It takes patience to train a horse.Trust is required when training a horse to lie down.Your horse is putting himself in a vulnerable position by lying down in front of you.In the past, lying down a horse has been used to teach horses who is in charge.Some horse trainers and wranglers may still use this method, but it won't be explained here.There are two safe and humane methods to teach a horse to lie down.Both methods allow the horse to lie down on his own.
Step 1: You have to bring the equipment with you.
You will need to bring the horse and clicker with you, but you will also need your horse's favourite treats.If the horse gets spooked, you should wear the proper equipment yourself, so you don't get hurt.A helmet is an excellent piece of safety equipment to have around horses.If you don't have the time and patience to follow through with a training session, it's not worth it.It takes time and repetition to train an animal.
Step 2: Wet your horse.
A wet horse wants to lay down in order to roll around.Wetting your horse will make him do what you want him to do.If you can find a garden hose that is long enough to reach where you are, it is the best way to wet your horse.If a garden hose is not possible, use a couple of buckets filled with water.You may be able to use the horse's water trough to fill buckets.
Step 3: Make sure your horse behaves the way you want it to.
Stand back and watch your horse after he has been wet.Give your horse a treat when he lays down.The act of lying down is what gets the treat.You have to be patient because this may take a long time.You have to be paying attention as well.If you click too long after your horse lays down, he might not connect the right behavior with the reward.If your horse has been trained to clicker, he may know that a treat is on the way.This may speed the process up because your horse already knows he must perform a specific behavior to hear the click, and a click means treats.
Step 4: The process of wet and watch should be repeated.
Continue to watch and reward your horse for lying down.If you aren't used to clicker training, you may need to re-wet your horse so he will continue to do the behavior naturally.
Step 5: A cue is added.
When your horse has connected with a click and a treat, you want to add a cue or signal to the process.When you want your horse to lie down, you will give this cue or signal.The cue needs to be connected with the combination of lie down-click-treat.The key to this step is to only click and give your horse a treat when he is lying down.If your horse does not have a cue or signal, do not click or reward him.A cue can be anything that works for you and your horse, including a word or verbal command, hand gesture, whistle, or other sound.If you choose a cue that isn't related to a gesture or word you say on a regular basis, your horse will be confused.This may take a while, so be patient.
Step 6: The time between the click and the behavior can be extended.
The purpose of training your horse to lie down is not to have him jump up immediately.You might be training your horse to lie down because you want him to stay in that position for a while.Increase the pause between when your horse lies down and when you click the clicker in order to train it to stay lying down.Begin with a short pause and work your way up.Treat your horse if he doesn't stay lying down until you use the clicker.
Step 7: Praise and encourage throughout training.
Continue to talk to your horse in a gentle manner, even if your signal is a voice command.Praise him at the same time as you click and give him a treat.
Step 8: The trick should be changed.
If you want your horse to eventually perform a trick, you need to train him to lie down.If you want your horse to look like he is sitting on his rump but his front hooves are on the ground, you don't want to lie down to be the final phase.This position would come naturally to your horse when he goes to stand up.Time the click and treat with the exact position you want.It is not necessary to turn this into a trick.Being able to get your horse to lie down may be all you need.
Step 9: Make your horse feel safe.
Horses only lie down when they feel safe and comfortable.Training your horse to lie down won't work if he's in a place that makes him feel safe.You may want to move the training to another location if you are not located in such a place.If you don't know where your horse likes to rest and sleep, you should observe him.This is where he feels safest.Horses like to roll around in mud.You will want to teach them to lie down if there is a location they prefer.If you start training and your horse isn't interested, stop.Even if your horse is comfortable around you, they might not be having a good day.
Step 10: It is possible to build a connection with your horse that does not include riding.
While riding a horse is a lot of fun, and will build a connection between you, you also want to spend time with your horse when not riding.A more peaceful time with your horse will build a better connection between you and him.If you want to spend more time with your horse outside of riding, you can take him for a walk after you remove his tack.Reward your horse for his good behavior.Pay attention to your body language.If you are tense or uncomfortable, your horse will notice.You want to remain calm.
Step 11: Your horse will be rewarded for imitating your movements.
You want to teach your horse to repeat or imitate you before you attempt to lie down.Your horse will want to imitate you all the time once he learns he will be rewarded for doing what you do.You cannot do this step when you are not on your horse.You should be at the ground level with him.You want your horse to decide what movements to make and when, so you want to let go of the lead.Walk around the paddock.Reward your horse if he follows you.If your horse does the same thing, stop and reward him.
Step 12: Your horse is lying down.
If you can, enter when your horse is lying down.If you approach him, encourage him to lie down.Reward and praise him when you get beside him.Make sure to approach your horse slowly and calmly.Speak softly as you approach your horse.If your horse doesn't want to stay lying down when you walk up to him, you may need to try this over and over again.Your horse needs to trust you to stay down.You might not be successful if you attempt this step before your horse trusts you.Re-try the previous steps to gain your horse's trust before attempting this step again.
Step 13: Pretend you are going to lie down.
If your horse is interested in imitating you, act out the movements required to lie down.Stand still in one spot and bend over.If you bend your head forward, you can see the ground.You should reach for the ground with your hands and arms.You can imitate the sounds your horse makes when lying down if you notice that.That might help you get your horse to do something.If your horse is paying attention to you and interested in what you are doing, this will work.If the horse ignores you, try to get his attention by walking after him.When your horse copies your behavior, reward and praise him.Give him a lot of praise and treats if he actually lies down.
Step 14: Sit or lie down.
It may help if you lie down in front of your horse.The horse will lie down if he wants to imitate you.Praise and reward proper behavior.
Step 15: Don't over train any one training session.
If your horse isn't interested, stop trying after 15 minutes.You and your horse might end up getting confused, frustrated, or both if you stay longer than this.
Step 16: The process should be repeated.
Training can take more than one day.Try it again the next day.If your horse picks up all the signals, keep going.The most important point in training a horse is to be patient.The reason punishment isn't involved is because your horse is never doing anything wrong.You only reward the behavior you want your horse to repeat, but other behaviors are just as acceptable.This method is based on your horse.While you may need to act out the process of lying down until your horse comprehends it, eventually he will lie down.Eventually, you won't need to lie down on your horse every time.