Wild Horse Clicker Clinic
The Ryder Draw
When I start to work with a horse that I do not know, I will give him a
treat while he is restrained, either in his corral or on lead by the owner.
One or two treats is enough for him to "know" who to look for or pay
attention to.
Then he'll be turned out in the round pen. Everything is done slowly and
non-chalantly. Standing around talking to the owners might be done for a
few minutes or so while the horse does his thing in the round pen.
At some point, the clicker will click while the horse is near the outside of
the pen so that he can be walked up to and given a treat. A few times of
this will usually be enough to start the "draw".
I'll stay at that oblique angle to the horse's eye--45 degrees off to the
side, behind the eye still on the outside of the pen. When the horse gives
me his eye, I'll click and then treat. Shortly the horse will turn his head
along with giving the eye, CT. Then he progresses to turning his body along
with his head and eye, CT. Moving along the outside of the pen, the horse
will start to follow and want to be near the source of treats.
This is sort of a give and take time, finding out what the horse can give
without being nervous and how receptive he is to the method. I will
approach the horse to give him his treat, until he is comfortable facing up
for it.
It's my opinion that this works well for the horses since they are not being
asked to stand for any time. They are free to move at any time, either
toward or away from the source of treats. Being able to move is important
to a horse, and having that movement incorporated in their training seems to
work well. They are making the choice to follow.
When the horse is "drawing" and facing up nicely, depending on the horse's
history and behavior, I may go into the round pen with him, either with the
horse at liberty or on halter/lead.
Again, depending on the horse, we might start moving his body with a turn on
the fore, asking him to move a foot, or to back up a step. This is done
with my body and seems to work quite well. For a good horse, he can run
thru some of the Parelli games at liberty quite quickly. For some horses,
working on the lead rope might be used rather than at liberty. Still
moving, moving, moving, asking him to follow here and there.
If at any time, the horse's attention starts to drift, I will try to notice
this and leave the pen, waiting for the horse's invitation to come back in.
Psychologically, this gives the horse the choice in the matter.
Targeting is intense concentration for the horse. Working the draw
incorporates movement and focus changes.
Email: iceryder@cableone.net
