Okay, far as that treat, after the horse is haltered, I don;t use treats to catch a horse, but reward that horse after he walks up to me, and is easy to halter. Being haltered, then becomes a positive thing, to the point my horses often try to beat each other to sticking their head in that halter,esp in winter.
Far as that 'good boy, or good girl, or scratch on the withers, I darn well know about timing, and see it used incorrectly all the time
For instance, after a class is over, and the horses are standing in a line up, and the a rider has a favorable placing announced, he will exit that arena, while patting his horse. The horse has no idea as to why he is having that positive feedback, and can connect it to the wrong thing-leaving that arena
The time to have given that horse apositive feedback, was the moment the horse completed that pattern, irregardless of placing, if he gave you an honest and good ride.
I am not un aware of timing, although I do use it more with pressure and release
I have read enough about clicker training, that I think you sell me short, far as not understanding it
Yes, at first the click is given, with that food reward, as soon as the horse gives a correct response. Over time, the click alone is used at times, to let the horse know he responded correctly, and the food reward becomes random.
I just have never had a use for it, and not saying there is none,e sp working with an abused horses, or teaching liberty work, where obviously, you are not going to give either a leg or rein release
Perhaps then, on my horses, that have neither a history of abuse, or of being spoiled, I do use mainly pressure and release, thus classified as R-BUT my horses are happy, loved, work well, are bonded to me like any horse trained with R+ empathize, using empathy, feeling, timing , fairness, and , these factors have served those fathers of NH just fine!
The fact remains, that horses, as a herd species, seek and desire clear and fair leadership. The language of Equus, does snot involve treating fellow herd members, but rather is a language based on body language and herd order
That very language, is based on pressure and release, with that pressure only needing be be asserted strongly once, and then body language so subtle, it is hardly noticed, is used after that. Alead mare , only has to flick an ear, give a look .
Horses also don't hold grudges. Ever see a dominant horse put another horse in his place, then moments later, they are grazing side by side?
In fact, tell me as to how, or what I missed by not using clicker training?
My horses certainly are bonded to me. Even when Einstein or now Charlie were grazing on good pasture, if I called their name, walked up to me, they always greeted me with a nicker
I am not going to be repetitive, by giving examples of trust and love I have shared with my horses, nor the bond I have enjoyed, to the point of loosing a special horse, was like loosing a family member
Please tell me what I am missing??
If I can acknowledge that clicker training has application at times, esp with abused horses, can you not also acknowledge that not using it, creates just as happy horses that become lifetime friends and companions, enjoying what you do together, with neither stress or aversion?????
I am sure Tom Dorrance, and others, never sat and agonized whether some interaction with their horses was either R+ or R-, but just used horse sense, taking into account as to what a horse is, then using empathy, timing, fairness and clear leadership, which builds trust
