Equestrian Journey: Smartest Colt in the World!! - Clicker Training

Monday, March 29, 2010

Smartest Colt in the World!! - Clicker Training

I think Chrome is by far the smartest most engaged horse I've ever worked with. This is why I wanted a weanling and I'm happy it's working out so far. I just did Chrome's third target training session. I'm adding the voice cue "touch" just before he touches the target. I have no idea how long it'll take before he makes a connection since this is the first time I've taught this to a horse. I started out on the outside of the fence like last time, but I quickly realized he was ready to do more.

I went into the pasture and had him walking all around me touching the target. He only went for my hands a couple of times, but he didn't bite me or anything, just smelled them and moved on. I had him walking half circles around me to touch the target and I had him curling his neck under to touch the target next to his chest and around to touch it near his side. I may be able to use this to teach him to do warm up stretches lol.

I'm amazed how quickly he's learning all of this. I'm sure by the next session I'll have him following the target in a full circle and all around the pasture. Imagine how much he'd learn if I trained everyday lol. I'll have to work on this more often. Gotta love my colt.

3 comments:

EmmaMarch 30, 2010 at 12:33 AM
That is fantastic progress, well done! :) He is really catching on so quickly, I think maybe sometimes I am too slow getting cues in there.
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BethMarch 30, 2010 at 6:45 AM
Smart Boy! He'll be fetching a jolly ball in no time!
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JudiMarch 30, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Before you know it, he will be standing on his head for a click from you.
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Registered Name: Beebee's Chrome Chevalier TTT (FSHR)
Nicknames: Chromey Baloney, Chromelin, Chrominator & Chromey Pony
Sire: Hertog Jan v.d. Paddensteeg (FPS/FSHR/AFA)
Dam: Beebee (Arabian)
Breed: Friesian/Arabian
DOB: May 19, 2009
Height: 15.2hh
Weight: 1300lbs
Color: Dark Bay, going Gray

Markings: A star before going gray.

Date Aquired: 10-19-09 at five months old.
Likes: Eating, clicker training, being brushed, playing (with anything he can get his teeth on), training, grazing and getting dirty.
Dislikes: Being ignored and/or bored, being in a stall and standing still for long periods of time (unless he's being brushed).

Chrome's Barn Colors: Royal blue and silver.

If you're not a very avid reader but would still like to follow Chrome's progress be sure to check out his Monthly Progress Reports on the nineteenth of every month. You can also read more about him on the About Chrome page.

Name: Led Zeppelin
Nicknames: Zep
Sire: Unknown (Standard Donkey)
Dam: Unknown (Standard Donkey)
Breed: Standard Donkey
DOB: 2007
Height: N/A
Weight: N/A
Color: Gray (what do you call the donkey color??)

Date Aquired: My dad rescued/bought him shortly before I brought Chrome home, but he gave him to us on 1-18-10.

Likes: Treats, forehead scratches, his buddies and braying early in the morning.
Dislikes: Being handled at all (his first three years were spent in someone's backyard never being touched), sudden movements and sometimes his bratty pasture mate Chrome. :D

I'm in my thirties, live in the USA and I love horses (obviously). I've been obsessed with Friesians (that's Chrome's purebred Friesian sire in the above picture) for over ten years. I started riding horses when I was five and always had horses from then until 2007 when I found myself without one. I wanted a Friesian, but the budget wouldn't allow for it so I started looking at crosses. I found Chrome (Friesian/Arabian) and I haven't regretted it for a second. I bought him as a five month old weanling in 2009 and I've done all of his training myself. The blog is about our continued journey together as I attempt to make him my dream all around horse who can do anything from dressage, competitive trail riding, driving, mounted archery, working equitation and anything else we want to try. He's still very green and we obviously have a long way to go, but you're welcome to follow along on our journey. I also love dogs, art, photography, writing, reading, fishing, biking, camping, archery and many other things. You can learn more about me on my About Me page, my Equestrian Bucket List page and my FAQ page.