Trick Training Your Horse is one of the most rewarding journeys you can embark on with your equine partner. It’s more than just teaching flashy moves; it’s a powerful way to build communication, trust, and a deeper connection. By moving beyond traditional riding, you open up a new world of interaction that stimulates your horse’s mind, improves their physical coordination, and strengthens your bond in unimaginable ways. This guide will walk you through the essentials of getting started, ensuring the process is safe, fun, and beneficial for both you and your horse.
The foundation of successful trick training lies in understanding equine behavior and learning theory. For a deeper dive into foundational principles, exploring common sense horse training can provide valuable context. It’s not about forcing your horse into unnatural positions but about shaping their natural behaviors into delightful tricks through patience and positive reinforcement. This approach makes learning a game, turning your training sessions into an activity your horse genuinely looks forward to.
Why Bother with Trick Training?
Some equestrians might wonder if trick training is just a frivolous pursuit. The reality is, the benefits extend far beyond simple entertainment. Engaging your horse’s brain in this way provides crucial mental stimulation, preventing boredom and a sour attitude. A horse that is mentally engaged is often happier, more willing, and more cooperative in all aspects of its life, including ridden work.
Moreover, trick training enhances your horse’s body awareness and physical fitness. Tricks like the bow, jambette (lifting a front leg), or a simple spin require your horse to use its body in new ways, improving balance, flexibility, and proprioception. This increased physical control can translate to better performance and soundness under saddle. Most importantly, the communication skills you develop are invaluable. You learn to read your horse’s subtle cues, and they learn to trust your guidance, creating a partnership built on mutual respect.
Getting Started: The Essentials for Success
Before you start teaching your horse to bow or smile, it’s crucial to have the right foundation in place. Safety should always be your number one priority. Ensure you are working in a safe, enclosed area free of distractions. Always be aware of your position relative to your horse to avoid accidental kicks or steps.
Essential Tools and Mindset
- Positive Reinforcement: This is the cornerstone of modern trick training. Use treats, scratches, or verbal praise to reward your horse for trying and succeeding. This makes learning a positive experience they will want to repeat.
- Clicker Training: A clicker is a fantastic tool for marking the exact moment your horse does something correctly. The “click” provides precise, immediate feedback, followed by a reward.
- Target Stick: A simple stick with a ball or piece of bright tape on the end. It’s used to guide your horse’s movement without pushing or pulling, encouraging them to think for themselves.
- Patience and Short Sessions: Horses have short attention spans. Keep your training sessions brief (5-10 minutes is plenty to start) and always end on a positive note. Progress is measured in tiny steps, not giant leaps.
Understanding the horse’s perspective is key. Much like the nuanced approach required for training a horse in any discipline, trick training demands empathy and clear communication.
Your First Trick: Teaching the Target
The “target” is the perfect introductory trick and a building block for many others. It teaches your horse the basic concept of the “game” and introduces the clicker.
- Introduce the Target: Hold the target stick a few inches from your horse’s nose. Out of curiosity, most horses will reach out and touch it with their nose or lips.
- Mark and Reward: The instant your horse touches the target, click the clicker and immediately give them a treat.
- Repeat: Take the target away for a moment, then present it again. Repeat the process. Your horse will quickly make the connection: touch the target, hear a click, get a treat.
- Add a Cue: Once your horse reliably touches the target, you can add a verbal cue like “touch” just before presenting it.
- Build Duration and Distance: Gradually ask your horse to hold their nose on the target for a second longer before the click, or to take a step towards the target to touch it.
This simple exercise establishes the rules of communication and builds a foundation of confidence for more complex behaviors.
Easy and Fun Tricks for Beginners
Once your horse has mastered targeting, you can move on to other simple and safe tricks. These are great for building confidence and adding variety to your sessions.
The Smile
Teaching a horse to “smile” is often just shaping a natural behavior—the Flehmen response (curling the upper lip).
- Method 1 (Taste): Find a taste your horse enjoys making a face at, like a bit of apple cider vinegar on your fingers (ensure it’s safe). When they curl their lip, click and reward. Add a cue as they learn.
- Method 2 (Touch): Gently tickle or rub their upper lip or gums. When they lift their lip in response, click and reward. Slowly shape this into a full “smile.”
The Kiss
This is an adorable trick that builds on targeting.
- Target Your Cheek: Instead of holding the target stick, present your cheek to your horse. When they touch your cheek with their nose, click and reward.
- Add the Cue: Once they are reliably targeting your cheek, add the verbal cue “kiss” before you lean in.
The Head Nod
This trick teaches your horse to respond to a physical or verbal cue with a “yes” or “no” nod.
- “Yes” Nod (Down): Hold a treat or target below their normal head position, encouraging them to lower their head to get it. Click and reward for the downward motion.
- “No” Nod (Side-to-Side): Use a target to guide their nose from one side to the other. Click and reward the head-turning motion.
Remember that progress with advanced horse training techniques, even simple tricks, is never linear. There will be good days and bad days, and that’s perfectly normal.
Advancing Your Skills: The Bow
The bow is a more complex trick that requires a solid foundation and good body awareness from your horse. It should only be attempted once your horse is confident with targeting and understands how to offer behaviors.
How to Teach a Horse to Bow
Teaching the bow requires breaking it down into tiny, manageable steps. This process, known as shaping, is fundamental to more complex training.
- Leg Lift: First, teach your horse to lift a front leg on cue. You can do this by touching their leg (similar to how you ask them to pick out their hoof) and rewarding the lift.
- Stretching Forward: Use a target to ask your horse to stretch its head and neck forward and down. Reward them for reaching towards the ground between their front legs.
- Combine the Movements: Now, ask for the leg lift while they are stretching down. This is the hardest part. You may need a second person to help lift the leg initially. Reward any attempt to lower their body while one leg is lifted.
- Shape the Bow: Gradually ask for a lower and lower stretch, rewarding small improvements until your horse is bending its standing leg and achieving a full bow.
This trick can take weeks or even months to perfect. Be patient and celebrate every small bit of progress. The trust you build while teaching such a vulnerable position is immense. It’s a testament to the partnership you share, a concept familiar to followers of trainers like the esteemed Paul Valery horse trainer, who emphasize the horse-human relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is trick training safe for my horse?
Yes, when done correctly, trick training is very safe. The key is to never force your horse into a position, to listen to their body language, and to build up strength and flexibility slowly. Always consult a veterinarian if you have concerns about your horse’s physical ability to perform certain movements.
What kind of treats should I use for trick training?
Use small, high-value treats that your horse loves and can eat quickly. Pieces of carrot, commercial horse treats, or hay pellets are all good options. Avoid anything large that could be a choking hazard or overly sugary treats for horses with metabolic issues.
How long should our training sessions be?
Keep sessions short and sweet, especially in the beginning. Five to ten minutes per day is more effective than one long session per week. Always end on a high note, with a successfully completed trick, to keep your horse motivated for the next session.
Can I trick train an older horse?
Absolutely! Older horses can benefit greatly from the mental stimulation and gentle stretching involved in trick training. Just be mindful of any physical limitations, such as arthritis, and adapt the tricks accordingly. Simple tricks like targeting, smiling, or nodding are perfect for senior horses.
What if my horse gets frustrated or loses interest?
Frustration is a sign that you’re asking for too much, too soon, or that your horse doesn’t understand the question. If you see signs of frustration (pinning ears, swishing tail, looking away), simply take a step back to an easier trick they know and can succeed at. End the session on that positive note and try again another day.
Conclusion: A Partnership Built on Fun
Ultimately, trick training your horse is about much more than the tricks themselves. It’s a journey of discovery that deepens your understanding of your horse and strengthens the bond you share. By using positive reinforcement, patience, and a sense of play, you create a language of mutual trust and respect. This foundation will carry over into every other aspect of your horsemanship, from groundwork to riding. So, grab a carrot, a clicker, and get ready to have some fun. The amazing partnership you build will be the greatest reward of all.
