I'm wondering how practical it is for training horses. I've seen people teaching trick horses with clickers, often for target training. But would you use a clicker for riding and such?
For people who don't know what clicker training is I will try to explain. You have this little device with a button that makes a very consistant click noise. It is somewhat loud and very understandable. Each time the click happens the animal gets a treat. The click is the reward. They do the same sort of training with dolphins. Because you can't give the animal a treat in mid-jump, they would whistle, and then give the fish. So the animals are trained to listen for the whistle, or the click, as a reward. And then they'd get the treat. It's pretty much just a praise, but quick and easy. Saying "good girl" or "good boy" can be inconsistant, but that clicker is always the same each time. With the right timing, an animal can catch onto things fast.
I'm thinking it's a pretty cool way of training, but it really depends on the individual animal. So, what is your opinion?
