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I am teaching Dakota to target a variety of objects.
At first I was working with a little orange traffic cone. Eventually I hope to use the cone to aid in loading him onto
the trailer. I then plan to teach him through shaping, that the cone is a visual cue for "stand here and stay".
Having him in a calm and stable position, this will make saddling, brushing, and mountain him a lot easier and safer.
I am also teaching him to bump his nose to what is known as a "target stick". Mine is made of a simple rod and
plastic soda bottle ductaped together. The goal is for the horse to touch the tip of the stick with his nose only. Eventually
you can raise the criteria to the animal following the target, not only touching it out of a stand. This enables the handler
to direct the horse into any direction.
Below are video clips of various targets and targeting exercises.
Click Here To See Target Training With A Cone
Click Here To See Target Training With A Target Stick
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