teaching a horse to bow, rear, sit, roll over, etc.

loosie · 05-24-2006, 09:02 PM

Hi,

Do you know about/have you used Clicker Training? Go to www.clickertraining.com & www.theclickercenter.com to learn more.
There's also www.imagineahorse.com which is specifically about trick training & also has a forum.

As for safety with regard to teaching tricks, just be aware of potential issues & think about how you can avoid them. Eg. teach a horse to rear only to a very specific, unique cue, that is unlikely to be given accidentally. For eg. I taught my boy to rear to a spiralling up hand signal and whistle at the same time. If he did it without both signals, it didn't get reinforced.

With regard to other people, I'd still advise the above, but it is common for animals to respond to their trainer but not to others. You could also reinforce this if you wish - actively teach your horse to ignore other people's cues for certain behaviour.

Also, with regard to safety & making sure the horse only offers the behaviour when cued, this is just part of the lesson that is often overlooked. When someone teaches an animal some 'trick', they often get as far as getting the behaviour on cue & declare that the horse 'knows' the behaviour. Think of a horse 'knowing' a behaviour when he not only does it on cue, but understands not to do it UNLESS it is cued. Make sure, after the initial training, that the animal is NEVER reinforced for the behaviour if it wasn't asked for.

HAVE FUN!

SlickasMom · 05-24-2006, 10:39 PM

For teraching my horse to kneal, or bow, I lifted up one of his front feet and my friend lifted the other, then as hewent down, I said "down" then after doing that for a while every day, he will "bow" as soon as I say Down!;/

Cavalier · 05-25-2006, 12:22 AM

Teaching horse to bow is fine, along with a few other tricks.

Question - WHY do you want your horse to rear on command? IMO it should only be done by 'professional' trainers with a purpose for it...not just to say 'oh look, my horse can rear on command'.

It sounds like you don't have any idea on training a horse to rear...and that to me is dangerous territory.

Blistering Winds · 05-25-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickasMom

For teraching my horse to kneal, or bow, I lifted up one of his front feet and my friend lifted the other, then as hewent down, I said "down" then after doing that for a while every day, he will "bow" as soon as I say Down!;/

if you ever come back the board, I would like a more thorough explanation of this.

You lift one foot, your friend lifst the other.

So basically you take his feet out from under him and slam him into the ground????

A bow is usually taught you lift one leg, ask for them to back, as they set their hind toward the ground, their front legs stretch in front of them.

That is ONE way you can train for it.

The second is a treat between their legs, they reach and reach. Though i'm not impressed with those bows much. I like the strech bows better.

Barn_Brat · 05-25-2006, 10:12 AM

I know how you teach a horse to shake its head

sublimechic2222 · 05-25-2006, 10:53 AM

im sorry barn brat,i didnt mena it to be a snotty post...

just saying no one horse is totaly bombproof, every horse will spook at SOMETHING.

Kissitgoodbye · 05-25-2006, 10:57 AM

I taught Diamond how to lay down this year. She learned it really quickly. She bows... Only with a carrot.

Ask Shotgun about the Spanish walk. I saw her videos and she inspired me to continue to teach Diamond

NeighNeigh · 05-25-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickasMom

For teraching my horse to kneal, or bow, I lifted up one of his front feet and my friend lifted the other, then as hewent down, I said "down" then after doing that for a while every day, he will "bow" as soon as I say Down!;/

Wow, you guys must be strong!

I'm trying to picture Shannond and I each picking up one of Stetson's front feet at the same time...

Yeah, Shannon, let's try that this weekend!!!

Launa · 05-25-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickasMom

For teraching my horse to kneal, or bow, I lifted up one of his front feet and my friend lifted the other, then as hewent down, I said "down" then after doing that for a while every day, he will "bow" as soon as I say Down!;/

This really can't be true. I can't imagine doing that. I really don't think the horse is going to stand still for this.....having two of his legs snared by people......my horses would freak. Not to mention it would be a risky way to train. Nah......I don't think so.

sublimechic2222 · 05-26-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickasMom

For teraching my horse to kneal, or bow, I lifted up one of his front feet and my friend lifted the other, then as hewent down, I said "down" then after doing that for a while every day, he will "bow" as soon as I say Down!;/

that is pretty much near impossible unless you have a horse that weighs no more than 100 pounds and the other person snatched the other leg.

i really dont think any horse,no matter how good he is picking up his feet would be dumb enough to lift up the other next to it and fall down.

iono seemed straaange to me

05-25-2006, 10:57 AM	#17
Kissitgoodbye Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,872 Images: 68 Blog Entries: 4	I taught Diamond how to lay down this year. She learned it really quickly. She bows... Only with a carrot. Ask Shotgun about the Spanish walk. I saw her videos and she inspired me to continue to teach Diamond __________________ They can because they think they can. Virgil

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05-24-2006, 09:02 PM	#11
loosie Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 806 Images: 6	Hi, Do you know about/have you used Clicker Training? Go to www.clickertraining.com & www.theclickercenter.com to learn more. There's also www.imagineahorse.com which is specifically about trick training & also has a forum. As for safety with regard to teaching tricks, just be aware of potential issues & think about how you can avoid them. Eg. teach a horse to rear only to a very specific, unique cue, that is unlikely to be given accidentally. For eg. I taught my boy to rear to a spiralling up hand signal and whistle at the same time. If he did it without both signals, it didn't get reinforced. With regard to other people, I'd still advise the above, but it is common for animals to respond to their trainer but not to others. You could also reinforce this if you wish - actively teach your horse to ignore other people's cues for certain behaviour. Also, with regard to safety & making sure the horse only offers the behaviour when cued, this is just part of the lesson that is often overlooked. When someone teaches an animal some 'trick', they often get as far as getting the behaviour on cue & declare that the horse 'knows' the behaviour. Think of a horse 'knowing' a behaviour when he not only does it on cue, but understands not to do it UNLESS it is cued. Make sure, after the initial training, that the animal is NEVER reinforced for the behaviour if it wasn't asked for. HAVE FUN!

05-24-2006, 10:39 PM	#12
SlickasMom Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 13 Images: 3	For teraching my horse to kneal, or bow, I lifted up one of his front feet and my friend lifted the other, then as hewent down, I said "down" then after doing that for a while every day, he will "bow" as soon as I say Down!;/

05-25-2006, 12:22 AM	#13
Cavalier Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,698 Images: 236 Blog Entries: 18	Teaching horse to bow is fine, along with a few other tricks. Question - WHY do you want your horse to rear on command? IMO it should only be done by 'professional' trainers with a purpose for it...not just to say 'oh look, my horse can rear on command'. It sounds like you don't have any idea on training a horse to rear...and that to me is dangerous territory.

05-25-2006, 10:12 AM	#15
Barn_Brat Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,302 Images: 7 Blog Entries: 5	I know how you teach a horse to shake its head

05-25-2006, 10:53 AM	#16
sublimechic2222 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: virginia beach Posts: 227 Images: 70	im sorry barn brat,i didnt mena it to be a snotty post... just saying no one horse is totaly bombproof, every horse will spook at SOMETHING.