| Different signals are used in training session. | | | | think will serve the purpose well for you and your |
| Bridge-signal is one such signal which is used to | | | | horse. It can be a clicker, a spoken word, a touch, or a |
| communicate with horse. A good communication | | | | snap of the fingers. The only thing which you need to |
| system is always necessary for any sort of training | | | | be focus on is to keep bridge signal distinct and |
| program. If you have a good communication system | | | | precise. For instance, a sound of whistle is used as a |
| that will definitely accelerate the training process. | | | | bridge signal for captive dolphins and whales. The |
| Bridge-signal is considered to be the important part of | | | | bridge signal is useful because these are the marine |
| the horse training program. It is used to transmit clear | | | | mammals which tend to stay near (close proximity) to |
| and reliable message to the horse. | | | | the trainers. |
| The name bridge-signal is given to it for the function it | | | | Close proximity or nearness to trainers is also |
| performs. Bridge-signal is used to bridge the gap | | | | common for horses. The most often used bridge signal |
| between the moment in the training when animal | | | | for horses is a clicker. It is easy for horses to identify |
| responds correctly and the moment of reinforcement | | | | the sound of a clicker than anything else. It is also a |
| of that behavior. Reward reinforcement and | | | | distinct sound for them and they pay attention to that |
| bridge-signal are so closely intertwined that without | | | | sound almost instantaneously. Once your horse get |
| proper signal, reinforcement will be unclear. You can | | | | used to it, new bridge signal has been introduced like |
| also expect an undesired behavior from your horse | | | | verbal bridge signal. The idea behind this is that you |
| due to lack of use of bridge signal. This is just because | | | | need not to hold the clicker and you can freely control |
| of the lack of bridge-signal that your horse | | | | the behavior of the horse with verbal signals easily. |
| misinterprets that which behavior is to be rewarded | | | | You can also do riding, clipping and longing with ease. |
| and which is not. | | | | While riding a horse, you can use clicker attach at the |
| To remove this uncertainty for your horse; including | | | | whip or riding crop to make signaling easier for your |
| bridge-signal in your training program becomes | | | | horse. |
| essential. Using bridge signal prior to offering any | | | | Once your horse has mastered the concept of bridge |
| reward reinforcement, clearly suggest your horse that | | | | conditioning, now is the time move along the training |
| you want to see the same behavior repeated again. | | | | process and teach him some new concepts. Target is |
| Bridge signal in this way helps you to set up a clear | | | | another such tool to guide your horse in right direction. |
| and ample system of communication with your horse | | | | Target is used as an extension of the hands. Targets |
| for any particular behavior. | | | | are devised in a way to guide your horse through |
| Most of the time reinforces are used along with bridge | | | | behaviors, to touch the targets physically. Target can |
| signal. Introducing a reinforcer considerably increase the | | | | be used to teach your horse to lift his leg for hoof |
| frequency of the behavior. Primary reinforcer may | | | | picking, to lead into the carrier, or to lower his head for |
| include clicker, carrot, a sugar cube, or a hand full of | | | | clipping. There are many other options available to train |
| grain. Bridge signal can be anything. Anything which you | | | | your horse behavior accordingly. |