IVY, Clicker-Trained from birth doing tricks.

[CrimsonPrime7]

CanadianStormchaser Are you serious??? The work this woman does is AMAZING!!! I'd like to see you train your horse to put his ears forward on command or train him to sit, straddle AND teeter-totter. clickonsuccess You have a gift with horses!!! My mare is gonna foal in June so this inspires me to train the foal.

[CanadianStormchaser]

you are a retarded woman, like seriously? Ears forward? your just plain stupid. Your not a horse trainer, your a modern day retard, take it from someone who races horses and barrel races. the horse gets confused because her trainer is an idiot.

[Gazzy11469]

do u ride clicker

[ellieandgeorge]

Thats cruel, have you thought about what it will do to her bones and muscles sitting on a beanbag and walking with her legs stretched apart is obviously not natural for her.

[MBTDFB]

I feel sad for this horse and for the trainer , in this moment

[MBTDFB]

Why are you so cruel with a living creature? Why do you stress her so much? Why do you kill the intelligence and the emotions of a horse training him as he was a computer and not a living creature that can learn through love , relationship and respect? If your parents raised you with clicks, instead of love and comprension you would had been happy? If your parents only goal was to have an absoulute control on you and your learning and raised you as they wanted and not as you really are

[Horsesarelife1001]

You must understand a horse. When A horse puts his or her ears back, It is telling something. the horse is saying "yes, I am listening" but since she is a horse, she cannot speak, she can only tell you with her moationg, so when you command her ear posision, you are going too far. Let her be a horse. I can very easialy (sorry for my spelling) that she loves you becuase she is followig, but I do not see the point of some of thses commands. I'm sorry.

[JessikaSaysMeow]

umm no offence but it seems to me that most of the time her ears were back it was because she was listening to you ....your horse tells you important things with his ears, we restrain so many of the ways horses have to tell us how they really feel, their ears tell us what their attention is on or if they are in a bad mood, you shouldnt try to cover up those things ...but anyway good tricks.

[clickonsuccess]

Thank you for your kind words.

[MosloTR]

Im amazed at what you've taught this horse, yet there's so many negative comments. If you were being cruel, or if this horse wasnt enjoying herself, she wouldnt be doing any of this stuff....What alot of you people dont understand is that this is completely unnatural for a horse to do...in order to teach this, you must have an emaculate bond with owner and horse. Ears back has nothing to do with whether this horse is enjoying herself or not. Come on, be serious people. Great job with your horse!

[milksack309]

the thing that bothers me is when she gets testy.. that could be a really dangerous situation. Believe me, I know. I trusted my horse with my life, and he got too comfortable and I ended up getting kicked because he got testy. This is why I always make sure they know that personal space is VERY important and they are not to get moody with me. Once they are turned out they can do whatever they please, but not with me.

[5Bijou5]

I taught my horse "kisses" - she puts her nose to my cheek, "props" - she taps her nose to my fist, "bow"- she puts her head to her chest :D I am getting there

[MsMolly789]

that was amazing!!! I love how the horse is listening so well!!! Ears forward and she does it!!!!so cute!!!!!!

[iluvmyhorseys]

While you are working with her on one thing, such as the straddle, you are also telling her to get her ears forward. I suggest that you spend time on one obstacle, and ignore any other flaws than ones that pertain to the task at hand. This is confusing her on what she is getting the treat for. Also, another thing, When you are trying to get her ears forward, don't keep saying ears forward You are exhausting the command and teaching her to not respond to your command the 1st time. Good luck!

[iluvmyhorseys]

I respect how much progress you seemd to have made. However, it irks me a little that you are trying to pester her with the ears thing. Swiveling her ears is a way of expression. They are back or out most of the time because she is obviously bored or angry with you. She could be following you because she knows that you have treats, just a thought. You woulnd't ask a human to smile all the time when that person is in a bad move. Also, it seems as if you are working on too many things at one time.

[Justasam]

I think clicker training is a great way to train horses! I used to do it with my fussy arabian and it was the only thing that worked with her. I don't agree with all of the random, useless tricks clicker trainers choose to train their horse like they're dogs, it just causes 'riding' problems. If you want a horse as something to show off doing 'cute' tricks, it's great but for practical or riding related, best to stick with natural horsemanship.

[lauzo1]

Ok everyone that has a problem with her teaching her beautiful horse tricks and making her horse put her ears back...its not cruel and she put her video maybe up to show how succsessfuly she is with her horse...i think it is amazing teaching horses to do things....i wish i could have my own horse but i only take lessons..so i think you can stop being so mean...and let them do hwat she wants to teach Ivy..

[clickonsuccess]

I believe they can learn at any age. I had Ivy at foaling, and wanted to see how quickly she could learn from birth on. My older horses, including one in her 30's, also have learned tricks via clicker training. I haven't worked with enough horses to feel qualified to say what age is best. I agree with you that the balance trick would help the horses be more confident when unloading, or even in route, because of the movement they experience when being transported. Good Luck!

[airvallejo]

Hello I've had a couple of Hannover jumper horses in the past, and was wondering what is the best age to teach a horse some tricks, like the balance trick which I think is pretty usefull when unloading froma a plane or a truck, some ramps are difficult to work with after a long trip.

[jjjjjokerface]

The critics are crazy. What you are doing with your horse is great stimulation for her mind! Good job with the training.

[LLCoolest]

HAHA. How is this in anyway cruel? XD She is 13 months old. The most you can do with a horse this young is tricks or halter train them, since you can't ride them till their at least 2 years old. You people need to learn to keep negative comments to yourselves.

I think you're doing a wonderful job here with your horse! :)

[Aneiszka]

How cute!!!

[TheZeldacrazy]

a horse on a beanbag O_o wow

[psychojoker131]

This is sooo cute! I love how she puts her ears forward when you ask:) wish I could have a horse:( lol anyway, she is very pretty!! Smarter than my dog, and pays attention!

[clickonsuccess]

@psychojoker131 Thanks for the kind comment.  I hope you get your horse someday.

[MsMolly789]

@psychojoker131 i know exactly what you mean!!! I ride all the time but i dont have a horse and i really want one badly!!! im in love with horses yet i dont have one :(

[Horsesarelife1001]

@MsMolly789 same here! I ride ALL the time, but I'm not allowed to have one :(

[1liz2lov]

Corse shes putting her ears back! because she gets food when she does something so little that a normal horse should do any way!

[pinkpony123]

this is so clever!

[SunshineHorse2247]

I don't know what you ppls are talking about in this being cruel. This is a perect example of a horse trusting it's master,she's not restraining him even though some things may be scary to him and he not bolting.

[1horse1crazy1]

you know her ears don't seemed to be pinned they just seem to be back listening

[ZariaSki]

I think the ears forward is extremely important because a smart horse will learn that it can scare people with its ears and then control people. I've seen it happen. I love the teeter-totter and I'm amused that she favours the straddling of the logs.

[gottogobreyer]

Everything else is cool but when your behind her her ears will go back. They go back because she can hear your voice better. But everything else is really cool! =D

[Mainehorse]

Nice job training. She looks a little bored at first though . . . If you want her to keep her ears forward, that might be a little hard since almost anything distracts a horse, especially my cat, which I call the meanie face waste of space xD

[Yautjakshai]

You should also really not keep telling her "ears" constantly. You wrote that you're not familiar with the subtleties of ear positioning, perhaps that's something you should really learn. There's a back position to listen to you, but there's a pinned back position to show you they're not happy. Also, the throwing of the head she did a little, is a sign of resistance and dominance. Eventually you need to give her less and less treats and let her work for verbal reward.

[Yautjakshai]

It is really impressive what you are doing with such a young horse. Not alot of people can get a young horse like that to be so well trained. But I do have to agree, she is not really a pleasant horse. She's not happy and resistant and it seems she's not being allowed to be a baby. You said she hasn't been turned out, but she's being forced to do work - that's the same treatment that makes many show hunters and dressage horses sour. She's too young to be treated like that.

[scorchingbay]

On the stepover you were confusing her and when my horse does that I take him back to some basic moves and start again. I have to agree with the others here the ears thing does not sit well with me. Firstly you get her to do one thing which should be rewarded but then you also ask for ears. Usually my boy looks happy with training but then sometimes ears are back, especially when confusion sets in, that is my cue to stop training or go to more basic stuff..

[Cossy1065]

i think you have done wonderful things with this filly she is gorg. i fully agree with your method of rewarding her for putting her ears up you dont reward a child for pulling faces same with horses and dogs you dont pat a snarling dog! i had to do the same with my black mare n my 20 month appy who i teach tricks =) i subbed you would you sub back? x

[TJSpirithorse]

What a shame this horse is so sour and not having fun.

[clickonsuccess]

Since Ivy is working free here, following me without restraint, I cannot understand the basis of your summation.

[TJSpirithorse]

You need to watch your own video her ears are nice when you are not confusing her .

She is a sweety let her be just that she is so willing to do what you ask with out being regimentely told of for have a natural ear pin. That is her way of communicating listen to what she is telling you .

[TJSpirithorse]

My Summination is that I could show you umpteen videos where horses are working free and don't look as sour as her, you have got her doing exactly what you want that's great , but any blind freddy can see the horse is resisting with sourness .

It's just friendly critisisum , the ears back thing you insist on is taking away her natural ability to communicate. commanding .

[TJSpirithorse]

When she is on the been bag , her ears are doing what is natural , to be back listening to you , you are forsing unatural behaviour , I am sure if you where not so worried about her ears she would be less confused .

This comment is not to insult you as you have obviously taken it as, my horses work free and bow in happiness . If you are behind the horses shoulders then they should naturally be back on you to listen to what you are asking .

[1horse1crazy1]

@TJSpirithorse the horse is not harsh or sour, a lot of times it just becomes a habit

[jjjjjokerface]

@TJSpirithorse What are you talking about? I think she is pretty happy to be training her human to give her treats when she does entertaining things. :)

[1312mytube]

I think it`s cruel to try to control your horses ears! You worked out a lot of excercises successfully, admirable. But the ears of a horse show the horses mood in an intuitive way. Your horse moves her ears in your direction, which shows that she is concentrating on you. If you stand behind her and not in front of her she will pin her ears back naturally. This is bad horsemanship, you pester her trying to control anything, until no horse in your horse is letftover. That's sad.

[clickonsuccess]

The word "cruel" seems a little hash based on its definition in describing this exercise. I do not claim to know all the subtleties of ear positioning, but generally ears forward indicate relaxation except when they are sharply forward at alert. It is this relaxation that I am hoping to elicit. Like having an angry person smile. It changes the attitude. Ivy is free to leave me at all times during these exercises. Beth

[TJSpirithorse]

I'm sure she is free to leave you can see that but a horse is not going to leave if they are treated so much its food at the end of the day , yu have an honest little mare you need to listen to her more . Oh and if some one does not have a smile on their face it does not mean they are not happy , that's peoples assumption.

[TJSpirithorse]

When working a baby or any age horse if you are giving dressage commands and the horses ears are forward and away from you then that is where there focus is .

[Cossy1065]

i agree that when u are behind a horse they will pin there ears back but other than that i agree totally with her asking the filly to put her ears back i wouldnt reward any horse that is pulling faces and demaning treat with there ears back i had the same problem with my mare and she used to put her ears back and demand treats so she lernt she wouldnt get a treat until she put her ears up and stopped demanding you dont reward a child for pulling faces same applys here

[frootyflamingo62107]

I agree, i also noticed that the trainer is to the side or behind the horse so naturally her ears would be back listening the trainer...

[SpyroFireCynderFear]

Im i need of good advice for training my horses. They have no experience, and they are all around 2-3 years old. I want to teach them the ears forward, sitting down, and possibly lay down. You are a wonderful trainer, and I would love to get some advice. So, if you can, please comment some advice on my other channel, HorseRiderz4Life (search up Zoo Photography to get to my channel.) Thank you so much if you can!

[clickonsuccess]

Hi & thank you for your comment and compliment. I will work at getting video of the training process we used to get the sit down and the lay down onto our site in the next couple of months. We do have some of it on video. Beth

[TJSpirithorse]

Actually people do have experiance, it's your assumpiton,they are commenting on the mare with ears back, and you don't like what they are saying in fact many good horse trainers will tell you that this is communicating many things to us humans not just nasty behavoiur , ears back on you especially when you are behind the horse is showing that the horse is listening to you .

[ILoveMyHorseBanjo]

"ears forward plz" omg thats so cute hahaha my horse knows a bunch of tricks 2 the ones im tyring to work on now r lay down and sit but idk how 2 start can u help ?

[clickonsuccess]

I haven't taught Ivy to lay down. Maybe Jan can answer that part of your question.

We started teaching the sit down by backing our horses up to a big stuffed chair that was braced against a wall until their hind legs touched it. We clicked and treated for tolerating that first. Then we asked them to back up more until they began to squat to sit, with lots of steps in between. We have some of the steps on our videos, and maybe we can put them up on YouTube to share soon.

Good Luck!

[shandee50464]

great video! ... you said you had a trick book, (for yes/no movements) what is the book called (*or at least how do you make them say yes and no? and what do you mean by a spot from the flies to make them shake their head/neck??)

thanks!!

[clickonsuccess]

From Trick Training Your Horse to Success by Jan Sharp: "Take a small object in your hand such as a blunt nail or blunt nail file. Cup the object in the palm of your hand as you tap his skin. For "no," lightly tap him on the side of his neck under the area his mane covers. As you tap him with the pointed object, he should shake his head as if answering "no". For "yes" lightly tap the center of his chest until he bobs his head down as if saying "yes". " Praise & reward for correct response.

[shandee50464]

thanks! ill try it out!

[ironwill1981]

Horses have a natural fight or flight instict which makes them easily trained if those consepts are well understood while training. If not, it can cause many behavioral problems and danger to people. (not necessarily intended danger by aggression) I offer AQHA, APHA, Arabian breeding and training services in my area. Thanks for listening. I in no way intended to disrespect or disregard the efforts of the trainer in the video as I myself am daily learning and understanding horses more thourough.

[ironwill1981]

Secondly, a horse should always follow through with a command because of it's respect and subordination to you. NOT because it gets a treat. When you give a horse a treat, it's actually training you in the aspects of how it does just enuogh to get what IT wants...(a treat)...rather than what YOU want. This is backwards. I run into problems like this often when people bring their horses to me because their horse only partly listens. I comment on this because as an effort to minimize problems...

[ironwill1981]

It's always nice to see the relationships of horses and people progress. However, your training methods trouble me. Horses naturally respond to pressures, both positive and negative. In all aspects of training it vital that the horse clearly understands a command and can repeat it with 100% accuracy before moving on to another command or trick. (otherwise the horse, like the one on this video, becomes overwhelmed and confused and just looks for the easiest way to get a treat.)

[joyzerelly]

cont... Also, it would be strange if she had her ears forward all the time, such as when you put your leg on her back, it's natural for her ears to go back at this point as her attention is on the thing (your leg) that is behind her. Even so, good job and better than I can do presently. Keep up the good work.

[420AshleyMarie420]

Nice video, The horses ears are back is cause she listening to what your saying. i can understand why she looks mean but thats just the way you know shes listening too you. But very well trained. Can you ride her?

[DannyXox01]

i think ur tricks are gret and all, and dont get me wrong, but u need to let a horse be a horse.

[HorseyAndPonyLuver]

LOL I can barely get my dog to do that stuff xD I WAS BLOWN AWAY WHEN I SAY THIS.

[HorsegirlDMR]

it's also great that you have so much patience with her. (i don't :-/ yet)

you mentioned a trick book at the end. which one did you get? how did you like it?

[HorsegirlDMR]

i've seen a lot of horse trick videos but this is soo unique! i love it!! i havent even seen these tricks. theyre just.. different! and the best part is like, it teachers your horse. Like you said, the sitting stretches their bak, the straddle walking alerts them to watch their footing.. and i like the ears forward thing! i never heard anyone do that but it's clever. you must be a really ood horse trainer. i wish my horse could do all that haha :)

[jessieplum]

hi there. you get alot of idiots sending you messages, maby they have not noticed that you are using no force! it is a shame. if you have something negative to say, maby keep it to your self. my question is what is the bean bag made from?

[jessieplum]

oh also, this is a lovely video.

[clickonsuccess]

Hey, thanks for your comment. We made our beanbags out of heavy cordura fabric. It is two circles with a wide band of fabric connecting them that has a large zipper opening it it. We filled them with packing peanuts (lots & lots of them).

[cathyshearin]

The horses ears are constantly going back because she's scared of the freaking click noise you're doing at her every time she puts them forward.

[horsesrule64]

im not saying you shouldnt trian a horse to do tricks, it is a good thing so they can listen to you better but, you should let her be a horse.

also dont except her to have her ears foward all the time. and even though they happen to be alittle but back doesnt mean she is angry or whatever

[horsesbigestfan]

o and also let a god dam babby be a babby she is 13 months turn her out to pasture dont get me wrong i work my babys but your over doing it

[horsesbigestfan]

you cant train a horse to have their ears forward. it a feeling. she is pinning her hears back for a reson(i dont know what ) you cant tell a horse to be content when they arnt. you sould let her be a horse an quite telling her how to feel. but hay cool tricks. and about the vet tech she souldnt be one if she is afraid of a horse JUST pining their ears. being a vet tech your going to be doing a lot of things to animals that some of them might just not like =)

[HorseLoverForever24]

good i love it! i do agree with buffalogirl95 tho

[buffalogirl95]

i think its great what you do and all , but the ears pinned thing i think is beacuse you give her so many treats and she expetces them (sorry for the poor spelling)

[Mercedes2555]

i have been watching alot of the teaching videos on here for clicker training...just got my clicker today...you have given me some ideas...cannot wait to get started...

[clickonsuccess]

Good for you researching clicker training. We think it is a powerful tool that can be both fun and useful. Let us know how it goes.

[bigwhitey87]

The sit is good. But, other than that, nothing really catches my attention. The horse has its ears pinned most the time, he/she is def not enjoying him/herself

[Fussnfeathers]

Where do you get a horse bean bag?? I can't find them...

[clickonsuccess]

We made our bean bags, and filled them with packing peanuts (lots of them).

[Algiri70]

I hear lots of negative reinforcement here. Lots of Aaack type sounds, No's, etc... NOT what clicker training is about... And if I hear that woman say "EARS" one more time, I 'd like to strangle her!! The cue should be added AFTER the horse learns the behavior. Otherwise the horse starts ignoring it (as that one is doing). I saw very little rewarding in that video... too bad, looks like a willing horse...

[bammmitskatii]

wow, i guess this is neat, but horses aren't dogs ...

[breyerhorsecrazy]

wow very un horse like........ but its really man i wish i could train my horse to keep her eats forward she scares the farior because he always shods on concreat and she shakes and pins her ears and it lookes like she is going to kill him!

[whisperfan82]

Ermm horses aren't dogs...They dont need to sit but it is pretty cool =3

[IronFreePony]

It's actually quite a good exercise and stretch for their backs. Some might say that a horse that cannot sit comfortably will never be fit enough for the tasks we assign. Of course, it is arguable, but my point is that it is a very healthy exercise, not just a pretty trick.

However, I can't quite figure out the "ears forward" thing. That's just....silly. If a horse person is scared because their ears are back...I wonder if they're really a horse person?

[JAXONLAXER]

I agree... I think maybe the lady has good intentions for the ears forward thing, but I think the horse is getting lost within that command...

[appaloosasport]

Ears forward is a common thing to teach advanced C/T horses. Like dogs, and all animals really, it is a psychological thing. For example when you smile, or when your dog holds its tail up. Puts them in a good mood. Seriously.

[houserelease]

this is really amazing !!!

[TbLuver224]

How CUTE! I love it! Ivy is adorable, what breed is she. I can't wait to see when she's older she seems like she will be under saddle and going well. Absolutley adorable!!!!! : )

[clickonsuccess]

Thank you! Ivy is 3/4 Arabian and 1/4 Paint. I have been riding her lightly now since spring out on trails. She is a joy to ride. One day, following a friend, she stopped short on a steep downhill and dropped her head. I didn't know what she was doing. She then picked up a bag the other person had dropped and "mouthed" it to me. Too much fun! We need to break out the camera and get some footage to post.

[blackhorse1818]

great idea about the fake mounting!

[Ashroxsi]

Thats fantastic... gr8 job!

[aboconxoxo]

hahah i LOVE the ears forward!!! my pony has this problem every time i feed him, and everytime we groom. He is not mean at all but it scares off the younger kids! but this was wonderfu!! great work with your mare she's a doll =)

[Kaibuko]

I think this is a good way to train the horse, and I also think it is very amazing to get the hors to follow you with out a halter or lead. Also I was looking at a different video of your and you had your horse turn on the forhand. How did you do that?

[Artwithapulse]

How did you get the sit DOWN? I know sit up but this is something awesome =D

[clickonsuccess]

Thanks. I started by backing Ivy to a sturdy upholstered chair minus legs that was braced against a wall. I clicked and treated her for standing against it with her hind legs. Asking her to back further progressed to leaning back into it, then lifting one leg onto it, and so on, until she sat completely down. It took many sessions over a few months. She sat completely for the first time on my birthday. Nice present, huh? Footage of working on it is on the Ivy's Next Days DVD that we sell.

[michazel1973]

This is a great video..so smart.

[clickonsuccess]

Hey thanks. We have so much fun with clicker-training. I am a nurse also, emergency room. I am glad you said what breed your horse was on the one video, cause I was trying so hard to figure it out!!! Love the steam from the nostrils. Hope you two are jumping a full course now.

Beth

[abexo]

Lol please with the ears.....stop talking to your horse (sometimes) behind because she is going to put them back they are not pinned she is listening!!! poor pony how confusing listen but look pretty so then she gets a reward for losing concentration and listening to something else...hehehe put up a film when she can do it then we don't have to listen to what she can't do yet!!!

[clickonsuccess]

Thank you for your comment.Even though the ears aren't "pinned",Ivy is displaying a bit of attitude with her ears, not just listening. I can feel a whole body relaxation when they go forward. I do allow distraction(listening to something else)to prompt the ears forward(free-shaping).I was hoping to show how I was working to chain the ears forward with any "click".My goal is behavior/click/ears forward/reward.More pleasant & relaxing for both of us. If we get it perfected,I will film it.

[lancieannie]

I have an 18 month old paso fino who does a lot of ear pinning for treats. I have had to back off clicker training and try to just cure the ear pinning. I send him on a time out to the end of the lead, but do not reward him for ears forward. I just ignore him and invite him back when I feel like it. That would be like the lead mare would do. It seems to be helping.

[clickonsuccess]

Thank you for your suggestion. I work off the line alot, but do try to let her know that I don't like it by ignoring her when she is pinning, maybe I turn and love up the old mare that is pastured with her instead. I also making a loud ACHHHH sound of displeasure and send her away whenever she approaches me with her ears pinned. It is a fasinating behavior to work on correcting. Hope I can get it figured out.

Beth

[lancieannie]

I think that she is trying to manipulate you for the treat. That is why she puts her ears back. If you reward her for ears forward, does she knows that they cannot come forward unless they are already back? See next post for rest of my comment as I am over limit.

[clickonsuccess]

I have thought of that. Most of the time, she has already earned the treat by doing something else I asked for, so I do not click the ears forward, just wait for that behavior before delivering the treat. I think I may have inadvertently taught her this behavior by clicking and treating another behavior, and she was ALSO pinning her ears at the time so that she thinks that is part of what she was rewarded for. Trainer error for sure. Beth

[horsemadnessa]

hia, i have started clicker training my 9month foal, i have had him for about a month and a half now, but have already taught him to step up and almost fully bow, and he is almost fully bombproof now too, i have always wonderd about teaching sit, i have tried it with my other pony from being layed down and getting him up half way, however, he gets up far too quickly and its not working, so for the method you use, does it have to be a beanbag ? x x x

[clickonsuccess]

No. We started with an old stuffed chair without legs propped up against a wall. Some people use hay bales covered with material. Any sturdy surface that will support them and not hurt them in any way will work. When you have your pony lay down, click him when he first starts to get up to try to freeze the movement for him to get a treat on the way up. As he gets the idea, you can freeze the movement further into the upward motion. When you freeze the sit, click-treat rapidly. Good luck!

[horsemadnessa]

thanx so much :D il give it a go x x x

[SkyDancerStudios]

thats so cool have you tried straddle walk without the log?

[clickonsuccess]

We always use something for them to straddle. Thanks for your interest.

[ThaImpetuous]

Really amazing!

I'm thinking about doing clicker training on my own horse too.. :)

[clickonsuccess]

It is a wonderful and effective way to get desired behaviors from your horse. You can check our website for more information, pictures, and DVD sales.