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Do you recommend clicker training?

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What do YOU think of clicker training

28K views 93 replies 30 participants last post by  shawnakarrasch 
#1 ·
Hiya, just a few questions on clicker training. I met a trainer today who said she uses clicker training to train many of her horses and has had success with it and she said for me to give it a try with my pony. I know what clicker training is, I've heard of it before but never really looked into it. After researching a bit, It sounds quite interesting, I have a few questions and opinons needed, that were unclear while I was researching. Here they are :D

What is YOUR opinon on clicker training?
Pros and Cons?
What experience/have you ever used clicker training. Did you have success?
Can you combine clicker training with other training methods?
Will you ever be able to stop using the clicker and treats or will you always have to click and treat your horse?
How to keep a horse from becoming 'pushy' with the treats?

Thanks!!:D
 
#2 ·
What is YOUR opinon on clicker training?

Personally, I don't like it.

Pros and Cons?


Pros - could maybe be useful for horses who won't focus well, I guess.
Cons - add's an extra step I don't feel is necessary. Creates dependency on the "treat/click".

What experience/have you ever used clicker training. Did you have success?


Trained my dog with a clicker for a while. Never a horse. Yes, I had success. But I also had the same success without it.

Can you combine clicker training with other training methods?


Yes. Although it tends to get confusing for the animal.

Will you ever be able to stop using the clicker and treats or will you always have to click and treat your horse?


Don't know. Never used it with a horse and doubt I would. With a dog, it depends on the dog.

How to keep a horse from becoming 'pushy' with the treats?


I wouldn't give them :)

Basically I approach training in a very different manner than some. I don't look to "treat" or "reward" expected behavior. I give "treats" just because, but never as a form of training. I want the animal working for me and with me, not for the treat.

BUT, I haven't trained a horse in over 25 years so take this for what it's worth to ya ;)
 
#3 ·
What is YOUR opinon on clicker training?

I like it a lot. I use it with my mare, maybe not every day, but it allows for another type of training when maybe something else isn't working. It is a clear "Yes, that is what I want".

Pros and Cons?

Pros: Clear cue. Positive reinforcement. Most horses respond very well to it.

Cons: I don't keep the clicker with me at all times.

What experience/have you ever used clicker training. Did you have success?

I trained her to NOT be a treat monster. She is also trained to the target. Backing up on verbal command, and ground tying.

Can you combine clicker training with other training methods?

I do. I don't stick with one training method. I use whatever works best for my horse and I. I do not think it breaks the "bond", just using different tools to communicate and train.

Will you ever be able to stop using the clicker and treats or will you always have to click and treat your horse?

You will eventually be able to phase out the treats as well as the clicker with a well established behavior. Something that they do automatically, (picking up hooves) no longer needs any sort of reward. Other behaviors will become second nature like that.

How to keep a horse from becoming 'pushy' with the treats?

I did it the same way you would with a dog and the "Leave it" command. I put a treat in my hand, verbal command "Leave it" let her nose it, lip it (No teeth!) nudge it, but as soon as she turns her head away, *click* treat. She now will politely turn her head to the side and wait for a treat. And if I can train Arya "The Treat Monster" that, any horse can learn it.
 
#4 ·
What is YOUR opinon on clicker training?
Pros and Cons?
What experience/have you ever used clicker training. Did you have success?

Personally I have never found a need to use clicker training. The only experience I have had with it is with dogs, and then they have come to me because they needed training. I find that there is no need for a clicker if training is done correctly.

Can you combine clicker training with other training methods?

Never tried, but dogs that have been clicker trained adapt quickly to direct commands and praise in the form of a scratch or voice praise.
Will you ever be able to stop using the clicker and treats or will you always have to click and treat your horse?

See above!


The one thing that puts me off clicker training is that I would never be able to find the darn clicker with all the junk I gather in my pockets!
How to keep a horse from becoming 'pushy' with the treats?
 
#66 ·
of course not!



I use a clicker but there are times when I leave it home, in the car, lost in the barn somewhere...but when training I always use a verbal cue OR a physical cue along with the clicker. I have found that with the clicker the horse recognizes the desired behavior I want much faster because they know that the clicker sound means they did something good. And once they know what I want I have never had a problem getting the same response without the clicker. I cant imagine any reason why any body would think its a negative thing. It's certainly helpful.

I also reward with a good scratch about 70-80% of the time, treats are just used to recapture his interest when it starts to wander.
 
#7 ·
The clicker, a whistle, a certain sound you make with your voice is the same thing. It is called a bridge. The sound of the click is just very distinct and most horses have never heard it before which makes it stand out.

And no, you don't have to carry a clicker around 24/7. It can be phased out, just like praise once you have established the behavior.

I will do a little ground work with the clicker, then some lunging using NH methods without the clicker, then ride without the clicker. It doesn't have to be used all the time or every day. She understands NH "horse language" just like she understands the click means "Yes".
 
#8 ·
There is huge benefits to clicker training your horse. The whole principle is based in the science of behavior. It is going on already, whether you know it or not. So the more you know and understand the better you will be as a trainer, partner and communicator. You will be shocked by the difference in your horse. The mouthy pushiness only comes by people who are not aware of the behavior principles that govern the horses lives. It is super easy to get polite manners using food as a training tool. I have fixed horses of mouthiness and biting, even aggressive biters, using food as a reward. Again it is all in the basic education.

You can definitely add "clicker" training to what ever you are currently doing. You will see a big shift in your horses focus and enthusiasm. Whether you want to teach him to stand quietly, better transitions (upward or downward), clipping, trailer loading or jumping a course...or anything else in between.

Every horse does something to avoid something (traditional and Natural Horsemanship) or to get something (positive reinforcement) The key is something that the horse values. There is a huge tendency for humans to assign our own values and not really paying attention to the horses response. Because they are hard wired for food, due to survival, it's value as a motivator is unrivaled by anything we currently hold in horse training. Food, air, water, sleep and procreation are the other primary reinforcements fro which they are hard wired. As you move along in training you will find the food and clicker are not even a focus anymore. I could go on and on...I have used positive reinforcement for 28 years now. BYW the term clicker training is actually erroneous but has become a familiar term. At Sea World we didn't use clickers and we certainly didn't call it clicker training. I have been using it with horses for 18 years now and I have worked extensively with Beezie Madden, two time Olympic Gold medalist and she is on her way to London this year too. In fact I started my training business from an invitation from Beezie and her husband. I lived at their farm and worked with them and their horses. But I have also worked with Olympic coach and dressage rider, Jane Savoie as well as other international professionals.

Learning about positive reinforcement and how to apply it is easy and quite fun. If you want to learn more or watch some videos you can go to: On Target Training with Shawna Karrasch OR Clicker Training for Horses - YouTube

Th"Clicker Trained Horse Remembers After 7 Years" is a fun one that everyone gets a kick out of. If you have more questions I will be happy to help.
 
#10 ·
A horse IS NOT a dog. Nor does its mom bring it food. I strongly disagree with the concept of using food as a training aid.
Wild dogs bring food back to a den and feed their pups. When you give a dog a treat his brain says, "WOW what a cool dude he brought me some food".

When you give a horse food, he thinks he just punked you and took it away from you. Yes you can establish dominance and then give treats, but nothing sends a bigger message of leadership to a horse faster than making him wait until you are done eating.

Still think the clicker is nothing more than a gimmick. I see nothing you can do with a clicker I cant do with a couple simple voice commands. Why waste time training with something then phasing it out ? So I am supposed to train my horse to stand with a click, then phase it out to use something else ? sounds kinda dumb, why not train him to stand when I say "STAND" from the getgo ? My horses are perfectly capable of understanding STAND, BACK, YAH MULE, WHOO MULE, and GET THE @#$%^^ off my foot you stupid f$&*^* !!! jack @#$%^ !!!
 
#11 ·
Still think the clicker is nothing more than a gimmick. I see nothing you can do with a clicker I cant do with a couple simple voice commands. Why waste time training with something then phasing it out ? So I am supposed to train my horse to stand with a click, then phase it out to use something else ? sounds kinda dumb, why not train him to stand when I say "STAND" from the getgo ? My horses are perfectly capable of understanding STAND, BACK, YAH MULE, WHOO MULE, and GET THE @#$%^^ off my foot you stupid f$&*^* !!! jack @#$%^ !!!
I just spit my coffee all over LoL!!!!


Basically for me, I'm a lazy butt. If I have to add an extra step ... "click" .. then at some point I don't want to click any more so I phase that out. Then I've just doubled my work essentially. Also, being 50 ... I had one hell of a time keeping up with where that danged clicker was. I'll be lucky if I can remember where I put a lead rope most of the time ;)

Am sure this method probably works wonderfully for some folk. Just isn't my thing :)
 
#12 ·
The difference that positive reinforce creates in the horse and his impetus to learn is amazing. Sure you can make a horse do things. But when you put something in it that the horse values, that changes the horses life and subsequently the way the horse looks at learning. I mean, what is in it for the horse to stand quietly? Really think about why he does it. How did he learn how to do it? What do you do if he doesn't do it? Think about what happens when a horse doesn't stand quietly for mounting? Or doesn't do a good upward transition, what do you do? What about a poor downward transition, what do you do? Does the horse get anything out if it? Pretty much, when they are good, we just leave them alone. We are busy correcting the wrongs, not rewarding the correct decisions. This is the basis for traditional and NH. Why not put something in it for your horse. They don't look at food as some sort of game, they are hard wired to seek it for survival. When they acquire it, they remember what they did to get this valuable commodity. This is happening all of the time and it is called operant conditioning. They are constantly trying to seek what they need to survive and how to avoid unpleasant things. Traditional and NH focus on the use of aversives. Applying pressure through reins, bits, legs, seats, ropes, halters, body placement and displacement. All very effective but not necessarily in the horses best interest. It seems like it was the easiest way long ago, before we learned about how animals (and people too) actually learned and processed information. Fortunately for us and our horses, we are getting a lot smarter . People are catching on fast and change is happening in the horse world.
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#16 ·
The first sentence is not correct. A reward is positive reinforcement - something DESIREABLE that is given for a behaviour to strengthen it. Release of pressure is negative reinforcement - something UNDESIREABLE that is removed, to strengthen a behaviour. They are both valid & valuable methods of influencing behaviour(training).

The second statement is your opinion. That's fine too. I do think that saying 'treats make a horse disrespectful' is a bit like saying 'money is the root of all evil'.... money & treats are inanimate objects, albeit strong motivators for different species, but they don't 'make' anything themselves, it's what the human/trainer/employer chooses to do with it & ask for it that can be a problem.
 
#14 ·
I posted a question about clicker training a few days ago because I just started using about 2 weeks ago. i have been using Alexandra Kurland's book "The Click that Teaches." I am very pleased with the results so far. I work with 4 horses and 1 donkey 2 times daily. I try to break it into little 5 minute sessions and each animal gets about 20 minutes of this training a day.

I think the pros are the excitement of my equines. They "ask" to play very politely, and I don't think it is just because of the food. They seem to enjoy the process of figuring out what I want and the feeling of success when they get it. For example, when my nervous mare kept her head down for a full minute, she got a "jackpot" (more, better treats for reward), she honestly seemed so pleased with herself! Also, it helps distract my nervous horse. She can focus on the game when she is nervous about something and calm herself. Her attention is on my request, not on the scary trailer/rope/saddle/fly spray/etc.

Finally, and more importantly, it is teaching me to be a better trainer. I know there are a lot of awesome horse trainers on this forum, but I am still learning to pay attention to the details of what my horse is doing. When I ask for a behavior, I really must watch and pay attention for her responses and then be very mindful of my reactions. I am not always on target myself, but I am improving.

The cons are that the click marks the end of the behavior so using it under saddle has limits. However, I have started using CT under saddle with two of the five and it really helps me reinforce the "YES! That's it!"

Fading is an important concept in any training situation. When you first teach a behavior, you reward every little try, even if it is completely accidental. In fact, it usually is accidental! Just as with NH when you release pressure and praise, with CT you click and treat. But you begin to ask for more as the learner gets more proficient; longer duration, more energy, more creativity, closer to the target behavior (from touch the target to pick up the target). Finally, you just ask for the behavior, the learner performs it, your response is simply to go on to the next task without comment, and your satisfaction is the learner's reward. You have moved to a new behavior to focus on, reward and learn.

Obviously, I do combine CT with other methods, mainly NH. I studied Clinton Anderson's basics and use that a lot. CT has helped me refine the cues. Again, I think it is my horses attention and positive reactions as well as my improved attention to detail that is helping in this. Now I just point at the chest (back), the shoulder(yield fore), the hip (the hind), the rump (forward), and the poll (head down) to get a response. I was working on that with CA and making slow progress but CT allowed us to really advance quickly with this.

Now, the question about avoiding a horse that is pushy for treats is a good one. The first lesson is that when you hear this click sound it is good and you get a reward. The second is that you must stand quietly and calmly to get the treat. You must take the treat carefully. If you seek treats, it only takes longer to get the reward. If you look forward and wait patiently, you will be rewarded. It is the BEST part! My pushy, grumpy KMSH has become a much better citizen using CT. I do not get mugged for treats at all.

And one of my horses has already started accepted my vocal click in place of the clicker in just two weeks.

if anyone is interested in CT, I recommend a good book that takes you step by step. I don't have internet at my house because I live in a remote location, so I don't know if there is enough out there on the web to guide you through it. I go to my book every day and find things I missed the first time.

I have been an educator for 18 years (K-12) and I like finding ways to teach that include the positive as much as possible. I have been saying for years that horses and teenagers have WAY too much in common. Both respond better to a positive approach. That doesn't mean I don't believe in punishment or negative reinforcement. You need to have as many tricks in your tool box as you can.
 
#15 ·
I have been an educator for 18 years (K-12) and I like finding ways to teach that include the positive as much as possible. I have been saying for years that horses and teenagers have WAY too much in common. Both respond better to a positive approach. That doesn't mean I don't believe in punishment or negative reinforcement. You need to have as many tricks in your tool box as you can.
Oh, clicker training teenagers - now THIS would be a revolutionary thing! Actually, get on it, parents would pay heaps to get their problem teenagers sorted :D
 
#19 ·
What is YOUR opinon on clicker training?
I think the *principles* behind c/t are invaluable, no matter what style of training you do. I think c/t is valuable in helping people learn how to be effective and timely with reinforcement. While I don't use a plastic clicker myself, I do find it's helpful to use when teaching people - to the people that is, don't think it's obviously more effective for the animal.

Pros and Cons?
Pros of using positive reinforcement training are that the horse is very motivated and wants to play your games, learn what you want. They enjoy it & have fun.

Once they learn the basic rules, it's reasonably quick to teach new basic commands & pretty straighforward to build on those basics to teach complex stuff. It's a non stressful, non confrontational approach.

Any unique sound can be used as a 'bridging signal'. I personally use the word "Good!!" Anything that the horse desires can be used as a reward/reinforcement. Food treats are a common & strong one.

Cons. If using a plastic clicker(specifics like that aren't necessary though), I think this can be a bit limiting, as I like to have 2 hands free to use with horses, especially when riding. I don't like the sound of a clicker personally either.

If using food treats(again not necessary, but does tend to be the most practical & reliable +R for horses IME), it can be a problem if you leave your bag full of diced carrot around for horses to find:lol:. It can be a problem for other people who don't use +R when their horses prefer your company!:-p

If using solely +R and not using any -R(pressure/release), which some do, I feel it's more time consuming and you've got to teach a whole nother language of cues, rather than conventional seat/leg/rein aids. But I'm not speaking of that from much personal experience(since I first learned & played around with pure shaping & +R). I use a combination approach & not a 'purist' +R trainer.

What experience/have you ever used clicker training. Did you have success?
I've successfully trained dogs, horses, cats, chickens, ducks, geese and a magpie. I've helped 'rehab' fearful & aggressive dogs. I've successfully worked with fearful horses, aggressive and 'rude' horses and I've taught everything from tricks to dressage with these principles.

Can you combine clicker training with other training methods?
Yes. It's basically applied behavioural psychology using positive reinforcement(rewards), so it's not a 'method' as such IMO(altho you'd call using specifics of a plastic clicker a method), and the principles apply to whatever method you wish to use.

Will you ever be able to stop using the clicker and treats or will you always have to click and treat your horse?
c/t is a way of teaching, not long term management & far from making the animal ever reliant on c/t in order to do something, I believe it's vital that clicker & treats are only used reliably when teaching new behaviours, then they're reduced until it's only randomly given, or for extra Good behaviour. If you do keep on keeping on, it actually is less effective and it's hard to build extra/better behaviours on the foundations you've built.

An appropriate analogy may be that we reward/praise a first grade child for spelling her own name, but if we continue getting all excited for every little thing she does like this later in her learning, it would be a bit pointless & depending on how we reward & the level of difficulty of her current stage, it would also inhibit her motivation to try harder, learn more.

How to keep a horse from becoming 'pushy' with the treats?
Teach him & reinforce him for Good manners instead. Be aware of exactly what it is you're reinforcing & be consistant about NEVER reinforcing Rude behaviour. It's not the type of reinforcement you use, it's what you reinforce that strengthens or weakens a behaviour.
 
#24 ·
pros: entirely sound training theory and practice. works.

cons: there's a big divide between "believers" and "non-believers" which has resulted in blatantly wrong claims by people trying to defend what are usually preconceived ideas about it. which adds to peoples misinformation.

i dont do it much because it'd be impractical to carry enough food rewards to last the hours i spend with horses, but in the early days with a new horse i sometimes use food rewards to accelerate learning of the very basics.
 
#25 ·
cons: there's a big divide between "believers" and "non-believers" which has resulted in blatantly wrong claims by people trying to defend what are usually preconceived ideas about it.
Such as you must be a woman??:lol::lol::-p
 
#26 ·
I've never used clicker training with horses. Just with dogs and and a bit with goats lol.

Dogs are not horses and horses are not dogs, But both respond to pressure/release and both respond to food rewards.

Even if the old way is "good enough" trying a new way is a great idea. People naturally want to do what's always worked for them, but it might not be the best way in every situation. So I am thankful for those brave people that are willing to try out the crazy ideas like ct :)

I know I can teach my dog to do way more stuff way faster with a clicker or other marker training than I can with traditional methods. And I know that if used properly, treats fed often can make the animal (dog, horse, goats, sheep) more respectful of your space when there is food around.

But I still use pressure/release training with my dog because sometimes treats just aren't going to work as well. And I will always use it with my horse too.

I have a bag of carrots and the day off... I may have to go try ct with the horses!
 
#27 ·
One thing I do see though is ct having the potential to create some nasty nippy ponies or horses always looking for food if it's done incorrectly and for that reason I wouldn't recommend it to someone that wasn't already a decent trainer. A beginner might click at the wrong time for the wrong things and not recognize if their horse is being direspectful.
 
#44 ·
This is absolutely true, see my previous post about how to avoid this. However, what is also true, is the poorly applied "tradtional" or NHS methods based on negative reinforcement (when applied by both experienced and inexperienced people) can and do lead to:


  • bucking
  • rearing
  • kicking
  • bolting
  • shying
  • biting etc.
The consequences of which can be catastrophic for the human invovled, as well as the horse. Beginnner horse owners/riders, irrespective of the method they are using are at much higher risk of injury than more experienced people (except vets interestingly). A review paper by Hawson et al (2010) found that one of biggest risk factors for death or serious injury amongst horse people was hours of experience. And certainly, the vast majority of these injuries occured with horses who were not clicker trained.

I'd also comment that often people give up on clicker training because they don't have success with it and then they blame the method, rather than the fact that their timing is usually a bit off and they are rewarding the wrong behaviour. Like any learned skill, it takes practice to get better at and when I think back to my early days with it, I was pretty hopeless at it. But then I was also pretty hopeless at riding when I started learning that too.

I am also not saying negative reinforcement is a bad thing, far from it, its unavoidable in horse training and when its done well we get calm, reliable, well trained horses. Its just that, given NR relies on using aversive experiences and their removal to train the horse, why not also use something that the horse genuinely likes (food) as well, where practical.

As to the question about fading it out- I think this misses the point about what happens in NR as well. Surely the ideal should be that our horse responds to the lightest cues and we only ever resort to stronger cues when it doesn't. So we also fade out the stronger cues we use to install responses and hopefully rely on light ones, or cues such as seat/voice etc. This is similar to fading out the food rewards in clicker training.

So far, I haven't had a problem with it and owners of horses I have started have told me that their horse still performs the behaviour (such as standing still to be mounted) years later without a single food reward since. This demonstrates that the behaviour has simply become a habit for the horse and that you are not condemned to carrying around pounds of carrots for the rest of your life :)
 
#30 ·
I think it is busywork for humans, and is a waste of time.

Have I used it, no. Will I ever? NO.

Adds steps to horse handling/training that is simply not necessary.

Had spousal unit that would teach neck reining like so.

Pull rein on one side.

The next week, lay other rein against neck while pull on rein on side turning to.

Next week, lay rein against neck THEN pull rein on side turning to.

Next week, lay, pull, and now add heel pressure.

Next week, lay, pull, heel and calf.

Took months to teach horse what could have been done in one week had the fool ever tried to teach it at once. Moron. And ex spousal unit too.

Horses that I work around in often, can be directed by a simpler voice/hand command. No treats involved, no clicker.

Colossal waste of time, and a money maker for whatever fool came up with it. Just like carrot stick, games, and what have you.
 
#31 ·
Originally Posted by Joe4d
"When you give a horse food, he thinks he just punked you and took it away from you. Yes you can establish dominance and then give treats, but nothing sends a bigger message of leadership to a horse faster than making him wait until you are done eating. ...."

Doesn't a herd leader take the herd to the best places to eat? Aren't the other horses trading obedience to her commands for food as well as safety?
 
#32 ·
Yipes!! This got long! LOL

For the record, I'm a FEMALE ;)

I think what has bothered me most about this conversation is folks assuming those who don't use or like clicker training are obviously using some old time beating horse with a stick method to get their training done.

I don't see any of that in the responses from those who don't use C/T. What I see is folks saying is "why add that step when you don't have to?" Okay you have a little device that makes a funny noise when you push it. Well my own voice can do that. Be it a "kiss" sound, a funny noise ... and one I used to use a lot is a snap of my fingers. Their is tone of voice, posture, mannerisms. All of these things can be used to achieve the very same goal as this added extra device that makes noise.

Some people like that little thing that makes the noise and that's okay and if it works for you that's great! Others, like myself, prefer a different way that doesn't entail another mechanism I have to hold or another step I have to take to get the same end result.

Now I may have been out of horses for a little over 25 years but I do remember MANY things about teaching from the ground up, youngsters to oldsters. Am also very rusty in other areas that I'm sure when hubby and I get our two I will have to relearn and re-remember.

Whatever methods work for an individual work and that shouldn't be ignored new OR old.
 
#34 ·
I think what has bothered me most about this conversation is folks assuming those who don't use or like clicker training are obviously using some old time beating horse with a stick method to get their training done.
Have they?? I haven't seen any of that actually. Please point it out? ...& we'll deal with those in our own way:twisted:

I don't see any of that in the responses from those who don't use C/T. What I see is folks saying is "why add that step when you don't have to?"
While people have certainly said why bother, what bothers me most about the critics are the comments such as if you use clicker training you're wrong, you don't know what you're doing, you're creating a 'disrespectful' horse & food treats are wrong & food treats cause nipping.... or it's a woman thing:-p... yada.

IMO, it's an 'each to his own thing' but what bothers me most is the loudest knockers don't seem to understand what it is they're knocking. I personally was just trying to explain some of the misconceptions.

What I see is folks saying is "why add that step when you don't have to?" Okay you have a little device that makes a funny noise when you push it. Well my own voice can do that. Be it a "kiss" sound, a funny noise ...
Actually I hazard a guess that most of us 'wierdos':-p don't get hung up about a plastic noisemaker & just use our voice or such as a 'marker'.
 
#35 ·
I wish there was a 'maybe' option to this poll. So I didn't vote.

Me personally, if I was going to China and wanted to communicate with the people there, I'd learn Chinese. Same idea with a horse, I think I'd rather speak in his language and mimic how other horses interact.

Can it be useful? Yeah I guess so, but I think l prefer 'horse'.
 
#41 ·
Can it be useful? Yeah I guess so, but I think l prefer 'horse'.
Like the comment about different cues, it's not about replacing a 'language', it's just about being able to *clearly* tell the horse that he earned a reward, marking an instant of a behaviour... of which I don't know that there's an effective 'horse word' for anyway.
 
#39 ·
I noticed that people said that ct training wastes time. And it might be true, but sometimes it's okay to waste time with your horse. Most of us aren't pro trainers and never will be. And spending time out of my busy schedule with my horses... Trying to get them to use their brain in a new and fun way? I don't see that as a waste of time. If you're both having fun and learning it's time very well spent in my book.

It's nice to take a break from routine and try something different. If it works then awesome and if not, well, no harm done.
 
#42 ·
I Love this! You are so right, so long as you're spending time with your horse, the time isn't wasted. This concept is wasted time is about people who have a pile of horses they're being paid to train quickly.

Honestly I read this whole post with great interest! I was very curious about whether it was worth a shot or not. Definitely sounds like something I might want to try - with a twist. I plan on using a smooch or similar vocal cue rather than a clicker - I know I'll never have it with me when I need it. I was also wondering can you use something other than food? My horse has a very, very itchy belly and I've used her itchy belly to get her comfortable with everything she's afraid of including myself at first. I was wondering if I could use the smooch as a bridge to connect belly scratches instead of connecting it to food. She is quite the moose with food, I only ever give her treats when she's completely not expecting it and only just as a surprise cause I love her. But if I give her food the whole rest of the day she's in my pocket nosing around, even though in order to get the food she has to back up 3 steps and wait. But once she's got it she's right back in my space. So I want to avoid food as anything other than a surprise 'i love you'.

Interesting posts everyone!!
 
#46 ·
I could be wrong but I don't think anyone has mentioned that horses are like dogs. Positive reinforcement works for almost any animal. I think its a language they understand; treats=good behavior. When I train I alternate between " what a good boy! " ( rub rub pet pet ) and treats so that they learn to not expect a treat everytime and that my praise is just as good as treats.
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#48 ·
I could be wrong but I don't think anyone has mentioned that horses are like dogs.
How DARE you!!:-p:lol: I don't think it went down too well when a teacher complimented me on my skill with primary kids & I said that's because I'm used to training animals!:-|
 
#47 · (Edited)
i've clicker trained my mini horse, dog and cat. it's a bit misunderstood about the feeding. Yes, in the beginning you feed as soon as the animal does the action you're looking for. as that action is becoming a 100% learned action, the feeding becomes less and less. And there is no need to carry a clicker all the time if you are able to mimic the sound using your tongue.
there is nothing wrong with clicker training and there is nothing wrong with not using it. i found lily responded quicker and seemed more anxious to learn and stay focused. i suspect it depends upon the person/trainer and the horse as to what method works best. I bought Alexandra Kurlands videos, watched them all a couple of times before i began training. speaking just for myself, I couldn't have trained without the video guidance (I also was 63 when I got my first horse) so being old maybe I just needed more visual assistance. best of luck!
 
#50 ·
I do not "recommend" it, but I don't disapprove of it. If it works for you, have at it.. not for me. Clicking noises make me grumpy... repetetive clicking noises make me homicidal.. can't even use one of those wind up clocks.. the tick tock drives me insane.. and don' even get me started on those freaky cat clocks.. oh wait clicker training... use it if you like but please not around me...
 
#51 ·
Clicking noises make me grumpy... repetetive clicking noises make me homicidal..
:lol::lol:Have to agree with you there! That's another reason why I don't use a clicker.
 
#52 ·
I have not needed clicker training. Perhaps if I run into some behavior I need to extinguise and can't, or need a desired movement and can't get it, I'll give clicker training a go. That hasn't happened yet.

That said, I certainly don't care what others use to achieve good results as lond as it is not abusive.

My own daughters rode daily and eventually started experimenting with what you could use to cue a horse with. I remember flyswatters (not for hitting, but for visual cues though they said it was handy for wapping flies off each other), Barbie dolls with the kids using goofy voices (voice cues with a weird twist), an actual carrot on a stick was used on one to cue for the canter.

I would never have someone who's horse is "clicker trained" ride with me, just as I cannot have anyone who is a Parelli follower ride with me. They both are too focused on the process to get anything done.
 
#53 ·
I would never have someone who's horse is "clicker trained" ride with me, just as I cannot have anyone who is a Parelli follower ride with me. They both are too focused on the process to get anything done.
Is that the horse or rider you're talking about? Perhaps you've only ridden with beginner or fanatical c/ters or Parelli-ites. I ride with a range of different people & perhaps I'm just too focussed myself on enjoying my surrounds & some good conversation, but I haven't noticed the Parellis or the c/ters being any more focussed on anything else either. Must admit I haven't ridden with a big group of either of them.... perhaps the pack mentality switches on then!:lol:
 
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