peeing on "command"

[Horsestwo@aol.com]

An old trick around the track (or so I've heard) is to whistle whenever you 
see the horse pee.  This sets a Pavlovian type behavior that suggests to the 
horse that when you whistle he should pee.  I probably have all the 
terminology and psychology wrong but it does work to some extent.  First, you 
have to do this a lot.  The association isn't made with one or two attempts.  
I have had the best success with the horse who isn't shy to begin with.  It 
is useful for suggesting when to pee but he is willing to go anyway.  I will 
use it to get him to pee before a long trailer ride.  If on a long trail ride 
I will pull him over on soft ground after a few hours and whistle.  If he 
doesn't drop and pee within 10 seconds or so I ask him to go on.  I will try 
again later but I don't want to set up a situation where he wants to "go" 
just so he can stop and lolly gag.  I have a friend whose horse does this and 
it's annoying!  Just like a little kid with his "but I reaallyy gotta go this 
time!"  I haven't had as much success with my non-endurance horse so it's not 
perfect but it's worth a try.  I just whistle a short tune that is the same 
every time.  If you are around your horses on a regular basis you should be 
able to catch them several times a day.

Melanie in AZ


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