The Rider January 2013

36/ JANUARY 2013 THE RIDER The Benefits of Clicker Training

Submitted by Janet Grant,

http://www.myhorse.ca/

Clicker training is a technique used by train- ers of dogs, horses, and other animals based on the belief that improved communication between human and horse can improve an animal’s behaviour.

How is it used?

Trainers use a plas- tic device known as a CLICKER to produce an obvious CLICK sound, punctuating the exact moment the horse per- forms the targeted behaviour. The animal is alerted to the exact

moment when he has performed the behaviour required to earn a reward. No behaviour is reprimanded, unless a safety issue of course, so

he learns there is no rea- son to fear or avoid the training.

In the beginning, you start with a real clicker and a treat. The treat can

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be anything they like in very small amounts, for example, pieces of hay cube, apple, carrot or bits of grain.

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The desired behaviour is ‘shaped’ gradually until the horse learns the completed task. When teaching a horse to back, you might start with one foot mov- ing slightly back and end with the horse offer- ing to take 10 steps backwards. It is best to work in five minute ses- sions a few times a day. The break is short enough that between lessons, he will think about what you were working on using a pro- cess called latent learn- ing, and will return to the task with enthusiasm when training resumes. Clicker training is best taught at liberty - if

your horse doesn’t want to participate (which rarely happens), they will vote with their hooves and leave the session.

Once a horse has learned a task well, you stop clicking for that and just give him a good boy or a pat, and then work on something else he has not mastered yet.

Eventually, you can replace the sound made by the clicker device with the click of your tongue (with some prac- tice) on the roof of your mouth. That way, the clicker is always with you.

Why is clicker training effective?

The theory is that the sound acts as a clear message of YES - which

is desired when coupled with the reward. They want to hear it again and naturally try harder to please.

Because there is no reprimanding, the horse learns to relax, feel safe, gain confidence and becomes more trusting of the training process. As he succeeds at learn- ing the new behaviours, you get to see how smart he really is and the clos- er he gets to reaching his full potential, the better his attitude becomes. Flighty, nervous, hard to handle, horses can become the best horses in the barn. They become less spooky, fearful and resistant to “work”. In fact, many horses appear outwardly happier. Approaching when they spy the click- er, it seems they enjoy the process, which means they are more likely to repeat the action.

You can use a clicker for any kind of training. Even young foals can be clicker trained while they are learning how the world around them operates. For desensitizing, train- ers will teach their horse to use their nose to touch the trainer’s hand and remain calm. A

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horse that was previous- ly a problem for the far- rier or vet becomes the perfect customer, stand- ing quietly with his nose on the owner’s hand while the work is being done. The most power- ful aspect of clicker training is the ability to reward your horse for being calm and relaxed For not spooking when the big truck goes by, for walking calmly instead of racing around the round pen and for standing quietly while grooming. This impres- sive change occurs because clicker training positively reinforces and rewards desired behaviour and ignores all other behaviour. In effect “It’s all good” seems to describe how many animals and train- ers feel about clicker training. The solution for your behaviour issue may be only a “CLICK” away.

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Pictured is Cefiro, a 5 yr old double regis- tered purebred Puerto Rican Paso Fino geld- ing. Until the age of four, he was a neglected and starving stallion at a Florida farm having financial trouble. This past year, he was dis- covered online by friend and paso fino person, Camilla Willings. Once Janet was shown his sad looking photo, saw his beautiful colour, and heard his nickname was Lovebug, she was hooked. Cefiro was res- cued by the two women and brought to Janet’s new farm in Mono, ON. He was fed, gelded and is being clicker trained. Currently, Cefiro is learning to canter in a circle (photo 1), and to go over a small jump (photo 2), both at liber- ty, on command. And as for the relationship between Janet and her Lovebug? She says, “This lovely boy is smartest horse I’ve met yet.” I’d say, it’s a match made in heaven.

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