| Training animals with a clicker has been proven to be | | | | and when used in conjunction with clicker, the results |
| very effective. A great positive reinforcement, it was | | | | are just amazing. The food that horses typically like is |
| derived from the study of operant conditioning. It is | | | | apples, carrots, and other fruits. Horse crunchies work |
| extensively used on any kinds of animals and used | | | | well too and you can use grains as well but it can be |
| during the acquisition phase of training a new behavior. | | | | awkward though. However, bear in mind that horses |
| However, once the animal responds from other cues | | | | can get colicky and develop other digestive problems if |
| -- such as, verbal and physical cues & the clicker is no | | | | you overfeed them. Just be wary. |
| longer needed. | | | | Feeding, as reward, should be done a small bit at a |
| Clickers are great for horse training. They respond | | | | time. In clicker training, a little bit goes a long way. |
| exceptionally well with it. Many equine trainers use it | | | | Feeding them lumps of grain or a whole carrot per |
| and succeed almost effortlessly. Trainers usually pair it | | | | reward is not only impractical but may also impede |
| with other rewards such as food treats, verbal, and | | | | with your training. |
| physical praises. The horse is encouraged to repeat | | | | 2. Know exactly what you want to accomplish. It is |
| the favorable behavior. It creates a happy, and eager | | | | very important that you know the specific thing that |
| to learn and please disposition for your horse. | | | | you want your horse to do. Being clear is paramount in |
| The intelligence of horses is superb. They adapt well to | | | | clicker training. Clicks must be done at the right |
| positive reinforcement training. In fact, there is no other | | | | moment. Be sure that the horse knows what you |
| way more effective than positive reinforcement and | | | | want him to do! A confused trainer will create an even |
| that can be said to all animals. The clicker is one of the | | | | more confused horse. |
| most useful devices to implement positive | | | | 3. In the horse's mind, the click is an indication that a |
| reinforcement and it is just a small plastic. Big things do | | | | reward is coming up. Use this to your own advantage. |
| come from small packages! | | | | Make it clear to the horse that the click is useless if the |
| However, clickers should be used sparingly and on the | | | | command is not done the way you like it to be. |
| right moment. It is pretty useless and may even | | | | It should be mentioned that food is not only |
| jeopardize your training objectives if you just click, click, | | | | reinforcement that can be used. You can use the click |
| and click for no apparent reason. | | | | with any kind of reinforcement or reward. Just always |
| Tips on how to use clicker training effectively: | | | | makessure that the clicks will involve something that |
| 1. Horses are animals with tremendous appetites. That | | | | the horse will like. |
| is why food is a great motivator in the equine world | | | | |