Equine Clicker Training, reward-based training, ethical training, treat training, positive horsemanship
Often when I watch people ride I see struggle. I see a lot of frustration and it seems so difficult to learn how to ride. Truth is, that it’s partially in the way riding is taught, but it doesn’t have to be like that. Riding and learning to ride can be relatively easy and effortless if […]
The 5 Essentials of Good Riding lessons (5/5) Read More »
Often when IÂ watch people ride I see struggle. I see a lot of frustration and it seems so difficult to learn how to ride. Truth is, that is is in the way riding is taught (in general), but it doesn\’t have to be like this. Riding and learning to ride can be relatively easy and
The 5 Essentials of Good Riding lessons (3/5) Read More »
In another post I explained the power of a variable reward schedule and how to use it into your advantage. A variable ratio schedule is the most powerful reward schedule because it takes the longest for a behaviour to become extinct. How can you use this information in re-training undesired behaviour? \’Extinction\’ of behaviour Extinction means that
Tips to re-train undesired behaviour in horses 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 »
When things are going smoothly we tend to go on for too long or do too many repetitions of the same exercise. While we are still having fun showing off our horse\’s newest trick, the horse gets bored…
Setting yourself up for Success: Reward schedule Read More »
Horses learn in a certain context. Each change in the context of training your horse should be considered as a new criterion. Use this to set yourself and your horse up for success. What is a \’context shift\’? If you want to teach your horse something new, like targeting, practise this in the beginning always in the
Setting your horse up for success: context shift Read More »
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make in horse training is that they don\’t set their horse (or themselves) up for success. Once you know some basics about horse training, setting it up for succes becomes easier. A common mistake is not visualizing what the goal is and planning how to communicate it to your horse.
Setting your horse up for success: splitting behaviour 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 »
This is a challenge a lot of clicker trainers face. You start making adjustments in your training when you start using positive reinforcement and it works… Then you suddenly find yourself in a traditional/natural horsemanship or other negative reinforcement or pressure-release situation figuring out how to apply positive reinforcement. How do you apply positive reinforcement methods
Create +R solutions in a -R environment 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 »
