March 24, 2011
Trick-Training Animals Lessons With Lukas, the World’s Smartest Horse - Pressure
Pressure is any request I make of my student. I use the lightest detectable cue possible - in this way the animal becomes more sensitive and anticipatory. Let’s all take a little test. This one always gets everyone’s attention! I’d like you to take your finger and using a regular cueing pressure, the amount you’d typically use, say, to get your dog or horse to move over - touch your own arm. Now hold that for a moment, feel it? OK, now let’s try this. Ready? Same finger, and this time with a touch as… light…and soft…and barely there as a feather, rest it on your arm. Notice the difference? This is what my horses feel.
