HorseTrix #4- Training the SMILE

In this episode of Heidi Herriott’s HorseTrix, she teaches you how to train your horse to SMILE. This is a trick you can work on often, even in the stall. Yo…

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25 Responses

  1. ShiLoZ Seldnar
    | Reply

    My horse is coming up to my hand and curling up her lip 4 the treats but when i try without the treats shes not even moving her head what should i do?

  2. SophiaThePumpkinKing
    | Reply

    Thank you! 🙂 I do think me might have to work on basic respect. 😛 

  3. ZebraHorse124
    | Reply

    Thanks he soo good at it now! 😀

  4. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Thanks! Initially I ignore the unwanted behavior, but if it keeps up, i will give a tug on the lead rope and say “quit”. As far as ‘begging’ for treats, you can start weaning her off treats. She should be doing all her tricks on cue when you ask and you respond with verbal praise and petting. Use only ocassional treats. ALso, you should ignore her antics and even ask her to quit so that she does not get to be a brat. Happy Training :)

  5. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Good for you! This is my finished cue as well

  6. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Keep asking for more each time. don’t give her the treat until she gives you just a bit more each time. You will get it!

  7. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    I will always sy there is more than one way to do things, as long as they are not harmful to the horse. I also tickle the top lip. Maybe you need to set the tone and with your lead rope, pull her back as soon as she steps forward. Not only are you asking her to do the trick, she has to do it essentially on your terms which means in the spot you asked her to. I would not praise or treat her if she does the smile but also pushes you. As far as progressing, wait her out – you will get it!

  8. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    I would suggest with your horse you use little or no treats. I have trained horses who get too mouthy or rude with treats. Praise in the form of petting and verbal “good boy/girl” should provide the motivation your horse needs. Also, maybe spend some more time on the basics to ensure that you are in charge and your horse has the respect you deserve. You both benefit from this! Happy Training 🙂

  9. SophiaThePumpkinKing
    | Reply

    My horses gets incredibly rude and distracted as soon as she retrieves a treat. I can never teach her any tricks because as soon as she’s rewarded, she loses all concentration.

  10. cocogirl20071
    | Reply

    Hi, I’ve begun teaching my mare to smile but I used a different method I saw on another video which is just tickling the outside of the top lip with my finger. My horse does it but she usually pushes against me and walks forward to get the treat, and she’s quite greedy and doesn’t do the smile from a distance or without treats. Any tips? 🙂

  11. taijaandzara
    | Reply

    My pony will lift her lip a tiny bit and not hold it, when i hold of giving her a treat she just stops it and puts her lip down. how do I get my pony to hold it and lift her lip higher?

  12. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Hi! You are on the right track. Not remember that all important progress. Hold the treat longer and encourage them to give you a bit more each time. If you do this, i can almost guarantee that you will get it pretty fast, in a matter of days. Just hold the treat longer each time before giving it to them. Also, make sure you are saying smile and holding your hand up for the cue so you can wean off the treats! happy training 🙂

  13. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Hi! The smile can be trained fairly quickly once they do it the first time. Rub that top lip with their favorite treat. You just need a little bit of the top lip to come up and be very verbal with your “Good horse”! and give them the treat. This is usually trained in a few days so make sure you are cuing her right and you will get it. Once they get it – lots of fun!

  14. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Hi!  The smile can be trained fairly quickly once they do it the first time. Rub that top lip with their favorite treat. You just need a little bit of the top lip to come up and be very verbal with your “Good horse”! and give them the treat. This is usually trained in a few days so make sure you are cuing her right and you will get it. Once they get it – lots of fun!

  15. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Hi,
    It sounds like you are doing a good job and having fun training. See my prior post for some helpful info. I would add to that info that the treats were an occasional incentive and the goal is always to wean the horse off the treats and training aids to get a solid cue and the same result every time you ask for it. That would be the next steps. I would definitely start letting her know that she cannot keep ‘begging’ for the treats. Happy Training 🙂

  16. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Hello! sorry to be so slow in responding. I would say that with the stomping you can ignore her or say NO so that she knows that is not what you are looking for. As far as the ‘kiss’ I would ask her to step back from you and just stand and behave. This is cute for a while but becomes an issue when they don’t get what they want. Also, it sounds like you should be reinforcing the cues and weaning off the treats if she does all these tricks now. That would be the next step. more in next…

  17. Jenna Johnson
    | Reply

    I would ignore it if you’re not cuing her. The point of teaching her these tricks is so that she will do them when you ask her to..You have to remind her it’s not just to get treats.

  18. ZebraHorse124
    | Reply

    I am currently training my horse to smile but with a little different training. My cue is to point up and say “smile!”

  19. PercheronAppLVR
    | Reply

    Great little instructional. I’ve got my girl smiling, bowing, stomping her foot and kissing .. but I often find that when I’m teaching something new she’ll respond by (usually) stomping when she’s not sure what I’m asking. LOL Should I just ignore until she finds the right answer? and although it’s cute- she’s constantly ‘kissing’ me if we’re just hanging out and say I’m talking w/someone ..trying to get treats -she’s very food motivated while learning tricks. Do I ignore when not asking?? 🙂 TY

  20. Hooves98
    | Reply

    Im teaching my pony to smile but she still cant get the hang of it.How long roughly does it take to perfect this trick?

  21. ilovemyqh9904
    | Reply

    Alright Thanks! I will try that! (I accidentally hit the dislike button and I can’t undo it. Sorry)

  22. horsetrixonline
    | Reply

    Glad you are teaching him tricks! To hold it longer, just keep holding your hand up cueing him. Do not treat him until he holds it for at least twice as long. THEN you can say ‘alright’ and give him a treat. Just keep insisting that he do it longer by cueing him and saying ‘smile’.

  23. ilovemyqh9904
    | Reply

    Hi, I am teaching the smile to my horse and he has got the hang of it, but I want him to hold the smile longer. All he does it keep his lip up for 2 seconds and then put it down. How do I get him to smile longer?

  24. PleaseJessiesStar
    | Reply

    I just love your videos and I’m looking forward to see a lot more from you !! I’ve got a pretty smart Quarter Horse gelding, who’d do anything for treats. He learns really fast, so I’m always looking for new ideas. Thank you for your great videos !!

  25. derbyskipgirl
    | Reply

    Ill try this!! Im hoping my horse will learn it fast because i dont have that much time
    But he will prob. Take his time like always

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