Скачать или смотреть Starting a horse under saddle with Clicker training: 9. Feeding position

Quarter horses are typically low in the front which puts additional weigh on their forehand, and even more with a rider. To avoid tripping and falling or lameness, we should pay attention to this in our training.

An easy, effective and efficient way to address this, in part, is through the positioning of our hand as we feed.

You will see in this clip that I continue working on flexions, encouraging Malou to step under with her inside hind leg which allows her to lift up in front.

In addition, I am offering the treat, not where her mouth is, put a little bit higher up. She adjusts to this and lift herself to take the treat.

But after taking the treat, her neck falls even further down. So much, that she has to take a step forward to avoid falling on her nose.

Malou’s owner will continue working on this, she will be able to keep a higher head neck position herself which improves her balance.

With Blondie I have seen a lot of progress by feeding a little high than what she offered.

Video helps the trainer to monitor feeding position because it is very easy to get into the habit of feeding where the mouth is instead of where we want it to be.