Treats?

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Cathy18

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I have a new horse who is 8 going on 4.

I've been reading young horse training books an spoken to people who are suggesting treats as positive reinforcement. It sounds logical but I dint want to start bad habits or feed him crap.

Any suggestions?
 
I would really recommend Clicker training. "Treats" are used in conjunction with a click to confirm horse has performed required behaviour. It is positive reinforcement training. They are not administered "willy nilly" and you will learn to teach horse how not to mug you. You can use treats with different values i.e pieces of celery, low value pony nuts, high value nuggets.

I have not explained it very well but I'm still in early stages with my (17 yr old) horse however she has gone from "I will flatten you if you try to worm me" to "yum yum wormer" ! I also have a very experienced YO to help but I recommend you look up Alexandra Kurland and Hannah Dawson. I've spent too many years using other methods and we have a long way to go to undo these years but with clicker training I'm really understanding her much better.

It's fun and I honestly believe that after all these years my bond with her is stronger using CT.

x
 
I don't use treats at all. My horses love a gentle rub on the head or around the ears, that morphs into a stroke or rub on the neck when I'm riding and a voice re-inforcement.

I can take it anywhere, and use it in any situation and there is nothing to remember to take with me. It means I can train leading from the paddock or out on a hack.

It really doesn't need to be a food reward.
 
I use what you call treats all the time! But here they are rewards. No such thing as a free lunch! The reward is given to encourage a behaviour and when that is established, the edible reward is gradually substituted with something else, e.g. a scratch. Mugging is discouraged by the mugger getting a response that is unwelcome. The advantage of a treat is that it can be given immediately and is convenient.

Example: My foals are encouraged to approach for a slice of carrot. When they will do that, they only get the carrot when I can put a hand on them. As they become bolder, I handle them more and more. If they start nibbling at my clothes (for example), they may get a poke in the nose with a finger! Gradually, the stroking and scratching will be substituted for the carrot, but it is always there if needed. Hence my recent thread expressing concern when a filly decided she didn't like carrots! (She does now).

Many years ago I was watching animal acts at a circus. I was impressed with what the handler was able to do with acts including the big cats and horses. I also noticed that rewards were handed out on a regular basis. Whatever one thinks of performing animals and circuses, some do produce spectacular results. There is a big difference between rewards and treats.

I've heard good things about clicker training which is I think what we do here -- but without the clicker!:)
 
I use treat as part of clicker training.

My Haflinger is a sensitive soul and has been through a lot before I got him. Clicker training and treats work beautifully for us both. Treat wise, I either use sugar free polos (mounting training) or for anything else, like being good for the farrier or vet, I treat with pony nuts as they are small and fit easily in a pocket.

I dont think there is any problme giving treats as a reward. The problems come when treats are just given out willy nilly. My pony doesnt bite or nip, even when he knows the treats are in my pocket. He is fully aware he only gets them when he is stood still and behaving :)
 
I think the general answer is only if done correctly!
He's only on grass and hay at the moment so I would need to buy a treat. Any suggestions of ones that are packed with sugar & bad stuff?
 
Cathy18 said:
I think the general answer is only if done correctly!
He's only on grass and hay at the moment so I would need to buy a treat. Any suggestions of ones that are packed with sugar & bad stuff?
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with carrots! I slice them lengthways. I've two foals that come up for them. One is still cautious but let's me put a hand on him at the same time he gets his reward. The other now gets a scratch and the occasional carrot slice reward. She does not nip or mug because she only gets one when I say, not when she asks!

I also have a 8yo brood mare who got a bit head shy for some reason and she gets occasional carrot slices. My aim is to wean them off the carrot and only give it as an occasional reward. If you want an explanation, try Googling "intermittent reinforcement". It's a bit like fishing. If you caught a fish at each cast, it would be boring. If you never caught one, that would be boring too. Some of us fish because occasionally we catch one! Shops have "special offers", discounts, and sales for the same reason.
 
Dry Rot said:
There's nothing wrong with carrots! I slice them lengthways. I've two foals that come up for them. One is still cautious but let's me put a hand on him at the same time he gets his reward. The other now gets a scratch and the occasional carrot slice reward. She does not nip or mug because she only gets one when I say, not when she asks!

I also have a 8yo brood mare who got a bit head shy for some reason and she gets occasional carrot slices. My aim is to wean them off the carrot and only give it as an occasional reward. If you want an explanation, try Googling "intermittent reinforcement". It's a bit like fishing. If you caught a fish at each cast, it would be boring. If you never caught one, that would be boring too. Some of us fish because occasionally we catch one! Shops have "special offers", discounts, and sales for the same reason.
Click to expand...


Good advice, thanks
 
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