It’s hard to admit but a few years ago I realised that most of the horses I had owned would rather be in a large field, eating grass with their horse friends, than being ridden or working with me. 

Make it fun when you are around

Now I understand why. 

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I read an old book recently and it talks about horse personalities and how a different style of training is required for each type.  I think it is important to find out what type of horse you are working with so you can adjust the way you train to suit the horse personality. 

Looks like a Type 1

The book talked about how all horses could be classified under one or a combination of two or more of the following types:

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 What about a useful one?

"Give me a kiss"

There are so many tricks you can teach your horse.  There are all the usual ones like Kiss Me, Hug Me, Say Yes, Say No, but also have a think about useful tricks you can teach your horse.  These can make life a lot easier (and safer) around your horse.

"Pick up your foot"

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One of the most important things….something that you must have to be able to really teach your horse to do anything is TRUST.

If your horse is worried that you will hurt them or make them do things that can hurt them or put them in danger, you won’t have a willing partner. Your horse needs to relaxed and happy otherwise they just won’t learn much at all.

Do you trust each other?

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It’s amazing what you can use to teach your horse new tricks or to get them used to just about anything.  I’m always on the lookout for cheap and fun items to use as my trick training equipment.

Fun trick equipment

I really like to use Pool Noodles to get my horses used to things that move and brush against them.  Trigger is happy to eat his feed while these colourful noodles lightly bang against him and fly around on windy days.  This helps when I am out riding and we are moving through some thick bush – he doesn’t mind at all if branches brush against him.  He is also good when strange objects flap in the wind.

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Believe it or not….Trigger (the chestnut horse in the pictures) is 18 years old.  We have only been together for just over a year.  He used to be a barrel racer but is now retired from that line of work.

Trigger feeling young

I thought he might struggle to learn new things.  But although it took him a little longer to get the idea in the beginning, now he understands what I am asking him and he has been picking up new tricks as quick as a young horse.

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Most horses love treats and this is the best reward you can give them when they do something right.  Some horses are more than happy with a scratch or pat as a reward but it’s usually food that really inspires them to perform.

Some favourite horse trick treats

I have tried 100’s of different treats to find the best training treat.  Most horses love carrots and there are some really yummy horse pellets that are convenient and make cheap treats.

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Thanks for all your comments about tricks you would like to teach your horse. Part One of our Horse Trick Training ebook is nearly ready and will be emailed out very soon.  

Here is what you will find inside Part One of the ebook…..

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Hi, welcome to Jain & Trigger’s horse trick training site.

Jain & Trigger

You can teach your horse to do any trick. You just need to know the basics of how to teach a horse trick and then you can use those basics to teach your horse anything!

It’s simple, fun and only takes 10 minutes a day.

Most tricks, even the more complicated ones are made up of a few simpler tricks put together. You just need to teach your horse these few tricks and you can teach them to do almost any trick.

You will also find it will get easier and easier to teach each new trick as you learn the principles of teaching tricks and your horse begins to understand what you want.

Trick training is a wonderful way to build a relationship with you horse.  You will find that your horse will become very keen to learn and will really enjoy these training session.

It is also great way to work through any problems you might be having.  I have used tricks to help horses get over problems with head shyness, loading onto trailers, fear of new objects and a whole host of other issues.  You just need to take your time, build trust between you and your horse and most importantly make it fun for both of you.  You will find that the relationship you have with your horse will get better and better.

My current trick horse ‘Trigger’ and I are working on an ebook that covers these basics of Trick Training and includes a step by step guide to some of the simpler tricks, basic trick equipment you will need, yummy recipes for trick treats and ideas to make learning lots of fun.

We would like to hear from you.  Just fill in the form up the top right and tell us why you would like to teach your horse tricks and as a thank you we will email you a free copy of Part 1 of our Horse Trick Training ebook titled “How To Get Started”.

If you have any issues you would like help with or any good ideas that you’d like to share then join us on the forum (click on the Forum link at the top of the page).

Have fun,

Jain & Trigger.