Teaching "Neshan" to the horse; a simple way to guide purposefully.
Mark training is one type of free training.
In regular free training, the horse is trained to be attracted to the trainer; however, in mark training, the horse is sent towards a "mark."
A mark is any object that you teach the horse to go towards.
We usually use a thick piece of wood that is a few feet long and a few feet wide.
Of course, mats, platforms, and similar items can also be used.
Photo by Branwyn Irwin What is mark training?
Mark training has been used in the film and television industry for years.
For example, imagine filming a horse, and it needs to enter a scene and then stand at a specific point in an open field.
The trainer cannot stand next to the horse, so the horse must learn to go towards a mark.
The trainer places the mark on the ground, practices with the horse a few times to go towards it on cue, and then sends it back to the same point when the cameras are rolling.
However, even if you don't practically need to send your horse to a mark, this is an attractive skill, and training it is very enjoyable for the horses as well.
The main concept is to work the horse away from the mark and then give it rest on the mark.
This makes the horse inclined to stand on the mark because it recognizes it as a place for rest and relaxation.
When I say "on the mark," I mean that both of the horse's front feet should be on the mark.
For this article, let's assume you are using a piece of wood.
Starting mark training, in the first step, the horse should be comfortable standing on the mark.
First, guide the horse onto the wood and then pet it.
You may need to lift one of the horse's feet a few times initially to help it position itself on the mark.
Now, take the horse back off the mark, walk it for a minute, and then guide it back to stand on the mark and pet it again.
Repeat this several times.
Remember that when it's time to leave the mark, take the horse back off the mark, not by guiding it forward to pass over it.
The reason is that eventually, you will send the horse to the mark at a high speed, and you should never let it pass over the mark; because with increased speed, it may go beyond the desired point.
Adding cues now that the horse is comfortable standing on the piece of wood, it should learn to go towards it on cue.
To start, stand about 6 feet in front of the horse and place the mark roughly in the middle of the path between you and the horse.
Place the mark approximately in the middle of the distance between you and the horse, and then practice calling the horse onto the mark.
You can use a whip to help guide the horse.
Photo by Branwyn Irwin The horse should have a halter and lead rope on its head.
It is also better to have a training stick or driving whip in hand.
Now say the word "mark" and, by pulling the lead rope, call the horse forward to go onto the mark.
You can also use the whip to better guide it in the direction you want.
The horse may be a little confused in the first few attempts, but with plenty of patience, help it go onto the mark.
When it completes the task, be sure to pet it and reward it.
It is better to perform this exercise next to the wall or fence of the arena, as the fence helps keep the horse straight and it will be less likely for it to wander aimlessly around the marker.
You can gradually call the horse towards the marker from a farther distance.
Increase the effort when the horse learns to go towards the marker at your command; now you need to create more enthusiasm in it and encourage it to put in more effort during the exercise.
To do this, place the marker in the middle of the arena.
Stand on the marker yourself and lunge the horse around you.
Assuming your horse is turning left, let it circle around you for a couple of rounds, then say "marker" and simultaneously flick the whip from under the lead rope to the left to block the horse's path.
Then take a step back and draw the horse towards the marker.
You may need to assist it with the lead rope during the first few times you do this exercise to get it to the marker, but gradually try to guide the horse towards the piece of wood using the whip.
Keep in mind that eventually, you will do this without a halter and lead rope, so you need to progress towards not relying on these tools.
The reason you first lunge the horse around you and then send it towards the marker is so the horse learns that being away from the marker means working, while the marker itself is a resting place.
As the horse progresses in the exercise, you can then work on sending it towards the marker.
Instead of being close to the marker, you stand at another point, and the horse's task is to go to the marker by itself without your direct guidance.
When the horse can come to the marker on call, you can work on sending it from a greater distance towards the marker.
Start by lunging it around you and then send it towards the marker.
To achieve independence, first place the marker next to a wall or fence.
Gently lunge the horse around you and bring it towards the marker.
Make sure to give the vocal command "marker" just as it approaches the marker.
The goal is for it to step onto the marker and stand.
You can use the whip a little to guide its way to encourage it to stand.
Placing the marker in the corner of the arena can also help prevent the horse from passing by it and not getting too close to the target.
In this section, you should proceed very slowly, but when the horse gradually goes towards the marker by itself, you can send it from farther distances and at higher speeds towards it.
When everything is going well, you take off the reins and lead rope and perform this exercise freely.
Jason Irwin is working on marker training with a horse.
Remember to be very patient in this exercise.
Make sure the horse sees the marker as a very pleasant place and do not work for too long in each session, as this exercise should be enjoyable for both the horse and you.
We wish you and your horse success!
For more training tips from Jason and Branwyn Irwin, visit www.thehorsetrainers.com.
This article about training your horse to the marker was published in the July/August 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated.
Source: Horse Illustrated