Pre-Ride Safety Check List
In the previous article I described in detail how to teach your horse to line himself up next to a mounting block using the “Capture the Saddle” lesson.

I know there are many ways to get to this end behavior that do not use the reins, but remember this lesson is part of your “preflight safety check”.  Just as an airplane pilot inspects his plane before takeoff, the rider is “inspecting” her horse.  She’s making sure that the connection to the reins works.

At clinics I don’t always know the riding skills of the people I’m working with.  I want to see the handler teach the “capture the saddle” lesson in this way so I know she understands how to use the rein to connect to her horse’s hindquarters.  If something spooks him and he starts to jump forward, building this in as an automatic reaction can redirect him out of what might otherwise turn into a bolt or a buck.

“Grand Prix” Mounting Block Behavior
Getting on safely at the mounting block is only step one in this lesson.  In the next phase the handler leaves her horse a few steps away from the mounting block.  He is to wait there until she calls him over to line up next to the mounting block.  This is normally taught with backchaining.  Gradually the step or two turns into greater and greater distances.  The “Grand Prix” version of this behavior is the horse comes at a canter, ignoring all distractions, and lines himself up.

Grand Prix behaviors
Most of us have seen Grand Prix horses, perhaps not in person, but certainly on video.  We’ve watched them at the Olympics, in dressage and jumping competitions.  We can all admire those horses. Perhaps you even dream of being the rider on one of these magnificent horses.  Or maybe you think, I could never do that. “I’m just a recreational rider”.  You might not dream of having a Grand Prix dressage horse, but you can certainly have “Grand Prix” behaviors.  That’s a goal that is well worth pursuing, especially when it is done playfully.

A horse who stands beautifully for grooming, and then picks each foot up for cleaning when you just point to it is showing you beautiful “Grand Prix” behavior.  When he canters over from the center of the arena and lines himself up next to the mounting block, that’s most definitely “Grand Prix” behavior.

Robin is showing beautiful, beyond-the-ordinary foot care manners. He is targeting his knee into my waiting hand.  This makes it so very easy for me to clean his foot.

Think about your own horses.  What “Grand Prix” behaviors could you teach them?  Excellence comes in many forms.  It doesn’t have to be a competition-oriented behavior to be impressive training.  In my barn a favorite summertime activity is our nightly watermelon party.   It may not seem like much of a “Grand Prix” behavior, but waiting patiently while a favorite treat is passed out shows impressive self-control.  Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary is the fun of clicker training!

Have Fun!

Coming Next: Cue Communication Part 6: Just Tell Me How you Feel

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Also note: these articles are not intended as an instruction guide for introducing your horse to clicker training.  If you are new to clicker training and you are looking for how-to instructions, you will find what you need at my web sites:

theclickercenter.com                    theclickercentercourse.com