Clicker training a horse to put his head down

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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Sorry I'm still very new to clicker training but I think I'm heading in the right direction?!?

So, I want to clicker train him to put his head down on command as being a shire x it's quite hard to reach him sometimes!! So I've been luring his head down with food and as soon as he starts to put his head down I've clicked and then given him the food that's in my hand. He's been doing it really well and is definately enjoying it.

Towards the end of today's session I started adding head down (with my voice), click, treat as I want him to do it from a voice command. I'll continue with this for a few more sessions but I'm a little unsure how to phase the treats out eventually.

Help pls xx
 
I don't use a clicker, but my highland's trained to do things, initially using bribery. I just find that provided you're clear about what you want - I normally use a hand signal to clarify a voice command - and consistent about rewarding during the initial phase, they pick it up quickly and you can use the treat less as a lure.

So when teaching him to kneel, initially the treat was to guide his head down, bringing his weight onto his lower leg (in the kneeling position). As he learnt what I wanted (about 10 minutes), the treat was waiting for him down there and he had to bring his own head down to find it (rather than follow it down). Now there is no treat at all.

Basically, the more familiar he is with the command, the more I would expect before he gets his treat. So at first you may give a treat for moving his head in the right direction, then after a few repetitions he might not get one until he brings his head down, then you might expect him to keep his head down for increasing lengths of time before he gets a reward. It's a similarish principle with clicker training, I would think.
 
Eventually you'll be able to no longer use the clicker, but you need to make it a really well embedded command before you take it away. Still offer verbal praise etc when he does it right, and also it doesn't hurt to bring the clicker and food back into play at intervals, just to reinforce the lesson. My dog was clicker trained to do a few things, now we no longer always have the clicker and treats, but occasionally I do bring the food back out, just to make sure his interest doesn't start to tail off.

Also yes, you can start to delay the click once he has the action right, so he keeps his head down - build this up slowly, you always need to set him up for success.
 
Thank you, I'm so concerned that I'm doing it wrong. I've got the clicker training horses book and that's a big help but I always learn more by doing things xx
 
i'm training my youngster to put her head down for the bridle. I hold my hands round her head like I would if I was putting the bridle on and when she lowers her head I take them (my hands) away. Simple as that.:cool: It seems to be working - have much less trouble than before.
Rubbing her face with the bridle whilst feeding treats helped with catching her in the field. I stopped the treats as soon as she stopped objecting to the rubbing.
Good luck.
 
I did this with mine - put polo on my hand under the bit when putting bridle on & ask her to drop her head - took about 3 or 4 goes to get the idea, then phased out the polo - she gets one once in a blue moon but now when I pick up the bridle she drops her head almost to my knees before I even get the reins over her head - to the point I tell her she's taing the mick & I'm not THAT short & she will drop her head on command just by asking. but she is a welsh - led by stomach & inherently nosey so this might have made it easier !!
 
I have done this with a clicker with my 15 month old spotty filly.
I have not read any books,but happen to have a clicker for calling cats home........its less embarrassing than shouting 'MERRANGUE!'
Yesterday I decided to clicker train filly to lower her head,as I believe this to be an essential part of horse training.Its useful in so many ways,calming them, stretching the topline,putting bridle on.
I knelt down,clicked as she put her head down to sniff me and gave her a treat. Repeated half a dozen times.
Today, while standing next to her I waited til she was about to lower her head,clicked and treated. By the time we were half way through the carrot she was lowering her head for the treat when she heard the click!
I am well chuffed! Although she was also trying to eat the clicker!
 
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