Question for those that clicker train

[newbie_nix]

Just wondering what exercises your horse appears to enjoy the most when clicker training?

I bought Alexandra Kurland’s starter pack and have been doing CT for about a fortnight. It’s going great and really helping strengthen my bond with my youngster. It’s amazing how quickly he learns with the clicker.

I have only taught him one ‘trick’ which is ‘fetch’. And he can do this with a variety of different objects (today it was a bright blue flip flop!) By ‘trick’ I mean something that doesn’t particularly have a practical application but is purely for fun.

The rest of the time I use the clicker for other things like standing still, having feet picked out, backing up etc . Although he is happy doing the other stuff I have noticed that he absolutely LOVES playing fetch so I tend to use this as a reward for doing well at the other, more practical activities. But now he has got that nailed I am wondering what to teach him next. Don’t want him to be a ‘one trick pony’ ha ha...

I still want to keep the majority of what I do practical stuff but it would be nice to have a few more tricks mixed in to keep him interested.

I know it shouldn't matter whether he is taught a 'trick' or a regular activity, the end result should be the same but I think its because I was already training him to pick up feet, back up etc, he knew the commands, CT was just reinforcing it. Whereas with fetch it was completely new, like nothing I had ever asked of him before and really got him thinking. The light bulb moment he had with fetch was brilliant to watch and he still gets really excited when he gets it right and gets his little bit of carrot bless him!

So tell me, what ‘trick’ does your clicker trained horse enjoy the most?

 

[newbie_nix]

just to add, the reason I like 'fetch' is it involves a prop that is only used in clicker training. I know some people teach their horses to 'shake hands' and spin around etc however I don't want to train tricks like this in case he gets confused and tries it when I am not asking him - could be annoying and/or dangerous.

Soooo.....any more bright ideas for appropriate tricks?! Preferably simple prop based ones? I am in need of inspiration....

 

[RubysGold]

I have only just started clicker training my two. At the moment they are just touching a target for their reward, fetch sounds like a fun thing to teach, ill have to try that.

 

[newbie_nix]

It is fun! we gradually went from touch to fetch by starting off as you are, but then putting target on floor. Click when they touch it first couple times then delay the click , mine started playing with it on the floor waiting for the click.

As soon as he accidentally picked it up with his lips (just for a milli second) he got a click. He soon learnt that he got the click for picking it up (and I then added the words 'pick it up' to reinforce) and then I got him to give it to me by practicing pick it up and then clicking when he had it in his mouth and 'accidentally' brushed my hand with it (I deliberately left my hand closeby) and then gradually moved on to him dropping it in my hand. Then once the give was established I simply moved further away. I think the toughest thing about CT is planning the baby steps in advance - gets me thinking as well figuring out how to get from A to B!

Good luck with your training too, let me know what moves you end up doing!

 

[RubysGold]

Thanks
out of curiosity what target do you play fetch with. Mine are currently just doing it with a lid off a supplement container, which i don't want them picking up as the plastic Will snap and could hurt them.

 

[newbie_nix]

Thanks
out of curiosity what target do you play fetch with. Mine are currently just doing it with a lid off a supplement container, which i don't want them picking up as the plastic Will snap and could hurt them.

I am still experimenting with various targets. Lots of people suggest to target a cone but I am going to be introducing him to cones etc in the school at some point so to avoid any future confusion I decided to go for something a bit more random.

I happened to spot a pair of cheap, bright green toy boxing gloves in a shop so I started off using one of those. Worked out really well to start with but he did have a moment when learning fetch when instead of picking it up cleanly he would rub on floor and one time he decided to play tug of war instead of giving and the glove started ripping.

I then moved on to a yellow face flannel. I bought a whole pile of them dirt cheap for cleaning stuff with and one of those worked well to start - looked so funny when he 'fetched' and came back waving this bright yellow thing! However he managed to accidentally stand on it (whilst picking up) and ripped it a bit! He can be a bit of a clutz/thug at times. Whatever I use I make sure it doesn't have any sharp edges, of a material and shape he can get his mouth around but large enough that he can't swallow and I don't leave him unattended with it for a second. After the rip, I was worried about the flannel disintegrating and him accidentally swallowing fibres so I have retired this target as well

So now we are on to the flip flop which he finds harder to pick up if it flips upside down but that just adds to the challenge. He is quite happy flipping between targets now. I just get him to do a simple touch on it and then he goes straight to fetch.

I have ordered one of these.....not cheap but thought it might be fun..... if you scroll right down page, it is the small 'spiky' Catch ball http://www.naturalhorsetalk.com/horsetoys.html

 

[canteron]

Hi Newbie-nix. I love this thread. I think clicker training is amazing for teaching us how horses learn. I found it really helped with my timing and making sure I praised the good things - not the bad.

Also, whenever people want suggestions about what to do with a horse on box rest, I always think CT is such a great thing as it mentally tires and relaxed the horse.

I am not confident enough to do anything too practical with my CT but you have inspired me to do some more with my new horse in the dull winter months when I can't ride.

Sorry, not the answer you were looking for, but a lovely inspiring post!

 

[newbie_nix]

Aw thanks canteron You are right it really relaxes them doesn't it. And as you say, a great way to get them 'working' at times when they are perhaps not able to be ridden.

Its summer here (NZ) but I also decided to try clicker training to give us something else to do as I am also limited in how much I can do with him at the moment.

I am new to horse ownership and want to take it really slowly with my boy. I only got him a few months ago, he is only 3 was started off very young. Broken at 2!!! I know - very young indeed to be broken in.....he is 1/2 quarterhorse, they sometimes break them young over here, not saying I agree with this though.... He is a cruisey type but due to his age (or lack of it!) can be a bit sensitive at times.

The original advice of the guy we bought him from was to 'ride him hard and show him who is boss' but although I agree with the boss bit I have decided to take a step back and do more stuff on the ground and not rush him when it comes to actual riding.

Riding sessions started off very short and light - only walk and trot despite the fact the has been taught to canter but I want him to grow a bit more. I am waiting for a new saddle (and new instructor!) and not actually riding at all right now so clicker training has given us something fun to do after lunge sessions / walking out in hand etc.

I love the way our relationship is developing. He is very enthusiastic about our sessions - ok so that's possibly down to the carrot bits (I am not deluding myself here LOL) but what ever the reason its great to see a relaxed happy horse. I am really enjoying having fun with him and giving him the freedom to express himself whilst still listening to me. It also gives us a great way to end on a really positive note every day.

 

[newbie_nix]

Also, I have decided on our next trick.... I might teach him to put his toys away at the end of the session in a big green gorilla tub. Will let you know how that goes.........

However if anyone else has any fun ideas do let me know

 

[tazzle]

bursting balloons

 

[NativePonyLover]

That is awesome. I started with clicker training to help with handling feet - which he was shocking with! Ive only really progressed to target training and with moving yards and being mega busy I haven't done much, will have to get my clicker out again and teach him to fetch and tidy up after himself!

 

[newbie_nix]

bursting balloons

OMG that is amazing!!!

 

[Borderreiver]

Ah Tazzle is a great clicker trainer!
My lot have been playing 'nose ball' with a big purple gym ball and get very enthusiastic about that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vqj...xt=C3d530dfUDOEgsToPDskLD1n34m7ejP0MuZZGhDVtQ

 

[tazzle]

thank you borderreiver * blushes

our latest ( think you have seen it before)... well some might define it as a trick but like all "tricks" there is always something practical it will link to (loading will probably be a doddle if the horse will do this )

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/tazzle22/?action=view&current=clipoftunnel.mp4


another "useful" one is to ask horse to target parts of its body to your hand ..... Taz will put her back to my fist .... handy if I am sitting on a fence wanting to clamber on board