Re: RC: Trot, Trot, Trot!

[Karen <karen@storallnv.com>]

At 08:59 AM 12/19/2001 -0800, julienne.rha.b@bayer.com wrote:
>Any tips and suggestions?

When you go to vet, bring a whip with you.  Explain to the vet, that you 
are working on training your horse.  Ask if it is okay if you first trot 
the horse out once without the whip.  When the horse does the trot out, and 
is lazy -- then do it a second time.  This time using the whip to add a 
little incentive.  Most vets are cooperative and will let you do this.  If 
there is a long line, it might not make everybody behind you happy, so just 
do it when the opportunity arises.

By having the horse trot out the second time with the whip is that they 
will learn (at least, my lazy horses did) that hey, if I trot out decently 
the first time, I won't have to do it twice!  Plus, they will begin to know 
that they are expected to trot out well at rides.  They really do learn to 
be lazy and take advantage at vet checks as they gain more experience.

Another thing you can do when you practice at home is swing the last foot 
or two of your lead rope in your left hand as you ask your horse to trot 
off.  Sometimes seeing that will get them going.  You may need to swing it 
around and give your horse a little pop in the rear with the rope.  Once 
they realize that the rope can do that, and you have it in your hands 
everytime you trot them out -- that helps too.

k