How to teach your Horse New Tricks

Horses are creatures of habit and therefore willing partners when asked repetitive commands. A horse of any age can learn simple tricks with the right motivation. When it responds quickly to the cues, it can master more complicated ones. Problem horses can bond with a trainer by learning tricks, paving the way for learning more traditional riding skills. Trick training is also useful for days when the weather prevents riding or the horse is becoming ring sour.

You'll Need

Halter
Lead Rope
Horse treats

• Select one trick that takes a simple cue to perform. Teaching a horse to nod "yes" or shake its head "no" are good requests to teach first.
• Offer palm-size horse treats to entice a response. Commercial equine cookies, apple slices or carrots pieces will keep the horse's attention.
• Request the action verbally while giving the cue. Softly touch the whip in the area you want the horse to move, such as behind the poll for a head shake. This will associate the word and touch with the command so that future requests will not always need a treat.
• Praise the horse with tone of voice, a pat on the neck as well as the treat. Positive reinforcement is important even if the response is only slight.
• Repeat the request and respond with praise a couple more times to reinforce the cue.

Tips 

Spend only 10 minutes for teaching a new trick. If the horse does not respond to the cue, try later in the day or the next day. Once the horse understands the cue, practice several times a day for a few minutes every day for several days to reinforce the command. Do not give the treat if no response, but do not punish the horse physically or verbally either. Make this a fun training session, with the reward when it reacts correctly. Avoid biting and other bad horse behavior by not always giving treats after the horse has learned the cue. If the horse becomes demanding, stop treats completely. Avoid biting and other bad horse behavior by not always giving treats after the horse has learned the cue. If the horse becomes demanding, stop treats completely. Children can teach a horse tricks but the sessions should always be supervised by an adult.