| It is very important that once you start teaching | | | | likes. This will encourage him to work harder to get |
| your horse tricks that you ONLY feed your horse | | | | the treat. My horse, Trigger, loves some little trick |
| treats from your hand if he does something that you | | | | biscuits I make or very small pieces of carrots. Small |
| have asked him to do. You horse needs to learn that | | | | amounts of your horse's normal feed (especially ones |
| the only time he gets a treat from now on is if he | | | | with some molasses) works well too. Try out a few |
| does something you ask AND he does it correctly. | | | | different treats and see which ones really get your |
| If you feed your horse treats at other times he | | | | horse's interest. |
| won't make the connection between doing something | | | | One thing we want to avoid is creating a horse that |
| right and getting a treat. You may also find that | | | | becomes pushy or nippy around treats. There are a |
| several other things will happen - your horse may get | | | | few ways you can prevent this from happening: |
| confused during trick training or he won't try very | | | | |
| hard to learn a new trick or he will be constantly | | | | 1. Only give your horse a treat AFTER they have |
| mugging you for treats. | | | | done something you have asked them to do. |
| Many people like to give their horses a treat just | | | | 2. Give your horse the treat AWAY from the treat |
| because it's a nice thing to do and because we love | | | | holder. For example, if you have your treats in a bag |
| them, but if you are serious about trick training you | | | | around your waist, hold the treat away from your |
| need to resist the temptation to feed them treats at | | | | body and the bag when you give it to him. Keep |
| any time other than trick training time. | | | | your hand closed around the treat until it is away |
| You only need to feed your horse a very small | | | | from you. Your horse must realise he can't get a |
| amount of the treat that you have chosen to use. It | | | | treat directly from the bag or near you. |
| must be small enough so your horse finishes it very | | | | 3. Separate the trick from the treat. Use a word or |
| quickly (they should only be chewing on it for a | | | | sound to let your horse know they have done the |
| second or two)...just a taste. Otherwise you will be | | | | right thing and THEN give them a treat. |
| constantly waiting while he finishes his treat before | | | | Following a few very basic treat rules will help your |
| you can move on to the next thing. | | | | horse to learn faster and will prevent him or her from |
| The treat must be something that your horse really | | | | developing bad habits around treats. |