Horse Training Tips

Training your horse to smile on cue

Decide on a verbal cue ie Smile and a hand signal (I use my left hand and turn my hand into a gun shape). Have a spray bottle of lemon juice on your treat pouch. If you use a whistle instead of a clicker that may be easier and keeps both hands free.

Always use the same hand to give the hand signal.

  1. Spray a fine mist of lemon juice (or something your horse thinks is interesting - keep it natural) toward the horses nose.
  2. Cue with your left hand and say the word Smile
  3. When the horse turns his nose up, bridge it straight away with your whistle or clicker and then instantly reward him from your treat pouch using small pieces of carrot.

Once you have gone through this routine a few times you can leave more and more time between bridging and treating.


Eventually your horse will be smiling on cue and from a distance.

Don’t forget to mix it up, near and far, If he gives you a really big smile, pay him with a jackpot - a lot of carrot pieces!

And, as always, finish each training session on a positive note.