Clicker coaching for horses depends on the idea of optimistic reinforcement. This methodology includes giving the horse one thing it enjoys – sometimes a deal with or a scratch – after it performs a particular motion, rising the possibilities that the specified behaviour will likely be repeated. Learn how to clicker prepare a horse requires nice timing, and some necessary bits of equipment. It’s finest to have knowledgeable assist set you on the appropriate path, as – in accordance with knowledgeable Lucy Chester – it’s “one of many hardest coaching strategies to do properly initially”.
Lucy prescribes two workout routines for beginning clicker coaching.
Learn how to clicker prepare a horse – the fundamentals
1. Instructing a horse the that means of the clicker
A clicker, as used for canines in addition to horses. Credit score: Alamy
You have to:
Empty bowl
Clicker
Dampened chaff or low-value reinforcers, similar to haycobs, pressed hay or meadow grass
Various feed supply (similar to haynet inside attain) so you aren’t the one supply of meals
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Set-up
Decide a quiet place the place the horse is relaxed.
Both work behind protected contact – a barrier similar to a fence or a secure door – or tie your horse up with a haynet, if they’re pleased to be tied. Attempt to keep a brief distance away so they can not attain you to snuffle your pockets.
Shaping plan
Click on and put a handful of chaff or a number of hay pellets into the bucket.
Earlier than the horse finishes the meals, click on and add extra. This teaches them that the clicking comes earlier than the meals.
Repeat till their consuming price slows down. They’ll make the connection between the clicking and the reward in a short time (classical conditioning).
After about 10 repetitions, give an additional large handful to the meals, then retreat and permit the horse to complete consuming. It will stop you from transferring into the unfavorable punishment coaching quadrant (by taking the meals away).
As soon as the horse understands that the clicking is adopted by the arrival of a low-value meals reward within the bucket, you may transfer on to the subsequent process.
2. Instructing a horse to the touch a cone
Coaching cones can be utilized for clicker coaching – blue and yellow are advisable as they’re best for the horse to see. Credit score: Alamy
You have to:
All the pieces listed above, plus a cone or different marker.
Set-up
As above
Shaping plan
Maintain a cone (or different marker) up on your horse to the touch with their nostril. Horses are naturally curious so normally will but when they don’t, you may put it on the ground and even reward them for it to start with. Then click on and put a number of haycobs within the bucket. Utilizing a yellow or blue cone (or different marker) will assist as horses have dichromatic imaginative and prescient; they see clearly shades of yellow and blue.
Repeat three to 5 instances, then add a handful of meals into the bowl and step away to offer the horse a break. It’s necessary with optimistic reinforcement to not use unfavorable punishment by chance by taking meals away from the horse.
When the horse understands to the touch the cone, you may add the voice cue “contact”, then solely reward (click on, then feed) when you’ve got given the horse the cue (stimulus management).
Attempt to keep away from frustration, be clear together with your asks and embody breaks if you put meals within the bowl, then retreat. Be sure you do that if you end coaching too.
Lucy provides: “These are my two basis workout routines earlier than educating horses tips on how to take meals from my hand, first with the barrier, then with out.
“You’ll be able to keep away from unfavorable punishment and frustration by all the time leaving the horse with meals earlier than you permit.
“As soon as the horse understands what the clicker means and tips on how to be calm round meals, the sky is the restrict!”
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Credit score: Alamy Inventory Photograph
Credit score: Lucy Merrell
Credit score: Alamy Inventory Photograph
Credit score: Philip Barker
H&H information editor
Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, by which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by to worldwide championships.
