Training The Trick Horse

Rediscover some of the magic of your childhood and how it can change the way you work with horses. Trick training is one of the best ways to make your horse your friends. It includes Bowing, Kneeling, Sitting, Lying Down, Carrying Objects, Crossing the Forelegs, Unrolling Carpet, Standing on a Pedestal, Walking on a Balance Beam, Jumping through Streamers and more.

A practical guide to using reward-based training techniques to create a true partnership with your horse. This leads to lifelong connection, effective problem-solving and joyful performance.

A world champion trainer shares her secrets for developing a well-behaved, responsive horse.

Step-by-step instructions for over 25 tricks that can be performed by horses such as smile, count, act "drunk," wave a flag, bow, lie down and pray, sit up, and pedestal poses.

Groundwork and trick training specialist Sigrid Schope has found that diversifying her training techniques leads to happier, more engaged horses, not just on the ground, but even when practicing their regular under-saddle schooling routines. Here she shares her techniques, using positive, conscientious methods that are easy to follow and a whole lot of fun!

The Higher education for your horse! Trick training is one of the best-and most enjoyable-ways to enhance the intelligence, adaptability, predictability and desire of today's companion horse. In the process of teaching your horse many new skills you will discover - a safer, more confident equine companion-a "thinking" horse a horse with a "can-do" and "want-to-do" attitude a horse who displays willing compliance a better performance horse, whether in the show ring or on the trail And you will improve your horse's desire to interact and engage with you move beyond mechanical, rote learning to a new level of intelligence and self expression give your young horse a curriculum of learning that will send him to the head of the class improve everyday skills such as trailer loading, veterinary treatment, working with the farrier and hoof trimmer interact with your horse on a reciprocal level beyond your wildest dreams "Sue and Allen's Enlightened Trick Horse Training is, to my knowledge, the first trick-training method that honors the horse's intelligence and individuality." - Susana Gibson Founder and Publisher trailBLAZER magazine The Trick Horse Companion brings Trick Horse Training into the modern age of animal behavioral science. It bridges the human desire to be as one with the horse and develops a lasting and functional bond with the horse. Today's more enlightened horse enthusiasts want to know how to forge a closer relationship that includes the happiness of the horse. The Trick Horse Companion clearly explains how and why horses think and act as they do which is elementary to creating a mutually satisfying and sustainable horse/human bond. Most animal behaviorists agree horses are among the smartest of all domesticated animals, and the authors believe they are capable of much more than is ever asked of them. Horses make strong associations between objects and actions which is why we utilize plenty of props, including pedestals to mount, large balls to herd, small balls to retrieve, beanbags to sit upon, Frisbees to retrieve and cleat boards for targeting. Enlightened Trick Training is not an end point but rather a bonding and educational journey. It encourages communication and desire for interaction from the horse which promotes willing obedience as he learns to engage and respond on a higher level. All categories of Tricks are presented seamlessly and build upon each other to result in a highly- educated and responsive horse. A horse who is truly a companion, an individual that will enrich your life. "Companion" signifies the horse is elevated in his relationship with us and is a pleasure to spend time with. A companion horse may be a performance horse of any discipline or sport, a saddle or trail horse or a rescue horse-and he is a safer horse. Horses make powerful associations between objects (props) and actions, and by adding positive reinforcement including food treats, you can expect to see rapid results. Horses love this education because it is easy for them to understand and it's fun-not like work, but more like play. In all elements, the trick quickly becomes the reward rather than the work."

From the author of the #1 bestseller The Man Who Listens to Horses, a book for all of us seeking to strengthen our human relationships "Monty Roberts will make you marvel."—The New York Times Book Review In The Man Who Listens to Horses, Monty Roberts revealed the depth of communication possible between human and horse. Touching the hearts of more than four million readers worldwide, that memoir—which spent more than a year at the top of The New York Times bestseller list—described his discovery of the "language" of horses and the dramatic effectiveness of removing violence from their training. Now, the world's most famous horse gentler demonstrates how his revolutionary Join-Up technique can be used not just for horses, but as a model for how to strengthen human relationships. With vivid, often deeply moving anecdotes, Roberts shows how the lessons learned from the thousands of horses he has known can provide effective guidelines for improving the quality of our communication with one another—from learning to "read" each other effectively, to creative fear-free environments, and, most importantly, teaching belief in the power of gentleness and trust.

Horseplay and Harmony focuses on safe and responsible trick horse training methods using positive reinforcement. No ropes, no whips and non-force methods. If you were wondering how to do it, look no further! Years in the making and it's finally here! A book full of easy to follow, step-by-step instructions and full color photographs demonstrating each of the tricks you want to learn. Trick horse training is not only fun, it is extremely beneficial in bonding with your horse, shaping behaviour and building trust. Each of the photographs in this book are of 100% Morgan horses that Caylyn has personally worked with and trained using the methods illustrated in this book.