I assume that I should have started with the target stick, but the harm is already done. Alva Gronqvist Alva is learning the hard way that trick training for horses should come with warning labels attached. Tricks are a great way to introduce dogs to the clicker, but with horses I think you should begin with basic handling skills. That way you are reinforcing good manners and safety issues even while your horse is learning the clicker game. Without that tricks can very quickly become dangerous behaviors as Alva is already discovering.
Horses get very eager to perform the behaviors they ve learned.
What is a cute behavior for a dog, can easily become a dangerous behavior in a horse. Clicker trained horses are eager to work. If you start teaching tricks before you have established a good working relationship, you can lose control of your horse. Tricks don t always follow the same rules of respecting space that other training exercises do. Enthusiasm is a good thing, so long as basic manners are solidly in place first.