Many horse owners dream of a cleaner stall and a more convenient way to manage their equine companions’ waste. The idea of “potty training” a horse might sound unusual, but as many experienced owners and trainers attest, it’s not only possible but can also offer significant benefits. This guide explores the methods, reasoning, and implications of teaching your horse to relieve themselves on command or in designated areas, drawing from the collective wisdom of the equestrian community.
The Case for Potty Training Horses
While some horses are naturally inclined to be cleaner in their living spaces, others tend to be messier. For those seeking to train their horses, the general consensus is a resounding yes. This training can simplify stall cleaning, potentially reduce discomfort for the horse, and even aid in specific situations like drug testing at competitions. The idea is that by associating a cue with the act of elimination, owners can gain a level of control over when and where their horses relieve themselves.
Who Trains Their Horses?
The practice of potty training horses isn’t new. Historical accounts suggest that even famous horses, like Roy Rogers’ Trigger, were reportedly house-trained. Similarly, therapy miniatures are often trained to be “housebroke.” Anecdotal evidence from the racing world points to whistling as a cue to urinate, which not only helps with consistent elimination but also assists with the frequent drug testing required in the sport. Many comments from horse owners confirm this, with some training their horses to urinate upon hearing a specific whistle or tune, which proves useful for competitive trail rides and general convenience.
Professional Equine Grooms have noted, “My horses urinate with a whistle, this makes for more comfortable rides for them, and easy drug testing at shows!” This sentiment is echoed by Tohni R., who states, “They whistle at the racetrack whenever a horse pees, then at the winners barn they whistle and the horse pees for their test.” Kelly B shared a similar experience, “My mom trained her horse to pee when she whistled “Old McDonald”… It worked really well for competitive trail rides.” Gayla L. further elaborates on the ease of this method: “I have taught all my horses to pee on command. It was very easy to do, every time they would start peeing I would start whistling, then rewarded them with a treat… Soon all I’d have to do is whistle and they would pee.”
Innovative Approaches to Potty Training
Beyond specific cues like whistling, many horse owners have developed unique and effective methods for potty training. These approaches often center around understanding the horse’s natural preferences and leveraging them for training purposes.
Harnessing Natural Dislikes and Preferences
A common theme in successful potty training is addressing the horse’s dislike of urine splashing on their legs. Many horses will actively seek out areas that minimize this discomfort.
Susan S bravely shared her experience, “I’ve been potty training mine for years now, ppl not only made fun of me, they thought it couldn’t be done! … My biggest amazement was my yearling, he was actually the easiest and picked up on each command as I noted in an earlier post!” She found that horses often learn quickly, sometimes “literally overnight at the first stage of getting on top of their cycle!”
Wendy S observed a similar behavior in her mare: “I have a mare that comes in from the pasture to use the bathroom in her stall like it’s her own private bathroom. Her daughter does the same thing!!” This suggests horses can develop preferences for where they eliminate.
Trainers often capitalize on this by creating preferred elimination spots. Donna C explained, “I put mat in her spot and she would move down so not to get it on her legs. She was at the end on paddock in 6 weeks.” Similarly, Melinda G. utilizes deeply bedded stalls and horse trailers to achieve this: “I have a welsh pony that is potty trained… She doesn’t like her “potty” splashing on her legs. A deeply bedded stall and horse trailer do the trick.” Erin H. found success with shavings or wood chips, stating, “The miniature horses I work with are trained to go in shavings or wood chips, all you have to do is tell them to go potty and stand and wait for a little while. Then they get a bite of grass once they go!” Anita S. also advocates for creating a dedicated spot with shavings, noting, “I put shavings in one spot where I would prefer horses pee…..and they do only on shavings…no splash. Find when training clean all of stall but one where you prefer poop. Always leave a few apples in that spot. Pretty soon that is only place in stall my horse poops.”
Establishing Habits and Consistency
Creating a habit is another cornerstone of potty training. This involves consistently reinforcing the desired behavior.
Tobi B- suggests a method for stallions: “We will put a pile of mares poop in the stall where ever we want him to poop once he smells this he will continue to poop on that exact spot and will continue to after getting gelded its awesome and makes life so much easier.” This leverages scent to create a target area.
Lori S- employed a similar strategy: “I just kept putting a small portion of the wet and soiled shavings in a pile outside his stall where I wanted him to go… He started to go outside on the pile I had made. Now I can totally strip it out and he returns right to the “correct spot” time after time.”
Brenda found success by using her mare’s manure: “When my boy was young I took some of my mare’s manure to a corner of his stall. He sniffed it as is predictable. But by consistently doing this, he began to target and pile his in that corner. It worked so easily that I did the same in the mare’s stall with my boy’s manure. It worked for her too!” Jeanna N emphasizes the ease of cleanup with this method: “You can train a stall kept horse to use 1 corner in their stall. It makes for an easy clean up!”
The Power of Reward
Positive reinforcement is a universally effective training tool, and potty training horses is no exception. Rewarding the horse for eliminating in the desired location or on command solidifies the behavior.
Linda S. shared her success: “My gelding will pee and poop in a bucket. He shows me he has to go and waits for the bucket… You just have to spend time with them and offer cookie motivation for good performance!” Wendee W also emphasizes praise and treats: “Lots of praise and a peppermint when they go out… It took a few peppermints, a soft spot, praise and patience.”
Linda S detailed a thorough process for her horse: “I would walk him to the opening to his run, and I would say to him, “Go potty” and I would send him out to an area that has deeper sandy dirt… Pretty soon he would start to stretch out and soon he would drop and go pee. I would say, “Good boy”!! Then as soon as he came back to me I have him a piece of carrot. Now he does his pee out there in that spot all the time and not one single time has he peed in his stall.”
Potential Downsides and Considerations
While potty training offers numerous advantages, it’s important to acknowledge potential drawbacks.
Tracy B noted a limitation with her mare: “She will poop but NEVER pee. I’m not excited though because if she is up all day I have to go out and walk her or she gets uncomfortable.” This highlights that training may not always be 100% comprehensive.
Abby D. found that while her gelding consistently used his designated corner at home, this behavior didn’t always translate to unfamiliar environments: “However, when we went to State Fair this year, since the stall was unfamiliar he made huge messes. Once we got back home, though, he went right back to his poop corner.” This suggests that consistency in unfamiliar settings might require further training or management.
The general consensus among those who have successfully potty trained their horses is that it significantly simplifies stall maintenance and can lead to a cleaner, more comfortable environment for both horse and owner. The key appears to be patience, consistency, and understanding the horse’s natural behaviors and preferences. For those considering this training, the rewards of a cleaner stall and a more responsive equine partner are well worth the effort.
