Think carefully about which tricks you want to teach your horse.  There are some tricks that can be quite dangerous if not performed in a safe area and by an experienced person, for example rearing or lying down.

Some horse tricks can be dangerous

Horses will sometimes, particularly in the early stages of training, do tricks without being asked.  This is partly because they are keen to get a treat and they haven’t yet learnt that they ONLY get a reward when ASKED to do a trick.  You should never give your horse a treat unless you ask them to do something and they do it.

You don’t want to be out riding one day and your horse decides to perform his newest trick (without being asked) – lying down with you and your saddle on board.  Or even more dangerous – your horse decides to rear.  Rearing is a trick that requires strength, calmness and excellent balance from your horse.  Your horse could do enormous damage to himself (and you) if he doesn’t get it right and flips over backward.

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A common problem when you first start showing off your horse’s new tricks is ‘Stage Fright’.

It goes like this…..Your horse performs a trick perfectly and promptly when it’s just you and him (or her). But tell some friends what a wonderful trick horse you have, invite them around for a demo and it’s almost as if your horse never knew the trick!

A trick not going to plan

Some horses don’t mind how many people are around or what is going on, but the majority of horses will see this as a new situation and at the very least will be a bit distracted. Your horse may also be nervous about having extra people around. To a horse, extra people can mean something is about to happen eg a visit from a vet or farrier; two very necessary professionals but people that your horse may not like or is worried about.

You could also be nervous or anxious about showing the new trick and your clever horse to your friends. We all know that horses pick up on nerves and your mood.

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

Trick training is fun for you and your horse

Teaching your horse tricks is an excellent way to build a better bond with your horse.

You will find that Horse Trick Training opens up communication between you and your horse and you will understand each other much better.  Your  horse will become very keen to learn and will really enjoy these training session.

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

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

If you would like a copy of the Horse Trick Training ebook just fill in the form up the top right and we will email you a free copy of Part 1 titled “How To Get Started”.

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

1. Introduction

2. Why Teach Your Horse Tricks?

3. All Work and No Play (having fun with your horse)

4. Trust & Training  (the importance of trust)

5. When to Train (when & how often you should trick train)

6. Getting it right (teaching your horse to know when they do the right thing)

7. Getting it wrong (teaching your horse to know when they do the wrong thing)

8. Equipment (you probably have most of it already or it is cheap to buy)

9. Rewards & Treats (my horse’s favourite part – ideas & recipes for treats)

10. Homework (some things you need to do to make training easy)

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.