HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

A reader sent in this photo of her dog and I had to pass it on…

 

THE 4TH OF JULY…

Last year on the 4th of July, I wrote about Parade Horses.   I had much fun researching and writing that article!  If you’d like to read it, here is the link.

This year on 4th of July, the only idea I had was to write about parade horses…

Hmmmm.  I seem to be a one-trick pony around the 4th of July.

Speaking of tricks…

TRICKS

When I started to think about parade horses and trick ponies, I thought that maybe it would be fun to learn how to teach a trick or two.

(My horses already know many tricks… but most of those are for making ME do something that they want, not the other way around.)

And, I’m not saying that I’m totally into teaching tricks but I have to admit that I love a little girl who has taught her pony tricks.  So, I decided to go hunting to find a simple trick that we could all learn and teach if the mood struck.

TRICK TEACHING BOOKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After doing a google search, I found several books on the subject.  The one that caught my eye was called, TRICKONOMETRY.  You can purchase it on Amazon (linked here) where you can also find it’s newest version ADVANCED TRICKONOMETRY.

Now, there are many books and many trick trainers… the only reason I picked excerpts from this particular book was because there were excerpts from this particular book.  The others were a bit stingy with the information.

And, I liked this book because it is spiral bound which makes total sense for any horse work.

OK, so, here we go!

A FEW TRICKS

I decided to post this first trick because it seems like a good way to get your horse to put his head down to be haltered.  It is called Teach your horse to act “Ashamed” but I don’t really like that idea.  So, I’m going to call it, “Teach your horse how to be haltered”.

Teaching Your Horse to Act Ashamed (an exact excerpt from Carole Fletcher, the author of TRICKONOMETRY) OR as I like to call it:

TEACHING YOUR HORSE HOW TO BE HALTERED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1:

Have a halter and lead rope on your horse, standing him in an aisle, stall or next to a fence. Stand in front of him, and with a small piece of carrot in your left hand, reach behind your back and under your right arm, turning your body slightly so he can see it. At the same time, raise your right arm level with your shoulder, and in a scolding tone of voice, say, Shame on you!

Step 2:

Make him lower his head, reaching under your right arm for the carrot. You can encourage him by gently pushing his head down with your right hand on his poll, if necessary. Let him eat the carrot, and while doing so, drop your right arm around his head, pet him and reassure him he is good, in a soothing tome of voice. Repeat this several times in one session, say, over a five to ten minute period, but no longer, so that he doesn’t tire of it.

Step 3:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2, until your horse immediately drops his head under your right arm, upon hearing the words, Shame on you! and the raising of your right arm. Remember–your tone of voice in important here, so be sure to sound like you are scolding him.

Your horse is learning that the cues he should respond to are body position, your tone of voice and voice command. Be consistent in those cues, and reward him when he gives you a right answer. With his head hiding under your arm, it will appear as if your horse is ashamed. I like to use this trick when he hasn’t gotten something right.

IF YOU ARE INTO TRICKS, HERE ARE A FEW MORE:

— Teach your horse to shake his head “No”

— Teach your horse to nod his head “Yes”

— Teach your horse to “Smile”

 

ANOTHER KIND OF DISAPPEARING ACT – ANYONE NEED A 4TH OF JULY ADDITION?

Because 4th of July is such a holiday of Independence, I wanted to showcase a few horses that are available for adoption.

The first three are in Northern CA… (Here is the website to check out all of their donkeys and mules.)  I know how easy and wonderful donkeys are so I think anyone who has space/the wherewithall should have a set.  Also, this mini-mule sounds adorable!

“If anyone is interested, we’ve got donkeys here, at our rescue.  Some are BLM freezebranded ones.  We actually have a “bookend” matched set right now, too.  They’re small.  One’s a jenny and the other is a gelding.

Braydon is a titled BLM burro gelding.  He is about 11 hands tall.  He is in his early teens.  Braydon has had a bit in his mouth, and a saddle on his back, plus he stands tied.  He has NOT been ridden.  He leads, is great with his feet, and readily loads into a trailer.  Adoption fee plus processing fee will be $200.

Kate is a titled, BLM jenny, in her mid teens.  She stands about 11 hands, is friendly, enjoys stratches, massages and ear rubs on a daily basis.  Kate is very good with her feet, is halter-able and leads.  She loads fairly easily into a trailer.  She is on a diet and has lost a few pounds, and is looking good.  Kate is UTD with 4 way and WNV. Adoption fee plus processing fee for Kate: $150.

 

 

Oh, and if anyone is interested, we’ve got a very smart, willing mini mule.  Lil Red is only 2 years old, and is VERY – VERY much a people person.  He’s been clicker trained to roll a ball back, been ground driven and had an extremely light pack on his back.

Anyway, I thought that I’d update you on the available ones for adoption, that reside here.  My email:  vfreeman@digitalpath.net”

Lil Red is a 2 year old mini mule.  He stands 36 inches tall.  Red has had beginning target training, has been taught to ground driving, plus pack (an exceptionally light load).  He crosses foot bridges,and will go through ditches.  Red readily jumps into a trailer.  Lil Red is a total sweetheart, a bit of a pistol, that will do well with a mule savvy owner.

Red is UTD with 4 way, WNV. This smart, smart mule needs a job!  While here, he has become a lovable puppy, er…lil mule!

 

 

AND ANOTHER…

Available for Adoption at Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue – Birte, born 2007, Virginia Range Mustang Mare. Birte is available for someone with horse knowledge. This little mare is responsive, light and very sensitive. She is incredibly athletic and would be perfect for jumping or possibly endurance. She loves to play with anything she can find to pick up or jump over. She is a gorgeous bay roan color that seems to change every week. If you want a mare that can take you anywhere or do anything then this is the one. She is ready to begin saddle starting.

IN CONCLUSION

If any of you can adopt an equine, please do.  Independence is so taken for granted as a human…

 

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

 

 

 

Copyright

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