Interactive, or shutdown?

There are always fors and againsts in most things. Pros and cons.

There are pitfalls to clicker training!!

A bright, happy, interactive horse that is invested in her time spent with you – or a compliant, dull, disinterested horse, that does the minimum to get by? No question?

In traditional training, many horses that are perceived to be ‘well trained’ or ‘well behaved’ are actually shut down. This means that they are often too worried to ‘offer’ behaviour. When they have done so in the past, they have been reprimanded, or discouraged from doing anything other than what is explicitly asked of them, when it is asked. They become unenthusiastic and indifferent to the process, and their main concern is not getting the answer wrong – their goal is avoiding the aversive.

Positive reinforcement (R+) for horses sounds ideal on paper.

Humane, ethical, science based, force free, fear free horse training.

This results in an eager horsey participant. One who enjoys spending time with you and engaging in learning the behaviours you are trying to teach. One who actively participates, happily tries to find the correct answer. These horses have been encouraged to think for themselves, to problem solve, to become an active part of the training process, and not just an automaton.

Horses that have been exposed to force free training have choices. They are invested in, and enjoy, both the process and the outcome, and they try to find the right answer.

Finding the right answer is fun, AND it makes good things happen for horses.

This can mean though, especially if, like me, you have multiple horses and minimal fencing, that they can actually become annoying pests! They seek out your company. They like to spend time with you – often regardless of whether that was your agenda or not!

Currently I cannot take my dogs for a walk around the paddock, nor go alone, without first taking out hay to distract the horses, and keep them occupied.

Otherwise I feel a bit like the Pied Piper, or wish that I had put the behaviour of ‘following me’ on cue – so when I don’t request equine company on my walks, my horses leave me alone!

They are so inquisitive, so interactive, such good company and such fun to do things with, (or just to watch, to spend time with) that I feel guilty for wishing, just occasionally, that they would leave me alone, to go for my walk in peace!

Pic is my ‘rear vision mirror entourage’ from my last walk around the paddock!

Written by Vicki Conroy of the PPGA Equine Sub-Committee