Post by Admin on Jan 24, 2016 21:27:22 GMT -7
Then introduce the ball! Ask your horse to target the ball, just like you did when teaching targeting. Say "target" or "touch this" or whatever cue you use. Then wait until the horse touches the object, then reward. It's good to teach the horse to target different things.
Once the horse can target the ball in front of his nose, then set it on the ground. Wait until he touches it. Then reward. Once he does that well, keep asking until he nudges it. Then reward for that. Eventually, the horse will begin nudging the ball!
Then you can teach the horse to pick the ball up. Hold it out and say "pick this up" or "grab that" or whatever cue you wish to use. Then wait. This took me one year to get Destiny to pick up the ball. It took me about 5-6 months to get Destiny to push the ball around with her nose. This might come quick for some people, it might take longer for others. But this should be fun, not a chore. Don't stress if your horse doesn't get it right away, or even within the first 6 months or a year.
Once your horse can nudge the ball and pick it up, then begin running with it! Your horse first needs to know how to run with you at liberty.
If you taught walking at liberty (which you should have) then teach trotting! Walk beside your horse then begin to run. If your horse shows no interest, just slow down and walk for a few more minutes. But if he shows any reaction at all to you running, praise! Even if it's simply raising the head or quickening the pace, reward that. Work up to trotting slowly over time. Don't use the halter to force your horse into a trot if he won't do it.
Once your horse can trot with you at liberty, throw the jolly ball! Then run after it with your horse. Once you reach the ball, ask your horse to play with the ball. Then the horse will either pick it up or nudge it. Reward! You can play games like this with your horse. Destiny loves playing with the jolly ball... It's her favorite toy!
The importance of this: it teaches your horse you're a fun person to play with, and that toys are fun to play with. You can also teach your horse to nudge other things and pick up other things as well. I've taught Destiny to knock over cones and pick up ropes and buckets for me. It's also a good way to develop communication and a friendship!
Once the horse can target the ball in front of his nose, then set it on the ground. Wait until he touches it. Then reward. Once he does that well, keep asking until he nudges it. Then reward for that. Eventually, the horse will begin nudging the ball!
Then you can teach the horse to pick the ball up. Hold it out and say "pick this up" or "grab that" or whatever cue you wish to use. Then wait. This took me one year to get Destiny to pick up the ball. It took me about 5-6 months to get Destiny to push the ball around with her nose. This might come quick for some people, it might take longer for others. But this should be fun, not a chore. Don't stress if your horse doesn't get it right away, or even within the first 6 months or a year.
Once your horse can nudge the ball and pick it up, then begin running with it! Your horse first needs to know how to run with you at liberty.
If you taught walking at liberty (which you should have) then teach trotting! Walk beside your horse then begin to run. If your horse shows no interest, just slow down and walk for a few more minutes. But if he shows any reaction at all to you running, praise! Even if it's simply raising the head or quickening the pace, reward that. Work up to trotting slowly over time. Don't use the halter to force your horse into a trot if he won't do it.
Once your horse can trot with you at liberty, throw the jolly ball! Then run after it with your horse. Once you reach the ball, ask your horse to play with the ball. Then the horse will either pick it up or nudge it. Reward! You can play games like this with your horse. Destiny loves playing with the jolly ball... It's her favorite toy!
The importance of this: it teaches your horse you're a fun person to play with, and that toys are fun to play with. You can also teach your horse to nudge other things and pick up other things as well. I've taught Destiny to knock over cones and pick up ropes and buckets for me. It's also a good way to develop communication and a friendship!