Zandy the Zorse: Clicker Training Groundwork and Under Saddle

Zandy is a hybrid cross between a Thoroughbred horse mare and Zebra stallion. You can see her beautiful stripes and her long ears. Her owner Tori has been training her with clicker training to follow Alexandra Kurland's clicker training and dressage training. Zandy has made tons of progress in many areas of her groundwork and under saddle work. Most importantly, Zandy and Tori have a wonderful relationship and both love to communicate with each other through clicker training.

Clicker training has been essential to their progress. Zandy reacted defensively and dangerously to agressive trainers and aversive training methods. Traditional training is not as safe or effective as positive reinforcement (clicker training) for exotic hybrid crosses.

In this video, taken May, 23rd, 2011, Tori works on lateral flexions on the ground and under saddle, getting Zandy to give softly to the bit, respond to leg cues, step more deeply underneath herself, lift her back, and to carry herself in a more round way of going. This is important for Zandy's long term soundness, and you can see the beginnings of Zandy's work as a dressage zorse! Zandy is just starting to learn to canter under saddle, so I click just as soon as Zandy starts her canter depart to let her know that is what we are looking for.

To learn more about Zandy's training method and to get started with your horse, donkey, zebra or equine hybrid, visit Zandy and Tori's trainer (Sola Wolff) at www.EquineRevelation.com