Teaching Your Horse to Station/Hold on Target

Stationary targeting is an invaluable tool and can be used in loads of situations, including at gates, paddocks, stalls, separations, trailering and holding for husbandry/veterinary procedures.In this video, I give you a quick example of 3 horses in different stages of learning. The first horse, Sebastion, is a challenging horse since he is new to the training and doesn't really have the basics/impulse control sorted out yet. Next is Murray, who has been doing positive reinforcement training for month now, but holding or going to the stationary target from afar are new behaviors. Finally is Minty, who is an old pro and shows you the more advanced stages. shawnakarrasch.com terranovatrainingcenter.com

[@amandawille8438]

I love this...I started target training a horse that just didn't seem to understand other styles of training...he loves the target and is settling down nicely. I just started target training a week ago and his progress is amazing...I love it...and I know Pete does too...he is gaining confidence and control...its amazing he came so far in a week.

[@sevenjets]

Thank you so much! I really enjoyed seeing 3 different horses in different stages of training. So many training videos just show the end results and never explain how they started training or the progression. This is so helpful, especially all your explanations.

[@shawnakarrasch]

Thank you! I’m reinstating the Ask Shawna page once my website is updated. So lots more to come! 😊

[@TrevaughnPetersonisAwesome2018]

Hi, Shawna Karrasch! My name is Trevaughn Peterson and I'm your video fan!

[@laurief3149]

Minty ❤

[@katemaree5826]

I really like this....thank you.

[@tjligouri1794]

Thank you Shawna! I'm going to use this to "upgrade" my trailer training for sure!

[@denyssymons5464]

Hey

[@bryanlund9098]

Thank you for this sequential training. 💕

[@chloemiles8108]

Ah! Thank you! I was just asking someone about this. My mare is so nervous when standing so this is a must learn for her!

[@erikarado503]

I have a 20-year-old long-ago ex-dressage horse who has had some negative experiences with people and yet, she is hoping that I will get a clue and learn how to be the herd leader (two mares, who incidentally don't have good affection for each other and are separated by a fence - food aggression is one reason.) I am under two years in the horse world and am committed to learning and seeing how we can evolve through the years to have a great life together. I have the immediate goal of having her trust me, and be happy about letting me touch her, keep her calmly standing for 5-10 min for the farrier, and have her let me groom her without trying to bit or spin as if to kick, or sidestep. The three of us have been together for 7 months now. She pins her ears and raises a fuss when she sees equipment in my hands such as a lead rope and halter so I am not able yet to get her to relax to allow me to put it on her. She resists being caught, but eventually with reticence, allows it but that's not what I want. There are no available trainers in my area for clicker or liberty training, and I don't have the skills or equipment to transport them at this time to go out of the area. We are starting from Square One at home. Can you please steer me in the most helpful direction to get my horses in a row while being on my own? Our farrier will be returning to hopefully trim her in about 3 1/2 weeks, we have had to skip the last two visits for her. Thank you for what help you can offer! ~ Erika

[@shawnakarrasch]

Hi Erika! I would love it if you would submit your question to the form on my website, www.on-target-training.com. Go to the Ask Shawna tab and you will see the form there! Thank you, and forgive me for this reply taking so long!

[@amandawille8438]

I love target clicker training there are so many videos...on it and it is a wonderful thing...consistency is key...and repeating the behavior have fun with it. Oh on thing I noticed is relax and blink don't hard stare or stare at horses that lack confidence...also baby steps...try a touch for 2 seconds and give treats click then go to longer duration...I do short sessions with my sensitive horse...I started with clicking for him holding his lower too he tried to keep his head over mine...this worked only took 2 days in one week he learned 15 behaviors including back.

[@newpathshorsesanctuary5852]

So helpful! Looking forward to more *:D

[@rachelshepherd1261]

love your video's, thanku so much for sharing them 💕 can I ask where you get your treat buckets & what treats you use? :)

[@katemorgan4346]

Its been 8 months and still no replay... so I thought I'd share with you what I do and works very well. I used cut up carrot(1/2" chunks approx) as the reward and when my horse did something "really well" I had another hip pouch (found at the dollar store) that had my home made special reward (1 1/2 cups unsweetened apple sauce mixed with 1 cup quick oats and 1/2 cup flour) flatten mixture into a 9 x 9" pan and back at 350 for 30 minutes. When cool cut into small pieces. This trained my horse to know she did particularly well and encouraged her to reach that level again. Hope this helps. :-)

[@shawnakarrasch]

Hi Rachel! Please forgive the delay in my reply- you can find the buckets on my website, www.on-target-training.com, on the Products page. I use many different treats for reinforcers; Cavalor treats, timothy pellets, Buckeye apple, carrot, peppermint treats, chopped apples and carrots, Ms. Pasture treats...it really depends on the horse. For some horses, timothy pellets are high value enough, and for some other horse, higher value treats like apples are what motivates them. You just have to experiment and see what works for your horse!

[@barbaraisherwood]

Great tutorial, thanks. What is the target, where can I get them please?

[@katemorgan4346]

I thought I'd reply to your question because you don't always have to "purchase" your tools... lol. I took about an 8" section of a pool noodle (a wide one) and placed it on the end of a broom handle that I cut to about 3'. I glued it on. I used a plastic broom handle because it was very light and glued the cut end into the pool noodle section inserting it about 1/3 rd so the cut end did not show.

[@shawnakarrasch]

You can find them on my website- www.on-target-training.com, on the Products page. Thank you for asking!

[@carolineclayson7959]

What is the target you are using please

[@shawnakarrasch]

Hi Caroline! I sell these targets on my website- on-target-training.com/products/; they are a boat buoy on the end of either a wood dowl or even an extendable selfie stick!

[@shawnakarrasch]

Wait! I think you are talking about the stationary target? I use small boat fenders. They are sturdy and easy for the horses to see. I use sturdy cable ties to attach them to fences or in the stall I use eye screws. I sell them too but you can buy them at a boating supply store. 😊

[@lisacooper6328]

this is too controlling...

[@denyssymons5464]

Hello 👋