Something can always be learned by watching other people train and work their horses, especially what NOT to do. But finding what TO do can be a challenge and show up in the most surprising of places. I am not a huge advocate of trainers who specialize in trick training. Don’t get me wrong, I have been teaching my horses to perform various tricks since I can last remember… the key difference is whether that is ALL you do. Certainly not all trainers who specialize in trick horse training focus all of their attention on the tricks, and that is particularly what caught my eye in this video. What I want to draw your attention to is the horse’s high neck posture – it is a vital part of the equation how his trainer is able to ask for and execute such brilliant movements from him. Certainly he doesn’t have a Piaffe that will score a ten at the next WEG (or Olympics…) but note the instantaneous jump from Piaffe into standing up on his hind legs and balancing. There is clearly more at work here than mere tricks and I give kudos to this man and his horse.