Target Games with Pedro

Written By Alexandra Mackenzie Doan

There’s something timeless about Target games with this old fellow—Pedro may be retired from lessons, but that doesn’t mean his learning is done. We still love engaging his noggin, and it’s clear he loves it too—especially when Dolina joins in! 😊

Watching him perk up when the target stick comes out is a joy. His eyes light up, his ears come forward, and he shifts into “game mode” with the enthusiasm of a much younger horse. These quiet, focused moments remind us that even our elder equines benefit so much from enrichment and attention.

He’s not just participating—he’s teaching us too: patience, communication, and how rewarding it is to meet a horse where they are in life, physically and emotionally. Target games are simple, but the connection they foster is anything but.

Alexandra Mackenzie Doan

Positively Reinforcing good horse and dog behavior

Moose Ridge Farm is located in Lincolnville, Maine just 15 minutes from the coast. A small Dressage Barn where ground work and under saddle work come together to create deeper understanding between horse and rider through clicker training. The horses are able to move around 24/7 in paddocks adjoining their stalls and in the fields. There is a lovely sunny indoor arena, heated tack room and warm water in the wash stall. Horses are given hay 4x day and stalls are fluffy. Alexandra has been clicker training horses for 23 years - her personal horses, her boarders and her riding students. She loves putting the puzzle pieces of animal behavior and training of equines and canines together, not only worki.n with the animals but also coaching the humans. Dog classes, though new to the farm, are not new to her. She grew up with dogs and cats, has raised 3 dogs the past 25 years and is a true animal lover. Positive Reinforcement training is fun and encourages kind, clear communication within boundaries.

https://www.mooseridgefarm.com
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