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26 Jul Clicker training and the competition horse?
Clicker training and the competition horse? The clicker is used to train a new behavior or improve an existing response. Once a behavior is established, reliable and on cue, the clicker and reward are phased out and only used again if you need to “tune up” the response to that cue. By the time your horse goes into a show ring or competition, the horse should have well established responses to all the cues you will need for that type of event.26 Jul How will clicker training fit into my existing training program?
Posted at 08:59h
in Clicker Training Basics, Frequently Asked Questions, Frequently Asked Questions about Clicker Training Horses 0 Comments
How will clicker training fit into my existing training program?
Perfectly! Most natural, traditional and classical horse training methods are based on negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is about removing a pressure when the horse responds correctly. For example, when riding we ask a horse to go forwards by applying a light pressure to the horse’s belly with our legs. We squeeze the horse with our legs and gradually increase the pressure with our legs until the horse steps forwards. When the horse steps forwards we release the pressure of our legs.
26 Jul Dopamine, oxytocin and clicker training?
Dopamine, oxytocin and clicker training? Clicker training uses the reward circuitry in the horse’s brain. This causes an increase in the levels of dopamine and oxytocin in the horse’s system. These are neurochemicals that are responsible for making a horse feel good. As a side effect of training with positive reinforcement we actually end up increasing the neurochemicals that make a horse feel good.26 Jul What happens when two or more people are riding with a clicker in the same arena?
Posted at 08:57h
in Clicker Training Basics, Frequently Asked Questions, Frequently Asked Questions about Clicker Training Horses 0 Comments
What happens when two or more people are riding with a clicker in the same arena? It is really amazing to watch a whole group of horses all being clicker trained in the same arena. The horses easily figure out which click is for them because...
26 Jul Can I use clicker training with a foal or an older horse?
Posted at 08:56h
in Clicker Training Basics, Frequently Asked Questions, Frequently Asked Questions about Clicker Training Horses 0 Comments
Can I use clicker training with a foal or an older horse? Yes! Clicker training works with horses of all ages. Though I normally don’t worry about introducing a foal to the clicker until they are eating solid food. However in some situations with orphans or...
26 Jul My horse is not really interested in food rewards, will clicker training work?
My horse is not really interested in food rewards, will clicker training work? Yes! Some horses will appear to not be interested in food rewards in the beginning. They might take one or two treats and then seem like they are full or not interested in the food or even spit it out. These horses will end up keen and enthusiastic about clicker training within a few short sessions.26 Jul Is it safe to use food rewards in training?
Is it safe to use food rewards in training? Yes! Clicker training creates rules around the food rewards and teaches the horse how to take food out of your hand gently. This is like teaching the horse “table manners”.26 Jul Can you use clicker training while riding?
Can you use clicker training while riding? Yes! It is easy to incorporate clicker training into ridden work. Using clicker training while riding will help the horse become very calm, motivated, obedient and responsive. It will also really help with teaching the horse advanced performance work such as dressage, jumping, western riding or reining.26 Jul What can I use clicker training for?
Posted at 06:13h
in Clicker Training Basics, Frequently Asked Questions, Frequently Asked Questions about Clicker Training Horses 0 Comments
Clicker training can be used to teach your horse almost anything!
Clicker training can be used for:
- Groundwork, handling, leading, in hand work.
- Teach the horse to have their feet and legs handled safely.
- Bombproofing, desensitizing the horse to scary objects, tarps, clippers, hosing, standing still for plaiting etc.
- Loading and unloading in floats and horse trucks.
- Teaching the horse to accept injections, wormers or allow you to treat an injury or apply medication.