| The time it takes for your horse to learn a new trick | | | | horse. However as you teach a horse new things they |
| will depend on several things. These include age, | | | | will begin to understand from the cues, body language |
| temperament, attitude and previous training (both yours | | | | and words that you use what you are asking them to |
| and the horse's). Also horses are very much like | | | | do. Your horse will learn each new trick faster than the |
| people in that they learn at different speeds and they | | | | previous one. |
| find some things easier or more enjoyable than others. | | | | The more tricks you teach your horse the better you |
| Age | | | | will also become at teaching. You will work out the |
| Older horses generally learn quicker than younger | | | | best way to teach your horse, the time you need to |
| horses because they tend to have a longer attention | | | | take, the best times and places to teach your horse |
| span. There is also a good chance that a more | | | | and this will decrease the time it takes to teach each |
| experienced horse may have already done part of a | | | | new trick. |
| trick you are teaching them. Eg. the first part of | | | | Short regular training |
| teaching your horse to bow is to have them easily pick | | | | I always recommend teaching your horse in short |
| up a leg and most older horses would be used to | | | | regular sessions (eg a few minutes several times a |
| doing this when you pick out their feet. | | | | day) rather than longer sessions spaced apart. Training |
| Temperament | | | | this way works well with your horse's short attention |
| If your horse is the nervous alert type this can work | | | | span. |
| for you or against you. An alert type of horse tends to | | | | Each day practice a new trick (or part of one) for a |
| learn very quickly as they are so aware of everything | | | | maximum of 10 minutes. Some horses will get the idea |
| that is going on around them and they tend to be | | | | on the first day others may take up to a week. It is |
| enthusiastic learners. However, if your horse is very | | | | worth continuing to practice even if your horse doesn't |
| nervous and always worried or distracted they won't | | | | seem to be "getting it". You will find that all of a sudden |
| learn as quickly - their mind will be elsewhere. | | | | they will make the connection. Once your horse 'gets |
| A quiet, calmer horse will tend to take a bit longer to | | | | the idea' continue to practice the trick for several days. |
| learn new things and be less enthusiastic but they are | | | | Spend time on the basics |
| safer and more predictable. They also tend to be | | | | Some folk are very keen to teach their horse a new |
| forgiving of mistakes and will accept new or strange | | | | trick and rush through the basics. They don't spend |
| objects easily. | | | | time making sure the horse thoroughly understands |
| Attitude | | | | what they are asking before moving onto the next |
| Attitude is different to temperament and is something | | | | trick. This can cause a horse to become confused and |
| that a horse develops, due to their experiences rather | | | | actually waste time by having to 'undo' the incorrect |
| than something they are born with. A horse that has | | | | training. Spend time making sure you horse |
| had a hard life or has been abused is much less likely | | | | understands each part before moving onto the next. |
| to trust or want to work with humans. This type of | | | | You will find this will actually help your horse to learn |
| horse can be won over, but it takes a lot of time and | | | | tricks quicker than if you try to rush things. |
| patience. | | | | Remember to have fun! |
| Another type of horse whose attitude can make it | | | | Most importantly have fun! There will be some tricks |
| harder to work with is the one that has 'switched off'. | | | | that your horse just won't enjoy doing. Don't force it - |
| He or she might have done the same thing day in day | | | | he will be good at other things. My horse isn't that |
| out for years and they lack motivation. Usually trick | | | | interested in fetching objects so I only ask him to do it |
| training is an excellent way to motivate these horses | | | | every now and again and focus on tricks he enjoys - |
| again. Because you will be doing something new most | | | | like saying yes, dancing and lying down. However I |
| days and there is a reward at the end, you will see | | | | owned a thoroughbred a few years ago that loved |
| these types of horses come alive. | | | | the fetch game. I could throw a ball way down the |
| At the other end of the spectrum are horses that | | | | paddock and he would hoon off after it and canter |
| have a really positive attitude and love to learn. They | | | | back with it. I'd get bored with the game before he did. |
| are naturally curious and think humans are wonderful. | | | | I haven't met a horse yet that couldn't be taught tricks. |
| Previous training | | | | Some horses depending on their age, experience or |
| The more a horse learns the easier it becomes to | | | | temperament can take a bit longer than others. |
| train. An untrained horse straight out of a paddock has | | | | However if you take your time teaching your horse |
| no idea of what you want them to do. You have not | | | | the basics and make it have fun you will find that you |
| formed a bond or a way to communicate with that | | | | will be able to teach your horse just about anything! |