When you master the Key Lessons it is time to move onto the next stage and train more complex behaviours or change equine emotions in training
Sometimes previous training benefits you in situations you never could have expected. So can trick training. Many tricks may seem useless when you train them, however they can benefit you in surprising ways. Here are some examples.
5 Benefits of Trick Training in daily life Read More »
Mat training is one of my key lessons in positive reinforcement training. It is a very versatile exercise and a good base for more advanced exercises. Standing on a mat Standing on a simple puzzle mat is a fun exercise to teach your horse. The goal is simple: the horse has to stand with his two
How Mat Training Paid Off Read More »
How do you start positive reinforcement training with a horse that is already trained with negative reinforcement (traditional or natural horsemanship training)? Start with a \’clean slate\’ I would suggest start with some exercises that are totally new to the horse. Choose exercises (and cues) the horse doesn\’t know yet. You should make sure it is a new
Clicker Training: How to start with a horse that is traditionally trained? Read More »
In a variable ratio schedule a desired behaviour (once it is established and put on cue) will be reinforced randomly. There is no way the horse can predict when he can expect a reward, so this will keep him motivated to perform well. Benefits of a variable reinforcement schedule With a variable ratio schedule it will take a
Most powerful reward schedule: Variable ratio Read More »
Whenever an idea forms about what I want to teach my horse Kyra I set it as a goal. I then start writing a training plan and make a shaping plan to achieve this goal. Goal setting My goal in this example is teaching Kyra to stand still, next to a mounting block, until I mounted and give the
How to teach your horse anything Read More »
Teach your horse to stop grazing or ignore grass when you lead him
\’Grass Training\’: Teach Your Horse to Stop Grazing Read More »
Recently I have received the same question from several people. Why do you need a clicker when you could just use your voice as a bridging signal? What are the advantages of a clicker? Why a bridging signal is needed If you want to reinforce certain behaviour one has to reward the horse at the
Bridges, powerful tools in horse training Read More »
There is one very effective way to change all horses that are stubborn, dominant, don\’t listen, know what to do, but refuse to obey, know their job but don\’t do it, are a wuss or are playing us. One solution What? One solution for so many bad behaviours? Yes! It is simple too. Change your attitude about the
How to change \’bad behaviour\’ in horses quickly Read More »
In part 1 of this trilogy I talked about how my vision and use of \’timing\’ and taking emotions into consideration changed the way I train. In part 2 I mentioned how I changed the way I use rewards now. There is another tool I now use completely different. It is my training journal. Before my reward-based
New Uses for \’Old\’ Tools in Clicker Training, part III Read More »
When I started clicker training I had no clue that there was a whole science behind the use of rewards. I only knew about one primary reward: treats. I didn\’t know anything about \’primary\’ and \’secondary\’ rewards, how to use high and low value rewards to my advantage. Neither did I know about \’chaining\’ behaviours, I learned
New uses for \’Old\’ Tools in Clicker Training , part II Read More »
