THE HORSE GAZETTE
training
imagine a horse
Using treats as a tool
By Suzanne De Laurentis and Allen Pogue, Imagine A Horse © 2009
you may vary the rewards. He
With over $39 billion
from traditional ranching and Carrots and apples fed Variable reward
When teaching (from
will get to the point that he will
spent annually in pet products
hunting and many horses are in a bucket or by hand should be system
the ground) a particular move
not need a treat every single
in the US it is a pretty safe bet
bred specifically for these work cut into small chunks. Our Using treats to en-
or even trick you will position
time he does something cor-
that most horse owners are also
categories. In many classes of veterinarian told us that horses hance two-way communica-
the horse in the same exact spot
rectly but he will need at least
dog owners. Good manners are
working horses such as cutting that choke on large chunks or tion skills
(initially) each and every time
essential for the family dog and
horses and race horses, the even whole carrots is a com-
that you train for this particular
the praise word and a stroke on
the neck (variable reward).
proper training to mold a family
work or sport that they are bred mon emergency seen in the Some things to think about-
response. This is setting him up
Most horses will re-
dog into a trusted companion
and trained for is a fulfilling clinic. Commercial horse treats • Wear gloves
for an expectation or anticipa-
spond appropriately and even
is big business. Television pro-
and adequate reward in itself. such as those made by Start to • Only feed other
tion that this is the place that
eagerly within the framework
grams such as The Dog Whis-
Most traditional Finish are economical to use, peoples horses with permis-
you will be asking him for
that the handler establishes.
perer and it’s me or the Dog
equine training utilizes release are bite size and come in great sion
a specific response; you are
Occasionally a horse may be
offer animal lover’s practical
of pressure as an adequate flavors. You can even experi- • Don’t feed or carry
establishing an understandable
overly stimulated by food
guidance as well as entertain-
reward for the horse. In creat- ment to find what your horse’s treats when entering a group of
routine. Ask (cue) him for the
treats, may have a hard time
ment value. Animal training
ing what we call the Ultimate favorite flavors are. Small bites horses
response that you desire and
controlling himself or be just
is big business and has been
Companion Horse and in Trick are most effective in training. If • Always use a des-
give him adequate time to
plain pushy. If this happens, the
given much study and involves
Training we concentrate on treats are large and require lots ignated pouch or method of
respond. When he gives the
handler must not be intimidated
a good measure of science
shaping behaviors in an indi- of chewing, most horses will carrying treats other than your
desired response or at least a
by the horse, but adhere to the
as well as artistic flair. Those
vidual horse with emphasis have forgotten what it was they pockets
good attempt tell him “good”,
established routine. If the horse
who have studied the science
on having fun AND increas- did to earn it. • You are the one
“yes” or whatever praise word
really pushy he may need cor-
of animal training, especially
ing brainpower for the horse Treats are to a horse to decide when the horse gets
you have decided on, pause
rection to help him understand
canine training are familiar
and not so much emphasis on what getting a paycheck is to a a reward-if he decides it is
just a second and then use your
that he is to be obedient and
with terms such as conditioned
his horsepower. Release of human. Use them as a reward intimidation!
treat word or cue and (we use
NOT mug. In this situation it
stimulus and response, oper-
pressure in this context is not not as a bribe. Getting a reward • Decide before each
“cookie time”) then immedi-
is almost never effective to
ant conditioning, reinforcers,
always enough of a reward to is for a good attempt at a new training session what your goal
ately give him his treat. The
rewards, shaping behaviors,
add brilliance to a horse’s per- element of a lesson or for im- is and what behavior will war-
word or verbal cue between the
poke or hit a horse. There is a
final behaviors and others too
formance or desire to learn. provement in a lesson while rant a reward such as improved
time that you tell him “good”
great product called Nip Buster
numerous to mention. There
If the use of food getting a treat, as a condition of performance or a good try by
or “yes” AND the word for the
(www.hipbuster.com) that can
is so much information and it
treats is standard operating performance is a bribe. your horse
treat are called bridge signals.
be a wonderful aid to get the
seems so complicated that it
procedure in training most Know your horse’s • Always handle
These words are the equivalent
training back on target and con-
makes your head spin.
other species of animals, why personality and be realistic your horse gently yet firmly
of the click in Clicker Training.
trol mugging. It is a citrus-based
In our modern soci-
is it not in horse training? We about his manners and your • Horses have a very
Separate the words clearly so
spray that fits in the palm of the
ety, exposure to dogs as family
suggest learning to use treats training skills. Training with acute sense of fairness, pre-
that you have the option of us-
hand and can be sprayed in the
members is so commonplace
responsibly and effectively treats takes practice to become serve his good will by recog-
ing just the praise word and a
vicinity of the horse’s nose if
that even most children grow up
can greatly enhance a handler’s effective at it. Most horses can nizing his efforts consistently
stroke or giving the treat. This
he violates the personal space
with some knowledge of canine
results. tolerate treats if they are con- • Give a few seconds
is called a variable reward.
rule. The product is harmless
behavior. Almost everyone
If you feed treats ditioned correctly. If you are “dwell” or “thought” time be-
Keep the praise short and direct
but most horses don’t like citrus
knows that dogs work for food!
now, why do you feed them? willing to perfect your skills, tween repetitions so the horse
and be precise, methodical and
and will happily get out of your
In the training of virtually ev-
If you feed treats because your the use of food treats can yield can sort out mentally what he
timely.
space. Another effective way
ery animal species, using food
horse loves them and looks for- great benefits in performance did for the treat.
You will be condi-
to control mugging is to put a
treats is an acceptable standard
ward to them then perhaps you and attitude. Plan your reward
tioning him in several ways-
small slice of lemon in the palm
practice. The horse seems to be
should feed them in a bucket. system before you start train-
you are letting him know that
of your hand and just touch the
the only species where profes-
If you are to use them as a H e n r y B l a k e ’ s ing. You need to understand
his response was right, that his
horse’s nose with it if he gets
sional trainers don’t use food
training tool, that is an entirely “Thinking with Horses” is a ter- sequence, timing and cues.
response was correct and the
aggressive.
oal of using
treats and don’t teach students
separate matter and you may rific resource to study some of Decide what verbal cues you
meaning of the praise word the
The g
food treats is to enhance the
how to use treats.
want to feed them by hand. the basics of training such as- will use including what you
treat word. It is very important
learning process but not to
Training for the Ul-
Using treats as a mo- Behavioral condi- will call a “treat”. The clearer
that you get the sequence and
make the training process and
timate Companion Horse or
tivational tool is requires some tioning you can get the picture in your
the timing right or treats won’t
performance dependent upon
Trick Horse Training is prob-
special attention to detail and Positive and nega- mind of what you want to
work for you. The horse must
their use. Over time and by us-
ably more in line with dog train-
training of the trainer to be ef- tive reinforcementSequence, happen, the easier it will be to
never receive praise or treats
ing a variable reward system the
ing, especially canine agility
fective and not create a pushy timing and verbal cues make it happen! A horse can be
outside of the established se-
ideal situation is for the horse
training than any other equine
or begging horse…a 1,000 How to enhance the taught to respond to whatever
quence. As the horse’s response
to perform as a conditioned
disciplines. Many equine disci-
lb cookie monster. There is a traditional reward of release word or cue that you would
to your requests becomes con-
response and not because of a
plines and sports have evolved
method to prevent the bad habit of pressure like to use.
firmed or almost second nature,
food treat.
of mugging.
eVACUATION
the way of horses
mANDATORY EVACUATION...ARE YOU PREPARED?
By Eleanor Blazer, © 2009
“ D o y o u s m e l l Packed and Ready To Go crews where to fight the be already packed in the
include credit cards, bank ac-
smoke?” fire, alerting them to hot trailer.
count information, health insur-
That simple question I called a friend who spots and keeping our 12. If you are go-
ance cards and check books.
from my husband started a very has extra pens and informed local sheriff’s department ing to have to make several
We’ve been told sev-
intense day. her we may be arriving with informed on the progress. trips, don’t wait until the
eral times we were lucky – and
We live in southern the horses. I also made ar- last evacuate order is is-
we were. But, you can make
Texas and have not had sub- rangements with her in case we Blackhawk Helicopter sued. Start moving animals
your own good luck by being
stantial rainfall for more than had to evacuate a neighbor’s Dropping Water out early and give yourself
prepared. It can happen to
18 months. The wind was com- two ponies and small herd of enough time. It is possible
you…please be ready.
ing from the south and there goats. By 5:00 P.M. the if you wait too long, you
* Earn a Bachelor of
was a brush fire at Camp Bullis Karla, who owns one fire was out and the “pre- will not be allowed back in.
Science degree in equine studies
Military Training Reservation, of the horses at our ranch, ar- pare to evacuate order” Use common sense.
or certification as a Professional
south of us. rived to help haul horses. She lifted. The fire fighters 13. Don’t forget
Horse Trainer or Riding Instruc-
Looking from the loaded hay, grain and the tack continued to monitor the to have an emergency bag
tor. Start your new career as a
back of our ranch, across the we wanted to take (saddles, area all night – as we did.
at a moment’s notice. Don’t
packed and ready with your
riding instructor, horse trainer,
neighboring ranch’s pasture, bridles and grooming equip- It’s not good to
wait until the emergency to
personal items.
or stable manager. All courses
we could see the smoke. The ment). take the “it will never hap-
start looking for a way to move
14. Prepare a list of
are online. Start anytime and
fire was between two hills, I packed the external pen to me” attitude when
your horses.
important documents you will
work at your own pace. Visit
so the flames were not vis- hard drives that back up our preparing for an emergency.
5. Make sure all
need and have them readily
www.horsecoursesonline.com
ible. As time passed the area computer files. I also packed A few simple steps will make
health records and registrations
available. These items would
for information.
of smoke became an evacuation run
papers are in one location and
wider. It grew to be smooth.
can be moved quickly.
NORTH AMERICAN THOROUGHBRED
more than two miles 1. Train
6. Make advance ar-
wide. your horses to
rangements with several friends
The sher- load. Trying to
who have room for your horses.
SOCIETY LAUNCHES ANNUAL usea
iff’s department set load an untrained
If this is not possible contact
up an observation horse when stress
your local fairgrounds or horse PERFORMANCE AWARDS
point at the end of is high can be
facilities to find out their poli-
our road. Neighbors dangerous and
cies for accepting horses during
The North Ameri- adhere to the official USEA
were checking as the time consuming.
an emergency - have several
can Thoroughbred Society competition year, which runs
officers monitored 2 . B e
options available.
(NATBS), a company that pro- from December through No-
the fire. Everyone able to identify
7. Know the various
motes the interests of Jockey vember. To be eligible for
was in contact via cell phones, enough clothes and personal your horses. Take pictures
routes to the facility to which
Club-recognized North Ameri- NATBS awards for a competi-
concerned with how we would items for several days. The cats or videos and have written
you are taking the horses. A
can Thoroughbreds, today tion year, Thoroughbreds must
get our horses out. were rounded up and secured in descriptions. Store one set in
road may be closed, so have an
launched the NATBS Annual be recorded with the NATBS by
At noon we were told a room, so I wouldn’t have to a safe place (a safe deposit box
alternate route in mind. USEA Performance Awards.
August 15th of that year.
to prepare to evacuate. Ground look for them later. at a bank is one option) and
8. Assign duties, in The award program recognizes
All award specifica-
crews were not able to get the Don got the trailers keep another set with you.
advance, to the various people the achievements of NATBS
tions are in accordance with
fire under control and air sup- hooked up. He also got the 3. If your horse is
who will be helping evacuate member Thoroughbreds com-
the USEA National Year-end
port had been requested, but cat carriers by the door and the going to a community rescue
the horses. If people know peting at 2008-9 USEA-recog-
Awards criteria, located at
it would take time for them to dog and cat supplies loaded. site or there is a chance he
what is expected, things will nized competitions. www.useventing.com, under
arrive. The fire was spreading He made sure the house and will become loose have some
go smoothly. Performance data Competitions/Leaderboard.
and moving fast. barn were secure. Don left type of identification on the
9. Leave your contact will be provided to NATBS by Members are encouraged to
Now was the time contact information in the barn horse. An identification tag
information in several con- the USEA, and awards will be check their standings through-
our preparations for an emer- and house, so we could be on the halter will work, but
spicuous places in your barn, given in the following catego- out the competition year ..
gency would pay off. reached. microchips, brands or tattoos
office or house. ries: Beginner Novice: Junior Results will be posted both
All of our horses are Within half an hour of are more permanent. Be sure
10. In the event you Rider, Young Rider, Adult, on www.useventing.com and
trained to load without a fuss, being told to prepare to evacu- your emergency contact in-
are not at home, make arrange-
Adult Amateur, Novice: Junior at www.hellohorse.com by
so they were of no concern. ate we were ready to load the formation is included on the
ments with several friends or
Rider, Young Rider, Adult, December 31, 2009. NATBS
Health and registra- horses and leave. ID tag.
neighbors so they can evacu-
Adult Amateur, Training: Ju- standings will also appear in
tion papers for all the animals Luckily air support 4. Make sure your
ate your horses. Go over your
nior Rider, Young Rider, Adult, the USEA Eventing USA maga-
are in a folder and easily lo- arrived in time. truck and trailer are in good
plans and have the information
Adult Amateur, Prelim: Young zine’s awards issue. Certificates
cated. We spent the after- working order and packed with
available to them. Keep it
Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur, will be mailed end of January.
Our trailer and truck noon watching the Blackhawk needed supplies. Do not use
up-dated.
Intermediate: Young Rider, More detailed infor-
are always ready to go. Tires, helicopters and fixed winged your trailer as a storage unit.
11. Pack enough hay,
Adult, Adult Amateur, and Ad- mation about NATBS Rule-
lights and brakes are serviced air craft drop water and fire If you do not own a trailer,
feed, medications, supplements
vanced: Young Rider, Adult, book, membership, and other
regularly. Extra halters, leads, retardant chemicals on the fire. make advance arrangements
and water (if needed) for sev-
Adult Amateur. award programs can be found
buckets and medical supplies A forestry airplane did continu- with several friends or a local
eral days. Extra buckets should
are always packed. ous circles informing ground hauler who can be contacted
NATBS awards will at www.hellohorse.com.
Page 26 Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com
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