[RC] bikes and horses, horses are so bad? - Kearby, Kate G Civ 748 CBSG/IS
From: Vchorsegal@xxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] Horse &
Bikes- What Works for Me !!
I have had a lot of good
luck with food motivated horses. I hire my friends'
teenage boy to ride his
undersized bicycle near the paddock or pen of the
horse i want to teach about
bikes. At first I have him keep quite a distance,
then gradually cut down on
the size of the comfort zone. We have the rider put
horse treats in his pocket,
and park near the pen & quietly offer them to the
horse. After a few
moments, the horses will
start to estimate where he will park & meet him
there for the treat. After
a few more tries the bicyclist can pretend to wipe
out, drop the bike, etc.
It's great fun for the kid, and safer than me riding
the dang bike. I think it's
important to have the bike do lots of things. I
have seen horses used to
bikes freak out if the rider goes off, so better to
expose them to that too !
Piggy horses will eventually learn that dealing with
something weird can earn you
special treats !
Happy Horsey New Year !! - Heidi Helly
Absolutely love this theory, rather than teaching
bike riders and hikers that horses are weird teach horses that bike riders and
hikers are just fine, no big deal. I've often suggested having a block
party for all the neighborhood kids, bike riding, playing Frisbee and catch,
great training... I don't have any kids the right age now and have to
do the bike riding myself.... Believe me when the horses see me on a bike
they've seen it ALL, been there, done that.
