Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Trick pony, anyone?



Greta's kissy-kissy trick on video. And she has learned a new one, hugging. Cute stuff, really. I've tried teaching her other things, but if she's not gung-ho about it in the first place, I'm not successful in continuing the training. Which is allowed, because she's gung-ho about everything else in training: ground manners, riding, the important stuff. And no, she is not going to learn how to rear. That's one of the stupidest things you can teach your horse in most circumstances.

So far the failed list includes bowing, raising a hoof, and smiling. She doesn't do a lot of "smiling" in the first place, even with funny smells, so I didn't have much to work off of there. She's too smart to put her head between her legs to bow - she'd much rather just step backwards to my hand and/or look at me like, "Girl please." And she is dead-set that the only way to raise a hoof is if you make to pick it. And she has no problems whatsoever with hoof picking or picking up her hoof, so I'd rather not make it a problem. And she doesn't paw, so I have nothing to work off of there. And I'd rather not teach her to paw!

Any trick ideas? Seriously, we're starting to get pretty bored now ;)

5 comments:

  1. You know how some people "square dance" with their dogs....? Maybe you could do something like that. It would be HILARIOUS

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    Replies
    1. hahahahaha! If I can't get her to bow, I don't think I could motivate her to square dance!

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  2. Ozzy does kiss, smile, bow, which hand, hug, back rub, lay down, and fold like a pretzel. I had him waving for a while, but I didn't want it to turn into pawing so I knocked it off.

    http://youtu.be/kfzwUuo5TYA

    http://youtu.be/4OoB_V488T4

    I need to do a new video...

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    Replies
    1. We also 'box', but that's one I would only teach to a horse I KNOW is not going to bite or use it against someone.

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    2. TOO CUTE!!!

      Greta could do fold! It would just be like a bigger hug! And a good stretching exercise. She could which hand, too.

      I've always wanted to teach her to lie down and then get up when I get on her, but I have no idea where to start or if that would be too much strain on her hind legs for right now.

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Comments are greatly appreciated and, most importantly, Greta loves you for commenting ♥

Thanks guys!