We practised the head between the legs to bow again today. This time I had some baby carrots for rewards! I'm not usually a treat-giver when training but the rewards are highly recommended for helping learn tricks so I'll see how it goes. One of the first things taught in the book is manners when it comes to your horse knowing you've got treats. And that's what Linus is doing in the picture above. I made him back up and then whoa. Then I backed away from him and he had to stay put until I clucked for him to come over. If he moved, then he was put back into place. This clicked for him almost instantly and I was very proud! Especially since I didn't tie Allie up and she was standing beside me which Linus doesn't usually like. He likes to make it known that I'm his human!! : )
I'm using the word "bow" while offering a treat a few inches behind (and between) Linus' forelegs. It's a work in progress but towards the end today he was starting to catch on from the command. It could take months to do it without a treat but I'm very pleased with how it's going so far and it's definitely giving him something more to think about!!
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Good job! It's hard to teach them to stay put while you back up, especially after you've trained them to follow you on a lead rope!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys are having a lot of fun there!
ReplyDeleteLinus is so curious that he is making this fun! He is going to be the Albert Einstein of horses. You are always going to have to be careful around him because he is so smart he could pick up bad habits very easily. This is so wonderful that you take the time to keep him engaged and interested.
ReplyDeleteLINUS :) Love to see him again :) He is so clever, you are blessed with such a lovely boy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all the nice comments! I hadn't really thought of it that way Janeen! Good point, maybe it worked so well because I didn't have the lead rope on him? And I held my hands up, palms open which is meant to help horses know to stay back. I'm just happy it worked! Sometimes I feel like he needs someone higher qualified than me to keep him going but we seem to be doing good!
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