Training your pony to do the Spanish walk - EQxpressionism

[arabjumperxD]

Very helpful video! Thanks. Im working with my mini horse on the spanish walk. He is doing very good. He lifts his leg alot because he knows he'll get treats. He loves doing it:) But I cant seem to get him to walk forward with me while picking up his leg. Any tips?

[ThePonyPros]

@arabjumperxD You could try teaching him Chase the Tiger to help him learn about moving forward while focusing on a target. You could also try dragging a tarp that he likes to paw or having him roll and exercise ball. Usually it's a coordination thing and they figure it out eventually. It does take time though, with all of them. With my Mustang, I taught her match my legs and that worked well for her.

[arabjumperxD]

@ThePonyPros Okay thanks! I'll try the excersize ball thing because he loves hitting things with his face. haha.

[CShirleyC]

I've been watching several of your videos and in nearly all if not all, it is very difficult to hear you. You have a very soft voice.. With that said, I love what you and Les are doing. Keep up the good work. You are training the future successful horsemen and horsewomen. Will you guys be using the Parelli scholarship you received from them? Very cool!

[ThePonyPros]

@CShirleyC This video is made by my assistant, Gina. Making this one and Stick Together were her first experiences with making a vid.

Have you turned up the volume in my other videos? I have never had a complaint about them being hard to hear.

Yes, we are going to Pagosa Aug 29-Sept 30.

[CShirleyC]

@ThePonyPros A few messages earlier someone else mentioned her quiet voice too but if that is all the comments on this then we may be having poor speaker problems??? Great job espcially for first time.

I'm envious of your opportunity to go to Parelli land. BUT, I think it would be really cool to spend four weeks at Pony Pros also. I very much admire what you guys are doing. A great way to make a contribution for making the world a better place.

[ThePonyPros]

@CShirleyC Yes, since she had never made a video before, Gina was nervous and speaking quietly, and didn't quite have the equipment figured out.

Thanks for your nice words about our program. We hope to one day offer horse learning vacations where we have youngstock for guests to handle and train.

[calagasxx]

tghe only problem i had with this was how to get him initially to offer his leg..i held a carrot stick in front of his legs and he just stood there staring at me like an idiot..what can i do?

[ThePonyPros]

@calagasxx First, it's not very nice to call your horse an idiot, but what I would do is start him walking and allow his leg to bump the stick naturally. Then click when he does it by accident. If he understands clicker, he will get it in about 3 clicks. For a horse who is trained not to offer behaviors, it will take longer. I would not use a stick you use for anything else. That's why we use the pool noodle.

[calagasxx]

@ThePonyPros thanks, i think this will help! the whole idiot thing, i meant it in a nice way...its just the way he tilts his head with his massivo ears pointing to the sides as if to say ''yea...and what do you want me to do aabout it??'' lol but thanks again¬ xx

[ThePonyPros]

@calagasxx Ok glad it will help! Good luck and have fun :)

[tallgirlsrule]

also have a little issue teaching this to another horse - a 4 yo quarter horse. he gets a bit carried away and confused and paws instead of simple offering the leg lift. what should i do to discourage this?

[ThePonyPros]

@tallgirlsrule Ask him to keep his foot on the target for longer. After you build duration with holding the leg up, return to trying it while walking forward. Ask him to hold it up for 1 second, click/treat, 2 seconds, c/t, 3 seconds, c/t, etc. He won't understand at first, just click whenever he's progressing even a smidge.

[tallgirlsrule]

hiya - i tried this with my danish warmblood (who has the mind of a pony!) and he really enjoyed it and picked it up quite easily. the only problem i encountered was that he was actually too distracted by the noodle - wanting to just play - so i instead just used the lifting of my own legs as a cue. worked out pretty well!

[ThePonyPros]

@tallgirlsrule The video we have called "How to Teach Your Horse the Spanish Walk - Kali & Ilo" uses that method. Both are good :) The only tricky thing about using your own legs as a cue is that then some horses want to offer it all the time. I like that with my Mustang, but some people don't. One advantage is that you can get Spanish Trot and passage pretty quickly out of leg mirroring. Either way, Spanish Walk is fun and good for their balance :)

[abirdslife]

Kali Nice video :o) The only thing is your voice came over really quiet and hard to hear

[ThePonyPros]

@abirdslife I thought it was a good video too :) Actually, it is my new assistant, Gina, talking. This is her first time teaching Spanish Walk and first time making a YouTube video :o)