Tricks
Super Hero Bootcamp – Minnow gets ready for Pony Penning 2012
July is a busy busy month for us, and for the past several weeks we’ve been getting ready for Pony Penning 2012!
For the past 4 years Minnow has learned a new performance to perform at the Chincoteague Pony Centre during their evening shows. Learning a new performance every year is quite difficult – not only does Minnow have to learn new tricks, but he also has to learn the order in which they are performed – and retain it!
But Minnow is my super pony and every year he amazes me at how quickly he’s able to learn new tricks and performances.
This year Minnow is going to Super Hero Boot Camp, he’s been training really hard and we can’t wait to debut his new skit at the Chincoteague Pony Centre.
If you want to see our new performance you’ll have to come visit us during Pony Penning, but for those of you that just aren’t able to make it this year – have no fear! We’re currently filming at the farm with Depthink Productions for two brand-new DVDs that will also feature Minnow’s new skit. We hope to have it available for purchase sometime next month.
You can also check out our current DVD HERE, which features all of the ponies painting and doing tricks as well as one of Minnow’s skits and some tricks by Ammo the Dachshund.
We can hardly wait to make the trek to Chincoteague Island once again!
Minnow’s favorite furry sidekick Ammo the Dachshund won’t be making the trip with us this time, but we couldn’t leave him out during our Super Hero Photoshoot.
Check out more fun photos of Super Dog Ammo and Super Pony Minnow on Ammo’s Blog.
The Many Smiles of Boomerang
Last year right before the Extreme Cowboy Race I taught Boomerang to smile. Quickly this trick has jumped to the top of the list as one of his all-time favorites.
I have a hand signal cue and a verbal cue for this trick, but most days Boomer just likes to smile for the sake of smiling.
Most times if he just sees me break out the camera he gives me a big beaming smile.
Other times I call his name and he’ll flash me a toothy grin – always followed by the cutest nickering to let me know he heard me.
I love how each smile is different and quirky, just like my silly little Boomerang.
Workout Pony
If you follow us on Facebook then you may already know that Minnow has been working on learning some new tricks. Most of these are in preparation for Pony Penning 2012 as I’m teaching him some new skills for a brand new performance.
Now, you may remember Workout Barbie – well this is Workout Pony! And Workout Pony is way way cooler!
We’re still in the planning stages of our performance and I have lots of ideas for new tricks, but I thought I’d share a video of our first training session with Minnow’s barbell. It’s important to note that this video was shot after I had spent about 10 minutes working on the skill with clicker training. Yes only 10 minutes!
As you can see on the video he has two skills he’s learning – “lifts” and “curls”. I was actually quite shocked he picked it up as fast as he did and he already knows the cues for each skill. As we continue on in his training we’ll work on duration and I just finished making him a more permanent barbell that looks a bit more realistic.
I’m really excited about all the new tricks we will be working on and it will be so much fun to showcase the new performance during Pony Penning.
So, anyone else teaching their horses new tricks this spring? Have any ideas for new tricks for Minnow? We’re always open to suggestions!
Boomerang pefects his Bow
Back in June of last year I started teaching Boomerang to bow. We were getting close to perfecting it (In which I tap his leg and ask for bow and he drops his knee to the ground with ease), when I got slightly sidetracked because Boomer in a way taught himself to laydown on command.
Fast forward nearly a year later and I realized I never “finished” the trick. Boomer simply knew to pick up his leg and lower himself to the ground as I help up his foot for him. Not exactly a polished trick, as I really want him to be able to do it himself just like Minnow.
So after a particularly vigorous ride the other day I knew Boomer was sweaty enough to be enticed to put himself in the soft fluffy screenings in our arena. After one or two attempts to ask him to lift and hold his leg himself, he pretty much figured out what I wanted. I started rewarding him even longer while he stayed bowing and eventually started adding a release word for him. Soon I hope that he’ll stay in the bow until I give him his release word.
Not bad for a quick 5 minute training session.
Hero Juice
Rumor has it, Minnow has been drinking a whole lot of this lately:
Which would explain why he’s been constantly seeking telephone booths we’re down in Chincoteague performing for the 2011 Pony Penning!
We LOVE Minnow, but SUPER MINNOW is quite the showman.
He’s also quite the comedian…..
Oh Minnow, what would we ever do without you?
