to say makes sense. When I taught my horse to bow I would pick up her leg closest to me. With my other hand I held a treat just far enough that she would have to reach for it through her front legs. Every time she would lean to get it rather than hop back to get it I would give her the treat, let her take a breather, then try it again with each time going a bit farther down until she would bow all the way. It got to a point where I would touch her chest and leg like I would pick it up and she would bow. Let me know if you understood that. I can try to explain it a different way if it is confusing.
Britt

then when you went to pick her hooves what happened?

[APHAgurl91]

Originally Posted by mandiemoo

5) when just starting to do this. please only do it a few times a day. as when starting off, its important u dont rush. ive taught a horse to take my hat off and also kiss. i would like to teach more anyone has any ideas??

ive been wanting to teach my horse to kiss... can you tell me how you did it?

[Britt5286]

APHAgurl91:
I would say bow as well. Thanks for reminding me that I forgot something. She would only bow when I said bow and then touched her leg or chest. Sorry for the confusion.
Britt

[lilrider]

Yes I knew that wa to teach them actually I wa sthinking mayube there were others. As for laying down anyone have suggestions for this trick? Oh kissing sounds fun I would be interested in how you teach that as well