Discover Horse Clicker Training | Horses

By HeidiEdris
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Clicker training which originally came from the scientific term operant conditioning, is a slang name. It was originally used to train aquatic mammals, has continuously becoming more distinguished in training horses with its positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement is given when the action that the trainer wants the animal to repeat is done properly. The concept of operant conditioning in psychology is where an animal learns a particular behavior or a task where reward is given for accomplished action. However, for the undesirable behavior or actions done by the animal aren't rewarded and ignored. Therefore by giving rewards for getting things right make these horses more excited and fast in their learning.

When you are using clicker training you still can complement it with other training methods, that is one of the reasons why it is such a great tool to use. There is no fancy tools, except must get a clicker, some treats, and a container for the rewards. Once you have got the hang of it, your horse is going to be following your orders now. There are no specific rules to use when using the clicker training. However, the article given below will guide you on how to use this method to your benefit and save a lot of your time.

Condition it with the sound of the 'click.'

Firstly, try to click your clicker for several times and then reward it with a treat every time your horse hears the sound. Why we are doing this? This is a process to let it know that the sound 'click' means that a reward is coming. Repeat the sequence of clicking followed by treating Later after about every 10-15 minutes. Some horses can easily get accustomed to the clicker training after three sequences, but some horses may need more sessions.

Pushing your horse too hard should be avoided

It is important to consider that every horse differs in its readiness and ability to learn new tricks. It will be more effective to train for more than 10-15 minutes. Try to uphold short sessions broken into several days than having a long one in a day.

A target should be used

Use a target for it to aim. Let this be the first task that it needs to accomplish when applying positive reinforcement. For example you can hang a plastic bottle and ask it to bump it using its head and reward it every time it does the right thing.

Nothing is more important than the right timing in clicker training. If the horse successfully bumps the target, click each time and then give it the reward it deserved. You have to repeat this process until the behavior is reinforced.

Go on to the next step

After it has learned to bump the target, move on to the next level. Then, guide your horse to pursue the target then head bob it before you give it a reward. This is some sort like a revision to test your previous training and will tell whether you have properly conditioned your horse to respond to the 'click.' Each session should be conducted in short periods and you have to be patient. Not all horses will learn in the same manner, you need to remember that.

As soon as you have completed this basic clicker training for it, you may proceed to more advance training. You can employ this method to compliment your other trainings to make it easier for you to teach and your horse to learn.

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