Tex the pony and I have been working on getting really, really good at backing up. This is one skill we’ve really been focusing on for the past several clicker training sessions. Backing up is good for Tex for two reasons. (Actually, there are probably a lot more reasons!)
1. Tex is quickly becoming a bit of a pushy pony. Teaching him a solid back up cue is a proactive way to work on space management. Backing shows him that he gets more treats when he moves out of my space, rather than when he’s in my pockets.
2. Backing up is helping Tex learn to take treats more politely. Tex loves his treats. He’s developed a habit of lunging forward to get the treat when he hears the click. Not good! Rather than stop using treats, I can use the treats to get him to rock back a step to get his treat, rather than eagerly lean forward.
We’ve worked for 5-10 minutes on backing for the past three sessions. He’s doing great, I just have to point a finger toward his chest and he’ll start backing up. If I walk with him, he’s more than willing to move ten steps back.
So, when I went to catch him yesterday, he showed me that his lessons are really sinking in! When I entered the pasture, he came straight up to me, like he always does. Usually he waltzes right up to me, gently sniffs my body and pockets, and then lines himself up so that he can get plenty of scratches.
Today, he leaned forward to sniff me, then caught himself. He took a handful of steps back, until he was a good four or five feet away from me. Then he cocked an ear at me and stood there with a bit of a goofy grin on his face. He took one step forward, but then immediately backed up another step.
Smart pony! He definitely got a laugh out of me, as well as a big handful of treats. There’s hope yet for this pushy little pony! Many people shy away from clicker training because they are afraid it will make their horse pushy or rude. However, clicker training is a positive way to teach our horses to have great manners.
Mary – You have just described my Welsh pony to a “T!” I can now hold a peppermint under his nose and he will not take it without verbal permission or a back-up cue! Ponies have very good brains…..and they know how to use them for ill or for good! LOL Lovely post!
He does sound like a smart pony to me, too! I’m a big fan of the “take a step back” for maintaining appropriate space and also for treat-taking – Dawn’s pretty good at it, but Pie needs more work . . .
Yay Tex! What a smart pony. 🙂 I don’t even have to ask Chrome to back up anymore when I feed him. He follows me halfway to his bucket and then backs all the way across the stall until his butt is against the fence while I pour his feed in. 🙂
LOL.
Sounds like Chrome knows exactly what to do!
My horses’ new home came with a pushy mare, I’m doing as little as possible with her just to insure my own safety. I’ve been doing a little backing and a lot of grownups are talking with her. I think maybe I need to switch that to do more backing now.