Trick Training Your Horse To Success

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

New Edition. A step-by-step guide, by world champion trainer Jan Sharp, to teaching your horse to perform tricks, including objectives, benefits, and the typical problems and their solutions. Training a trick horse is not that much different that teaching him to perform a showmanship pattern or to negotiate a trail course. You are simply taking the training a step further by asking the horse to be a little more of everything - a little more focused, a little more obedient, more trusting, more responsive, and so on. And, in return, you are increasing your horse's trainability and predictability (not to mention marketability) in a unique and fun way - for both you and your horse! The trust and cooperation developed though trick training will last a lifetime. The training produces a more responsive, willing, confident, and happy performer, which in turn will help give your horse an edge in the show ring, as well as being a safer trail and family companion. Detailed ground work is included that will help solve some of the most common equine bad behaviors and better prepare your horse for learning, especially for the young, unhandled, or spoiled horse. Detailed photos and easy to follow instructions walk you through each step of the training. In addition to the pride and sense of accomplishment gained by trick-training your horse, it is impossible not to develop a deeper bond after the close contact and extra training time you will spend with him. You will enjoy him more, take greater pride in him, and perhaps provide that extra care to make him as happy and healthy in his body, mind, and soul as he can be. Your horse will be such a joy to work with that your veterinarian and farrier will thank you! Be inspired to think outside the box, and use the techniques in training trick horses to achieve the results you desire in your horse. Who doesn't want a horse that is more responsive and more attuned to your voice, body language, and aids, no matter what your horse's breed, discipline, or career might be? The tricks covered are: Bow, Rear, Lie Down, Circus Bow, Buck Jump, Give You A Hug, Cross Legs, Spanish Walk, Push Objects, Honk A Horn, Horse Laugh, Yes And No, Pick Up Objects, Stand On A Pedestal, Sit Down From A Stand, and Sit Up From Lying Down.Case studies feature real life problem horses and how trick training turned them into superstars - in the show ring, on the trail, and especially in their owner's heart. Each horse pictured is not only a high-schooled public exhibition trick horse, but also a champion in the show ring. Jan's trick horses have earned multiple world championships in all disciplines, been featured in magazines, and television commercials. Her Supreme Champion stallion, TS Black Tie Affair, was honored by the Breyer Company with a model in his likeness.

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.

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.

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."

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!

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.