Fiona Learns to Move Her Shoulders

A few weeks ago, I published a video where I taught a big mare named Fiona to lower her head on cue, using mostly a positive reinforcement method. I received great feedback on that video, so I decided to share another video with Fiona.
In this video, I work on teaching Fiona how to move or "yield" her shoulders. I find that this is an important skill to teach a horse. Often when we are working with them we may take if for granted that they should know how to move away from us, but if you have ever had a horse push forward or lean their shoulder into you as you were leading them, then you have probably felt the need to be able to ask those shoulder to move away from you.
So having the ability to yield the shoulders is important for many leading and handling situations and it is a skill that she would certainly need for in-hand or under saddle work as well.
In this week's video you can see how Fiona moves easily in one direction but she gets stuck and tries to push forward when we move to the other side.

[@CarameliaM]

I really like that you're wearing your helmet while doing ground work - this is setting a great example! Plus your video is very clear and instructive, really well done! Thank you.

[@rhondatol9946]

Thank you! I have been looking for a video like this for months!

[@occfilms]

I love your videos and have told all my friends and trainers about CRK training. You are awesome with horses and have caused me to take a fresh look at everything I do that has to do with horses. I have shared a link to your channel with many people, because I believe in what you do. Thanks for another great video and some wonderful info on how to teach a horse to move her shoulders! Please keep the videos coming!!!

[@7thMack]

How could you possibly feel crowded with a teensie tiny little mare like that? hahaha. Wow, she's a big, beautiful girl!

[@stephaniebartelt5783]

Thanks for this. I am just learning how to manage manners with my horse, so this is super helpful. I like the little tips, like finger pressure to move her and rewarding the small gives. Your clicker modification is interesting. My mare is so smart and really responds to the more positive reinforcement. I find it's also more fun to be thoughtful and patient with a training session like this. This is a little bit like training dogs, but slightly more intimidating!

[@xxkvck]

Oh my god, she's HUGE!

[@debbiehorn8263]

reminds me of zenettya

[@GoldArmored]

this horse is just like a labrador puppy lol

[@janicefjohnson1]

How do you keep Fiona from being mouthy around you when you hand feed her cookies?

[@Justjack613]

Janice Johnson Thanks for posting that question. It seems to be ignored by these fans of CRKtraining. I thought they were into horsemanship, but it looks like they are just fans of CRKtraining.

[@Justjack613]

Janice Johnson Thanks for posting that question. It seems to be ignored by these fans of CRKtraining. I thought they were into horsemanship, but it looks like they are just fans of CRKtraining. And now they have a new and potentially worse problem of a huge animal being way too mouthy. She'll learn when someone loses a finger.

[@ejcaplan4243]

What breed is she ?

[@missnoblit]

Jenya Caplan i was wondering the same thing she looks like a draft??,

[@Reem-jp7yt]

Hope Noblit maybe she is an mix between draft and another breed as she doesn't look completely like a draft to me

[@wendywoodring383]

She kind of looks like a Tennessee Walker or an American Saddlebred

[@wendywoodring383]

What kind of treat do you use Callie?

[@Justjack613]

To the few people who think my criticism of giving too much treats means I do not like CRKtraining, I just want to say, it's not about loving these people or not. It's about training. Proper training to be exact. I make a habit of watching and paying attention to everybody who posts a video on training. The one constant I find is that the higher up the trainer goes, seems to prove how little they really know. The shame of it all is that people are more interested in someones feelings being hurt rather than the proper lesson in training. IF you know anything about horse training you know you can learn something from a good lesson or a bad lesson. The particular lesson of too many treats is a perfect example. This is called,"a discussion". And that's where you get your education. From the discussion.

[@Justjack613]

Horrible habit of giving treats. I could go on for days about this. I'll leave it up to the readers to come up with their own.

[@occfilms]

Justjack613 I checked your channel and didn't see any training videos from you on how to do this better, so maybe you don't have any better suggestions. It is easy to criticize, but hard to actually get up there and do it yourself. Sad really! I think CRKtraining does a great job!!!

[@Justjack613]

occfilms As I said, I could go on for days about how to train without over treating. But, in short, just replace every time you give a treat with a moment of doing nothing and pet him for it. Pet, not pat.

[@occfilms]

Justjack613 I still think CRK training does a great job! That's where I stand!

[@Justjack613]

occfilms Please see my latest comment. I do like CRKtraining. That doesn't mean I beleive they are gods who walk on water. You either know horsemanship or you don't. The one thing in the world I beleive is impossible to fake is horsemanship. Are you a fan of CRKtraining? Or horsemanship?

[@occfilms]

Justjack613 Obviously I am a fan of horsemanship and the study of horses in itself, there is treating and there is overtreating, if you don't know the difference why don't you take your issue up directly with CRK training!