When I see the way horses are often educated, I wonder how they learn anything at all.

A common example is when trying to load a horse onto a float.

One bit of advice that’s regularly shared is to make it ‘easier’ to be near the float and much harder to be away from it. This is achieved by applying an aversive for any activity that’s moving away from the float. A common suggestion is to tap with a whip, or to attach a rope, and loop it around the back end of the horse.

Horses are labelled as ‘stubborn’ for not loading. So immediately, the owner's frame of mind is set that the horse knows what the correct action is, and is deliberately choosing not to perform that action, just for the sake of it.

In this circumstance, most horses will be displaying some level of behaviour to indicate that they’re scared.

They’ll toss their head, snort, nostrils wide and eyes like saucers as the owner leads them towards an enclosed space that moves and creaks and provides no escape. When the owner continues to pull them forwards, the horse will often try backing up.

Enter, the aversive.

Either a consistently tapping whip on their flank or rump. Or a rope tightening around their hindquarters.

If they continue going backwards, the pressure escalates. The only relief (NOT reward) is when they step forwards. (Negative Reinforcement)

With a frustrated handler – the tapping can escalate to big ‘smacks’ (Positive Punishment)

What have they learnt here? Backwards isn’t an option. Their body language, one of the only tools of communication they have, isn’t being listened to. Their worry about the float hasn't changed at all. If anything, the fear has risen as they continue to have no choice in the matter.

Now consider training it with positive reinforcement.

Depending on what the starting point is for your horse, you’ll likely want to utilise some classical conditioning and desensitisation throughout this process.

Depending on how much training you’ve done before, it can be helpful to get your horse comfortable with a number of different elements before even approaching the float.

Things like uneven surfaces, walking up and down ramps, reversing off ramps, walking through and stopping in tight spaces, etc.

In this scenario we’ll keep it simple. The horse has no previous history with floats and is familiar with a clicker. Over multiple short sessions you can click and treat for any interest or interaction with the float.

The float will be open, with no middle barrier and often with the front door secured open to allow light and air in freely, but to prevent it banging suddenly. You can move on to clicking and treating for investigating and standing on the ramp.

Throughout this process it’s good to keep sessions short and keep a close eye on your horse's body language. Always aim to stop before the horse is showing any signs of being uncomfortable or worried. You don’t want to coerce your horse into coming too far onto the float before they’re comfortable doing so.

In this second scenario (R+) you’re accomplishing several things. Your horse is calm and should understand what you’re asking for, you’re building a positive association with you and the float, and it won’t be a stressful experience for either of you.

Now think back to the most common advice to horse owners - apply escalating aversives, and force them into compliance. Give your horse no other safe option. Disregard their body language, no matter how clearly they’re telling you that they are scared and uncomfortable.

I’ve done both. But I’m never doing one of them again.

Written By Madi Holmes & the PPGA Equine Sub-Committee

* For safety reasons, only float train while a car is attached to the float.