Evolution of Targeting- Clicker Train Lead, Lunge, Ride

This is a video of a 6 year old Section A Welsh mare working with a target stick for the first time ever. In 10 minutes, we teach Nina to follow the target stick, jog in hand, lunge in a circle at the trot, follow the stick while being ridden, and allow a rider to steer using the target stick.

Teaching a horse to follow a target stick allows them to be much more confident in new environments. The target stick allows them to take some of the comfort of home with them, like a child's blanket. Using a target stick as opposed to your hand for a target allows you to space yourself further away from the horse, making them more self-reliant.

Our primary goal with teaching Nina to follow a target stick was to give her more confidence in being ridden. She could choose to follow the stick, or choose not to. If she wanted a treat, she need to target the target stick. Had we started immediately with riding with a target stick, Nina would have been too fearful to perform. But, because we built her skills up gradually, the target stick gave her increased confidence in being ridden. She was less flighty and even seemed less stiff.

Since we did not expect her to rise so quickly to the occasion, we did not have tack on her, but she did amazingly well in spite of the weight on her back. We think she'll do even better when she is properly outfitted.

Copyright Kali Vanagas 2008
All rights reserved
Please visit www.PonyPro.net for more info

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• section+a+welsh
• clicker+training
• horse
• pony
• leading
• lunging
• riding+bareback
• at+liberty
• targeting
• target+stick

[wolfydan121]

top vid, im sure she'll make some kind little boy or girl very happy one day!

you did really well with her, i'll be sure to try this method if the need ever arises!

[welcometopemberley]

I was really resistant to teaching targeting because I didn't see any practical application. As it turns out, it is probably the most useful thing I've taught. The important things is to get the word "target" on cue really well so you can transfer targets (your hand, halter, bridle, target stick, etc).

[welcometopemberley]

The amazing thing that happens is it totally bombproofs your horse because any time they're afraid of something, you just say "target" and they do a complete 180 and are suddenly genuinely interested in the spooky object.

[welcometopemberley]

The target stick ends up being really cool because in cases of really spooky or really clingy ponies, you can get them to make a conscious decision to move further away from you and conquer obstacles on their own. Then you can teach them about moving away from pressure without scaring them, because you just blend in a pressure cue as they're following the target stick. If you do it on a downhill, you can even get them to trot or canter without pressure. That makes the gaits SO nice!

[westerncowgirl4life]

Aw this is so cute. Is it apony?

[welcometopemberley]

Thanks! Yes, Nina is a Section A Welsh Pony.

[abirdslife]

Excellent Kali ! Great demonstration and training :o)

[anotherjosephine]

wow.

thank you so much!

this did help (:

[colormecoloryou]

Fun to see how far you can take targeting!

[westerncowgirl4life]

Awwh. shes ADORABLE!