| Copyright 2008 Eternal Sun Stable |
Logo art by Amy Lacy
Eternal Sun Stable
| The Pose Teaching your horse the pose has many benefits. It not only strengthens their muscles but also encourages "polite" manners. Here are two ways to get this behavior. Pressure/release of pressure. Photo 1 Place your index finger in a pointing gesture at about the center of the horses nose about half way from their eyes to their muzzle. Gently make contact at this spot and stay with them until they pull their face in towards their chest and away from you. Immediately remove your finger and click/treat. Continue this until the cue evolves into just a pointing gesture towards their face. Targeting - Photo 2 (to come) To use this method your horse must understand the Targeting behavior. Have your horse target your hand a few times so they know that this is the active target. Now move your hand in a motion that travels from below their nose in towards the front of their chest. Click and treat when they attempt to follow and ultimately touch your hand. As they do this, it will encourage them to lift their poll as they follow the target. Be careful so as not to put too much energy into this which might cause them to take a step backwards. The goal is to have them keep their feet still but lift their poll and withers and gently rock back on their hindquarters. |
| Photo 1 |
The EQUINE LEARNING CENTER at ESS