TRICKED OUT! TRAINING - A BIT MORE OUTSIDE THE BOX
L
ong used in the entertainment industry, trick training is can actually be a fun and simple training activity you can use to break up your regular riding routine, while teaching your horse essential skills you can use when back under saddle. Trick training teaches your horse to look to you for direction and leadership, a set of skills you can transfer back into your riding to get a horse who is rideable and attentive to your aids. This type of training is also a great activity for mentally stimulating your horse and expanding his reasoning capability, as he needs to think about what you are asking, before he does it. Together, these skills increase trust and communication both in and out of the saddle, and help your horse better learn to think his way through a potentially challenging situation, and trust in you as the leader when he is in doubt or requires further direction.