Warning: Teaching your horse to kiss can be hazardous to your health. Possible side effects include but are not limited to: Anosmia (loss of smell), Carrot Breath, Unplanned muddy facemask, Giant green or orange smooch-marks.
Step one:
Arm yourself with a bucket full of carrots. Show one to your horse, then hide the rest nearby for easy access (for you, not your carrot-stealing ninja of a student).
Step two:
Raise a carrot to hold it beside your cheek, and give your horse a voice command, such as “Kiss”. Repeat this several times, rewarding him each time with a small piece of carrot taken from beside your cheek, until your horse learns to look to your face for carrots.
Step three:
To wean your horse off the carrot, try hiding it behind your back, and tap your cheek with your other hand, once again giving your voice command. Your horse should follow your hand to search for the carrot. When his muzzle touches your cheek, reward him. Repeat this a number of times, giving the voice command every time.
Step four:
With both hands behind your back, give your horse the voice command to kiss. He may be confused at first, but you should see him searching for the carrot. Keep repeating the command until he raises his head to search for it at your cheek, then reward him. Keep repeating this step until your horse learns to always look to your cheek for a carrot when you give the appropriate voice command.
Step five:
Once your horse has learned to kiss, you can gradually advance the trick by teaching him to lip your cheek, or to kiss your lips instead. No matter what you decide to do with the trick, make sure you only reward your horse when you get the desired reward. If you want to teach him to perform the trick without a reward, then start asking him to repeat the trick numerous times between rewarding him, increasing the number each time.
*Note: When asking your horse to kiss, always be aware that horses are big animals, and to have a horse’s head anywhere near your face can be dangerous. Always be ready to back away in case he moves his head too suddenly. And, most importantly, watch your nose! If you’re not careful, your horse might think you have a carrot sticking out of your face, and turn you into society’s next Voldemort!
My god, your horses are just too beautiful. It's just not fair. :)
I'm totally going to teach my ponies to do this. Maybe not Broddi though. He's too friendly already. The last thing I need is his big clunky head hovering around looking for more treat! XD
My god, your horses are just too beautiful. It's just not fair. :)
I'm totally going to teach my ponies to do this. Maybe not Broddi though. He's too friendly already. The last thing I need is his big clunky head hovering around looking for more treat! XD
I'm sure my boss's gelding Sawyer would be great for this (he already kisses hands and arms for no reason) but I'm not sure she'd appreciate me teaching him it XD
There was a yearling filly I worked with last season who did it just for kicks, nobody taught her it. If you made kissy sounds she'd automatically lift her head up to lip your lips. It was adorable XD We called her "Miss K" or "Lady K" because they're all named after their dams before they're sold (High Chaparral ex Miss Krovanh).
I'm sure my boss's gelding Sawyer would be great for this (he already kisses hands and arms for no reason) but I'm not sure she'd appreciate me teaching him it XD
There was a yearling filly I worked with last season who did it just for kicks, nobody taught her it. If you made kissy sounds she'd automatically lift her head up to lip your lips. It was adorable XD We called her "Miss K" or "Lady K" because they're all named after their dams before they're sold (High Chaparral ex Miss Krovanh).
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