[Lupita]

On another thread people were talking about teaching a horse to paw the ground, or lift its foot which could lead to annoying or dangerous pawing... then someone else put a link to a fancy horse trick website but those tricks looked too complicated. Are there any simple "tricks" that are safe and fun for both you and the horse? And if so... any hints on how to train them?

[Blistering Winds]

Usually not. Most include "baddies" that we try NOT to teach a horse.

Many can lead to problems in the saddle, in show situations, or with other people who are not educated on your horses abilities and accidently cue for something.

[Dawn]

It all depends on what you consider a "trick". For instance, a side pass could fall into the "trick" category. Doing various voice commands can be "tricks" because they are not normally taught that way.

[SammyDoodle]

I often do a class called "Handy Horse" in local shows. This class involves opening and shutting a gate when on your horse, picking up a cup of water and riding in and out poles and putting the cup down at the other end, walking between bales of straw with balloons tied to them, hanging up washing on a little clothes line and stuff like that.

The "trick" there is to have a very well schooled horse who trusts his/her rider and will calmly take on any obstacle presented.

[Paint_luver]

I've taught my horse to "look away" when I give him food. This teaches him that if he's going to crowd and pester me for food, then he's not getting any. It really helps me out a lot!

Yes, a trick can be many things. Lifting up his hoof for you can be considered a trick (picking out his hooves). So in that aspect, yes, many tricks can be taught to your horse that are very useful indeed!

[cassidy]

first thing to ask yourself is y would you want to doesnt your horse do enough for you? if you think about it your horse lets you ride him lets you groom him lead him jumps even, even lets you pick up his feet trusting you while he stands on 3 legs! isnt that enough

[Sandra-A1]

Yes, there are LOTS of things you can teach your horse to safely perform!

Trick Training is THE one and only discipline calculated to create an equine companion.

Trick Training can be used in horses of all ages to help encourage communication and to perfect obedience and it's just plain FUN for the horse and the handler.

Trick Training helps the horse to make sense of the world of humans by creating useful cognitive skills that ensure that your horse will enjoy the challenges of training.

Trick Training is the class room for young horses as they are prepared to join the world of humans as near equal partners.

If you are really interested you will find this enlightening site MOST helpful and informative! Just click on the link!:
Allen Pogue's IMAGINE A HORSE!!!!

[barrelgirl08]

I know alot of ppl who teach their horses to bow. We used to kind of do this as a warm up to work on flexablity of the neck. what u do is stand your horse somewhere where you can drop ur lead rope and the won't run away a.k.a cross ties without them connected. And what we would do is just take a treat or a carrot or something your horse likes and bring it down towards the ground and your horses front legs and then you put it inbetween their front legs. After practice they make a movement that looks like they are bowing. Hope this helps

[i_luv_moth]

my pony knows how 2 put her 2 front feet on a box on command. itz safe just make sure the box is big otherwise it might b hard 4 them 2 keep balance. my frends horse impy can shake hands.he can bow.he can count.he can smile hes like a wonder horse!!!but yea the box one is pretty fun and most of the time it works but u need 2 b armed with a bag of carots!!!lol

[i_luv_moth]

o the site where all the tricks are on i think itz www.virtuallyhorses.com somthing like that.my frend made it she shows u how 2 teach your horse all the tricks hope this help!!HAVE FUN!from louise