Description
Summary: A clever means for accomplishing practical training goals through fun games that engage both horse and handler. For years, Nancy Bailey toured the East Coast with her Morgan Horse Clifford, bringing him to senior centers, libraries, and hospitals to connect with people of all ages. His natural tendency toward performance and playful personality provided a means for teaching him tricks, and he was a hit, providing comfort and a laugh, wherever he and Bailey went. Along the way, Bailey noticed how common horse tricks are useful for building bonds with horses. Many tricks have practical applications, such as Playing Fetch, Posing, and Coming When Called (help prepare your horse for being caught); Standing Still, Lowering Head, Bowing (important lessons in ground manners to keep you safe); Waving Flag, Hugging, Counting with One Foot (keeping serious lessons light); and of course Housetraining (if you are inviting your horse inside a building—imperative)! Now, in these pages, Bailey shares the achievable techniques—using tricks to improve understanding and behavior—that have worked so well for her throughout her career training horses and dogs for movies and commercials. With a focus on Clicker Training tools and methodology, Bailey walks us through the basic steps for teaching any horse your favorite tricks, using positive reinforcement and general enjoyment to keep the horse (and you!) interested in learning more. Instructional photographs and clear directions bolstered by Bailey’s warmth for the subject and penchant for silliness ensure that this is the perfect guide to have on-hand, whatever your age, and whatever your preferred breed or riding discipline, as long you want working with your horse to be fun. Yes, it IS possible to housetrain a horse using positive reinforcement (R+) training. Trafalgar Square Books’ previous two horse trick training books have collectively sold over 18,000 copies. Step-by-step, how-to photos guide the reader through each trick with problem-solving suggestions along the way. Author Bio: Nancy J. Bailey is an artist, animal trainer for films and commercials, and author who flavors all her work with her signature brand of self-effacing humor. A community theatre buff, Bailey has written, directed, produced, and acted in several of her own plays, including a comedy which earned a CTAM Award. For years, Bailey toured with her horse Clifford, a trick-trained Morgan who visited libraries and schools to promote literacy and empathy, and provided therapy for people with disabilities. Clifford was inducted into the EQUUS Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame in 2018. Bailey currently lives in Michigan with several dogs, cats, and two horses—PepperJack and Clifford, Jr—who also travel to schools and libraries, performing tricks and promoting literacy, as well as assisted living centers, offering connection and friendship.
