Trick or Treat: Teaching Your Horse To Kiss YouBy Carole Fletcher
Look at Maxwell out there in his paddock, half-asleep, sunbathing by the fence. You're glad he's not chewing on it. You feel a trifle bad - guilty is more like it - that you haven't had time to ride him like you should. You know he's bored silly and that he's got the "smarts" to learn just about anything.
But, wait! There is something the two of you can do that doesn't require the necessary time for grooming, tacking, riding, and cooling out. Nor do you need an elaborate round pen, riding ring, or expensive equipment. Teach him tricks! You can teach him in a stall, barn aisle, or in a ring - perfect for those cold wintry days when you can't ride. Inside your horse there's a fertile mind waiting to be developed. Inside you there's a ham waiting to break out into show biz.
You can entertain friends in your barn or Aunt Sally with your horse's antics. He will shine with intellectual achievement, seem brighter, more interesting. He will love the attention and praise. You will beam with pride at your accomplishments and anticipate what trick you can teach him next. Sound challenging and exciting? You bet it is!
Learning To Trick-Train
How do you go about learning how to teach him tricks? There are a few books or videos on the subject of trick-training. Most performers and trainers of trick horses are reluctant to reveal their methods. In my opinion, much is left for the horseperson to figure out for himself.
After a long time spent observing horses and figuring out signals and responses, I produced several trained trick horses which I eventually presented for 23 years to fairs, expos, festivals, resorts, theme parks, horse shows, rodeos, camps, schools, parades, and on TV audiences all over the country. The methods prescribed here also have worked for other horses I've trained successfully, and should work for you.
First, there are some things you should know about your horse:
1.Listen to your horse. Learn to understand him, and learn his language.
2.Observe your horse out in the pasture or paddock. Really, he knows how to do all the movements; he knows how to bow on one knee, two knees, lie down and sit up. We are going to ask him to perform these "tricks" on command from you - the trainer.
3.It's absolutely necessary to have your horse trust you. Spend lots of time just being with him. Lean over the fence and talk to him. Watch him while he is eating. Develop a togetherness, a companionship, and a sense of bellonging to each other.
4.Carry rewards. We all know that horses love carrots. Pet him in addition to giving him the reward when you are near him, and he will soon look forward to the cresses as much as the treat.
Remember: Your horse - your companion - wants to please you! A word of caution here: While the reward system of training is the greatest in the world, it can be overdone or applied at the wrong time. In these initial training stages, be sure your horse has done exactly what you asked of him, and in a mannerly fasion - not "mugging" you for a treat - before you reward him with a carrot. Unless you demand absolute manners and perfection in whatever you ask of him, it will not only confuse, but will slow down the training process as well.
Manners Maketh The Horse
Although any horse, from a weanling to a senior horse, can learn tricks, it will be much safer for you and for your horse if your faithful steed knows basic ground manners and has a sold foundation in handling before attempting tricks. This foundation includes: haltering, leading, stopping, standing quietly for grooming, having feet picked up, and tying.
The "trick horse" learns from cues just like any other horse. The cues are from your body position, your hands, legs, seat, and the crop. Ask for a response often, demand little, and reward generously for any likeness of the movement you ask for. You ask for a movement or gesture, he makes some correct response, and then you reward with a small piece of carrot.
The first few lessons on teaching your horse tricks beging with what I call the ABCs of learning, simple tricks that require no elaborate equipment, but are essentially taught with patience, companionship, and reward. The recommended sequence of training described here is not an absolute prerequisite to schooling your horse, but it has worked for me, and I believe it has its merits. I like to begin with teaching a horse to use his head, neck, and mouth.
There are so many amusing and clever tricks a horse can do with his mouth alone. The horse's mouth is almost as versatile as the human hand. Very often young horses explore the world with their mouths. Your horse can be taught to kiss, smile, pick up and hold things, carry items, wave objects, push and roll them, fetch and retrieve, untie knots, and drink from a bottle (plastic, please!), plus many more tricks. The possibilities are endless, and it only takes your imagination to conjure them up. Be sure when you start to teach a horse a trick with his mouth that he takes treats in a mannerly fastion and in no way attempts to grab or bite at it.
Step 1
Have a halter and lead rope on your horse, standing him in a stall, an aisle or next to a fence. Stand in front of him, facing him. Hold a piece of carrot in your right hand. Let your horse know it's there, but don't give it to him. Place the carrot firmly next to your face and let him smell it. He know's it's there, and will probably attempt to get it by reaching closer to your mouth for it. Command, "Kiss Me!" while raising your head. As soon as his mouth touches your hand or cheek, give him the carrot. Repeat this several times, giving him the command each time and continuing the suggestive movement of your head.
Note: Important! Your horse should be mannerly while taking the carrot. Do NOT reward poor manners, and exercise caution in watching he does not get over-eager, and in trying to reach for the treat with gusto, nip or bite. Actually trick-training is a wonderful way to teach horses to take treats in a mannerly fashion, but you must be aware at all times of your safety.
Step 2
Repeat Step 1 until your horse is reliably nuzzling you on your cheek, which you immediately reward witha carrot. Stand in front of your horse, raise your head slightly, without the carrot next to your cheek, and command, "Kiss Me!" When your horse raises his mouth and nuzzles your cheek, pet him and give him a carrot. Repeat t his process until your horse thoroughly understands the trick and reponds quickly. Do not continue until he tires of it (and he will). Two to three training sessions a day are about all he needs at this point to perfect this trick. Now he'll give you a sloppy horse kiss whenever you ask for one. And he won't even "kiss and tell!" Now you might rename him "Maxwell Smart!"