How to: force-free lining up at the mounting stool/block (4 ways) (no whip)

Описание: There are many things I / my horse and I have not yet mastered, but if there’s one thing we have mastered, it’s lining up at the mounting stool/block.

I wanted to make this video, because I do in fact get asked frequently how I taught my horse to line up next to the mounting stool/block so nicely. Showing how is easier than writing it all out. Even though I - as a definitely-not-professional trainer - feel weird about explaining my “knowledge,” I am most certainly honered and happy that there is an interest in my methods, which for this “trick” were/are force-free.

The video shows 4 ways of teaching, because my proces with Dwy was non-linear. We’ve experimented and eventually taken what worked best for us. I think it’s great this video doesn’t show just one way, because you and your horse may need or want something different (that is if you decide to try things out that you see in this video).

Since I show the ‘hip target’ at one point in the video, I’d like to link this video    • 5 Ways to Teach Hip Targeting to Your Horse   by Connection Training that shows some alternative ways of teaching that with +R, in case my way doesn’t suit you but you still want to teach this without -R or force.

A disclaimer (that I should probably have included in the video or at the top of this description): I made use of positive reinforcement in the form of handfeeding food (specifically haycubes, mostly, in case you’re wondering). My horse has a good foundation with clickertraining. As using food is essential for the methods I show in the video (unless your horse reeeaaaly loves scratches), it is also essential that you make sure your horse doesn’t feel anxious about you having food on you. This is important for your safety and your horse’s emotional wellbeing. Food is not evil, it’s a relatively simple, yet amazing, motivater and reward. However, it being a tool does mean that you need to learn how to handle it in order to use it for good. Don’t worry, you’ve got this.