Clicker training

RubysGold

RubysGold

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I just read the 'pick your feet up' post and people suggested clicker training.
I'd quite like to do some clicker training or some other fun training. But my horse is very easy to do, so what can I teach her?
Obviously I don't want to teach anything that could become a problem.
Nickie
 
Moving away from a stimulus is a useful one for a horse who is otherwise easy to do and it's the first thing I clicker trained my horse to do. If I point at her chest she steps back, if I advance she steps back for as long as I keep walking; if I point at her quarters she swings them away and turns to face me, if I continue we can go around in circles or instantly change direction.

Sounds a tad pointless until you realise you can get off the horse to open a gate, have them step back, around and through and then turn to face you again as you close it, all just from hand or voice cues. It also fosters a respect for personal space, which was invaluable as my horse is a saint but has a tendency to become demanding around food - now I can put down a food bowl, stand in front of it and not be barged out of the way!
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That website is fantastic, and I'm going to buy the book as I haven't got a clue how to start.
blackcob: that does sound useful, can you tell me how you did that? When I read that I thought 'hmm maybe I could do similar to teach her to turn on the forehand as she just throws a paddy when I ask'
Nickie
 
[ QUOTE ]

hmm maybe I could do similar to teach her to turn on the forehand as she just throws a paddy when I ask'
Nickie

[/ QUOTE ]

Scuse my waffling explanation but yes it's basically a turn on the forehand.
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Does she already move back when asked? Most horses will take a step back if you push them on the chest, and it's just a case of clicking and rewarding when they step back. They quickly learn to anticipate what you're doing and interpret your body language, so once the step back is established they soon know to move back if you move into their space. This in turn translates to moving over/away from you; we can do a passable shoulder in and half pass now using this principle.
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Eventually I hope to teach her to associate voice cues with some of these movements to help in ridden schooling.
 
I wouldn't worry about the book, the basic principle is that you buy a cheap dog clicker from your local pet shop and use the clicker to "mark" the correct behaviour at the point at which they do it. You then reward with a SMALL treat. I say small because you are going to use quite alot of treats in one training session. I usually use diced carrot or apple, just enough to give them a taste and wanting more.

The first stage is often to target train them so they understand the principle of the clicker. Stand outside the stable with the door closed in case the horse is bargy for treats. Hold out something interesting, I use the lid of a supplement tub and when they sniff it click and then treat. Move the lid further and further away and try all different angles so they understand what is getting the treats. Once you've established the principle try it inside the stable, D will happily chase a lid across the stable if I throw it into the corner as she's so keen to get the treat.

Once you'e established the basic principle that the clicker marks the desired behaviour and that mugging for treats does not get results then you can start teaching other things.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't worry about the book, the basic principle is that you buy a cheap dog clicker from your local pet shop and use the clicker to "mark" the correct behaviour at the point at which they do it. You then reward with a SMALL treat. I say small because you are going to use quite alot of treats in one training session. I usually use diced carrot or apple, just enough to give them a taste and wanting more.

The first stage is often to target train them so they understand the principle of the clicker. Stand outside the stable with the door closed in case the horse is bargy for treats. Hold out something interesting, I use the lid of a supplement tub and when they sniff it click and then treat. Move the lid further and further away and try all different angles so they understand what is getting the treats. Once you've established the principle try it inside the stable, D will happily chase a lid across the stable if I throw it into the corner as she's so keen to get the treat.

Once you'e established the basic principle that the clicker marks the desired behaviour and that mugging for treats does not get results then you can start teaching other things.

[/ QUOTE ]

This. But you must click at the very instant the horse does the correct thing, ie touches the target. Also, make sure you click first THEN reach for the treat, it doesn't matter if they have to wait a moment after the click, it's not a question of : click, stuff treat in as soon as possible. The sound of the click tells them the treat is coming. If you take the treat out and hold it in your hand BEFORE you ask for a behaviour, the horse will learn to recognise the motion of hand going to pocket and then won't concentrate on what you are asking. I keep my treats in a 'bumbag' around my waist and FB wouldn't dream of mugging me for them! Anyway, one of the first things I taught him was to walk backwards if I wiggled my fingers at his chest, so I just do that if he tries to get too close!

I once taught a previously beaten pony to virtually put his own bridle on with clicker training.
 
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