3 new tricks!

So true!

A friend taught her horse to kiss.

Now if you are standing outside the stall (half door) and the horse wants your attention, it bops you in the nose. Yes, it hurts sometimes. It has freaked out more than one unknowing person.

If your horse knows to give you a "kiss" on the word "Kiss" and not holding a treat to your mouth I see no problem.

I'm afraid that is not typically true. Any animal that has been taught a trick for a treat may sometimes perform the trick looking for the treat.

I have a paint mare in for rehab that knows how to bow. The reason I know is that one day, about a week after she was here, I was giving another horse a piece of Alfalfa cube (that is what I use as a treat), and the mare went into a deep bow all on her own.

I bought a horse last year that was taught to rear on command with a rider on her back. It looked very cool and the horse was a gaited, black and white pinto. Unfortunately the horse would rear any time he wanted to refuse something. That horse went back within a few days. (this is a picture of him with his previous owner)


There is nothing wrong with teaching your horse to do tricks, but you must be very aware that, no matter what you would like to believe, that horse may perform the trick on her own.

^

I went through that issue with Jynx which is why I've stopped teaching her tricks until I learn how to properly. After teaching her to bow for food, it took me quite awhile to teach her that I DON'T want her bowing every time I pick her dang foot up! It took quite a few elbows into the muzzle to get her to stop trying to go down or nibbling on my sleeve for a treat.

I cut it out BEFORE I had my farrier get royally ticked with me. Some horses are great for tricks, Shay-la has taught her retired mare to rear and "count" and she does it perfectly - waits for her cue, does it nicely and waits for her treat. Some horses just don't have the mentality to do it ONLY when asked, or it takes a LOT longer, so just beware everyone! Tricks can be cute, but I can't even count how many horror stories I've heard of innocent tricks causing massive headaches.

What is PMS mean on your avatar?

Okayy I did state I don't care if people do or don't treach there horse tricks and why not to, I really do not care what so ever!

That was a very unnecessary, and immature, comment, ChloeButler09. Nothing was said to deserve that attitude. This is an open forum and suggestions as well as comments are not only wanted but expected - that is part of the purpose, so long as they are said in a respectful way - as has been done in this thread.

I really like these tricks and I think it's not hurting to teach them. It's all right though to tell people around what will come out in the end by teaching those tricks. But I love the tricks and I think your horse is adoreble! ;)