This message is from: "Mary Sergeant" <mkserge...@gmail.com>
We have used the "turn away" trick with all of our horses. An owner taught it to her gelding so he wouldn't intimidate my granddaughter after a riding injury. All of the horse at our barn understand how to "ask" for treats. We swear that while some learned from their owners, others learned from watching other horses. Our two Fjord mares, while relatively new to us, learned very quickly. (Of course, these food-driven Fjords will do anything for treats!) One of them has her own version, and kind of bows when she asks for a treat. Even our huge Percheron gently turns his head to the side when asking (well, begging) for a treat. It is great fun to see a line of horses all turning their heads to the side as soon as they see anyone approach the treat bin. Mary With Ingrid and Nellie in Colorado where it is relatively warm today. -----Original Message----- From: owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com [mailto:owner-fjordho...@angus.mystery.com] On Behalf Of kbatche...@aol.com Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 6:15 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: Things to do when you can't ride This message is from: kbatche...@aol.com Robin-- You can definitely use clicker training with Fjords, but as with everything, you have to be thoughtful about what you teach because mine will drive it into the ground to activate the human treat dispenser. We taught our coming four year old Clyde to "turn away" from the treat to avoid mugging. Now, most mornings, he will approach me, make eye contact, touch me gently with his big cow nose and start repeatedly swiveling his head more and more vigorously until he is almost swinging his hip into me. WHY isn't this dispenser working?! Actually endearing in a weird way... My older guy, the cribber, is difficult to clicker train because after just a couple of tasks/rewards he is scanning the horizon for a pillar or post to crib upon. That has been frustrating, but also fun to try to keep his attention focused for longer and longer. I have clicked him from the saddle to touch his nose to things that he fears, which has worked really well. When he starts to stiffen up on a trail ride, I give him a touch command and he uses his left brain instead. The only problem, again, is that he tends to drive it into the ground. When we ride down our street, he will now weave from mailbox to mailbox, touching each one with his nose and then turning expectantly with his camel lips outstretched. Kris in NC with Monark, Kasper and Clyde "If we do clicker training, does that mean you won't get on my back today?!" **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
