Melody has been trained using the method popularly known as "clicker training". I prefer to call it "target training" which is a more accurate description of what one is asking the horse to do, which in Melody's case was a series of behaviors initially shaped by teaching her to touch her nose to an object, initially a soccer cone and the end of a training stick. Melody, will rear, bow and retrieve. Melody is, well, what can I say, Mel-o-dramatic. Target training helps focus her high adrenaline brain and allows me to tell her when she frantically goes through a series of behaviors, which behavior is the correct one. It is a great training aid for a high strung horse!
The Bow
Retrieving training stick
Retrieving Soccer Cone
And last but not least, retrieving Crazy Mr. Pumpkin Man.
When she is really hyper motivated and there are no more "toys" left to retrieve, she will bring back stray baling twine and sticks LOL!
The levade or rear is Melody's favorite targeting behavior. She really can get into it and look menacing.
