Good training is good training - whether it is based on
positive or negative reinforcement (removal of pressure).


What is good traditional (and “natural horsemanship”) training with
horses?

  • Pressure and release of pressure has a meaning to the horse – it is
    used as a means of communication, not as an aversive (although
    pressure CAN be aversive if applied suddenly, harshly, forcefully or
    for prolonged periods)
  • Use as little pressure as it takes
  • Feedback and reward = release of (light) pressure.
  • Frequent rests
  • Understanding of role of biomechanics AND nature of the horse (ie
    addressing the horse’s mind and body within their limits and the
    influence of the rider/trainer on the horse’s mind and body). Also
    known as “feel”
  • The horse is calm throughout the training session.

What is bad traditional and “NH” horse training?

  • There is no motivation for the horse to do what is asked – no (or
    infrequent) release of pressure, not enough recognition of horse's
    efforts. Unrelenting physical and mental demands are made on the
    horse. Horse “zones out”, is dull and unresponsive.
  • Pressure is frequently increased to the point of pain
  • Therider/trainer has the attitude of “make him do it, he must respect
    me, I am the boss, he must do it properly.” The relationship between
    human and horse is adversarial – even though the human may
    genuinely care about and love their horse. They  believe they are
    doing the right thing and there is no other way.
  • Equipment is often used to obtain results and force the horse into a
    position.
  • The horse spends a lot time tense or upset

Common examples of poor training

Good Traditional Training + Clicker Training

Combining Clicker Training (positive reinforcement) with ordinary training
based
on release of pressure (negative reinforcement) results in TWO different but
complementary motivations for the horse:

       1. Release of pressure. 2. Tangible reward

Two channels of communication are (generally) better than one when
training. The rate of learning is accelerated when both forms of
reinforcement are used together.  

Both the release and the click and treat mean the SAME THING – “Yes, that
is right!”


Note: The strength of each motivation may vary with different individuals and
between different situations.

Importance of Pressure and Release (Negative
Reinforcement) With Horses

Generally, clicker training with horses should be used in conjunction with
negative reinforcement.

Tom Roberts’ book “Horse Control and the Young Horse”, Mark Rashid’s book
“Considering the Horse”, Andrew McLean’s book “Horse Training The McLean
Way - The Science Behind the Art” and Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond’s book
“True Horsemanship Through Feel” are excellent examples of how negative
reinforcement should be used.

Alexandra Kurland’s book “Clicker Training For Your Horse” and videos show how
clicker training (positive reinforcement) is used with negative reinforcement.

Horse trainers MUST make sure the horse understands the meaning of pressure
and release of pressure. Physical feel is between the horse and rider is the basis of
most of what we do with horses. The horse must be able to cope with life as an
“ordinary horse”, if he is sold, for example, and the new owners do not want to use
clicker training.

You can use clicker training to teach the horse about negative
reinforcement.

The clicker is used to train and reinforce. It does not replace feel. The training must
stand on its own. This means that the horse must be able to perform something that
was taught to him with the help of CT, without the clicker, and based on pressure
and release (ie feel) alone.

Riding and dressage is all about feel and timing. Nothing will help your timing better
than knowing the right time to click! Your feel will also improve as you focus on the
opportunities to reward your horse.


How Clicker Training Fits Into Dressage

http://www.horsemansarts.com/Articles/Published_Articles/ct__dressage.htm

http://www.horsemansarts.com/Articles/articles.html

http://www.horsemansarts.com/Articles/

(the following information is used with kind permission from Sharon Foley, see www.
horsemansarts.com)


A lot of people think that clicker training is great for teaching tricks, but can't see
how it applies to dressage. Some people even think that 'silly pet tricks' are
somehow offensive and degrading to the horse. I suppose this depends entirely on
one's attitude going in.

If you are forcing the animal to perform, even dressage becomes offensive. On the
other hand, the way we work with horses, the tricks they do they practically make up
themselves. They do it for one reason only... because it pleases them to do so.
Assuming that the horse does in fact enjoy doing the tricks, how does doing them
further one's dressage goals?

In some very critical ways. For one, teaching your horse a trick tells you a lot about
your horse and how he/she learns. Is he a quick study? Offer a lot of different
behaviour? Get frustrated easily?T his information will apply directly to your
dressage training. Another really important outcome is that you may discover what
it is like to work with a horse that is in fact mentally engaged.

Many of us are so used to horses that 'zone out' we aren't even aware that horses
can/do/will engage in the game of training if we make it worthwhile for them to do
so. Likewise, our horses are so used to zoning out in the dressage arena they don't
know any other way to be, either. So, by establishing a new playing field, one that
has a completely new set of rules, you can draw your horse out of the zone and into
the game with you.

It may take a while to get your horse to believe that the new rules apply to dressage!
You may have to make some fairly dramatic changes to your outlook and approach.
However, it can be done if you are committed to making it happen.

The most important thing to know is that from the horse's perspective it is
all just ONE game... either one that is fun or one that is not. Let's make it
fun! -SF