Could clicker training help?

[RubysGold]

Theres a horse in our field, that I often look after when the owner can't get to the yard. In Winter she is so easy to catch because its cold and she wants to be in, but in Summer theres no chance.
She will let you catch her for about a week, and then she'll not let you near for months.
I was wondering if there was any way the clicker could help?
Have tried other ideas but they don't work, she seems to know all the tricks in the book.
You can stroke her and everything, but once she sees the headcollar she's off.
Nickie

 

[doonrocket]

My horse is currently on box rest and I am using clicker training to do basic ground work . It has improved his manners and therfore may improve respect for you. It won't hurt and if it doesn't work it will improve your lateral work.

 

[megwan1]

why not try leaving a headcollar on her so that all u have to do is clip a rope on sneakily whilst stroking her?

 

[Matafleur]

Is she on the clicker already? If she is then I would deffo give it a go. If she know what it means then I would click every time she takes a step toward you and then when she stands to have the headcollar on and so on.

If she doesn't know the clicker then obviously you'll have to spend a couple of sessions putting her on it. I find that by the end of one 5 min session mine usually have a good idea of whats required, then it's just a matter of enforcing.

 

[flowerlady]

Sorry RG this post made me laugh re the clicker as last night you wondered if the clicker would help make your horse wave.

Just made me laugh

If you want to use the clicker do so I would be leaving a headcollar on personally

 

[Booboos]

No harm in trying!

You will need to try this with her as the only horse in the field and ideally (if you have been able to catch her and bring her in) after you have introduced her to the clicker so that she associates the sound with the reward:

go into the field, don't try to catch her, wait for her to do anything in your direction like taking a step towards you or even looking towards you, then click and throw her a treat. It doesn't matter why she looks at you, it could be coincidence, all you want in the behaviour so you can reward it. Behaviour that is rewarded tends to get repeated. Keep clicking and treating for any behaviour towards you like looking, or hopefully taking a step towards you. Do not walk towards her, she needs to decide to come to you for the reward. You don't need the end behaviour (coming to you) at the beginning, but shape it using smaller behaviours (like looking at you, taking a small step towards you, etc.). It will take a few days or possibly longer though so don't expect her to walk right up to you on the first day.

Good luck!

 

[RubysGold]

Thanks everyone. I have tried leaving her headcollar on, it worked really well, but the headcollar rubbed badly, so I won't use it again.
flowerlady: lol, I had a feeling it would make some people lol, I want to use clicker training on my Roo just for a bit of fun, but when I was in field earlier, I just thought maybe it could help Bramble.
Thankyou booboos I will try that
Nickie