Highlights from a twenty-minute trick training session with my four-year-old percheron horse Toby yesterday. We're no longer using the rope for the shake hands trick. During this session, we progress beyond using the wand as a cue to only my voice (with the extension of my right hand towards his left leg and the command "Shake").

Toby offered me a couple of unsolicited handshakes here. What did I learn from that? (Besides almost getting my knee whacked. He's not aiming for me, mind you. But this is not like teaching your cute little pup to shake hands!) Well, an important safety consideration when teaching your horse tricks is to watch for these impromptu offers during early training and also to insist that the horse only offer the trick when asked. I'm thinking about what the ramifications can be longer term, when I teach him to rear, for example.

Dennis was worried that the farrier would fire me because I'm teaching Toby to shake hands. However, when Mike the farrier came out on Friday, Toby was as good as gold and didn't offer to shake hands with him, thank goodness.

Does anyone have any feedback for me? Good or bad, I would welcome it! Not only will I learn from your comments, but any readers out there who are interested in pursuing trick training.

My trick training notes: 1) Keep horse from "begging" for carrots during session 2) How do I deal with unsolicited offers of the trick from my horse? 3) How do we make the trick prettier? Cleaner? 4) Wean off of the treats eventually. Horse will work for praise as you master the trick? 5) Begin learning a couple of other tricks. One that doesn't involve the legs and hooves and one that does. You don't want the horse to get bored. 6) More consistent practice in short short sessions. 7) Think about and anticipate potential safety issues.

Toby and I are a work in progress. Really, this is way too much fun. I realize that I am grinning from ear to ear through a lot of this. I think Toby likes it too.

(Thanks to my 9-year-old cameraman C. Superb job, buddy!)

Related links:
Trick Training Journal
Ringling Bros.