This message is from: Roger and Carol Watkins <[email protected]>
I did some clicker training with my mare Rika. She caught on to "touch the target for a click and a treat" in about 90 seconds. The most useful thing that she learned is to "stand on your mat". This task tooka few sessions to learn but I doubt she will ever forget. When I put her mat ( an old boot tray insert) down she will come up and stand on it squarely with both front feet, for which she gets a click and a treat. I can walk all around her and even leave briefly and she will not move, then I click and treat. I can touch her all over with pool noodles, broom, plastic flag etc and she will stay put for a click and a treat. The most useful application of this skill is when I am putting her back in the pasture. She stands on her mat while I remove her halter. I ask her to stand there for a few more seconds and then click and treat. I may walk around her or even walk several feet away. She stays put for a click and a treat. When the game is over, I turn my back and walk away and she knows that we are done and she walks calmly off - no bolting and bucking which can sometimes happen when you remove a horse's halter in the pasture. You must be prepared and have treats with you because it is not fair to ask for the task and not give the reward. The most recent thing that I have taught Rika (without the clicker) is to stand still about 8-10" away while I put hay in the feeder. She is not allowed to approach the feeder until I turn and face her and say "good girl" and give a "come along" signal with my hands. She was extremely bargey and had no manners when I was carrying hay. She still flattens her ears, but at least she doesnt run me over. For her, eating is very serious business. I have also used the clicker to teach her to fetch a ball and hand it to me. Not a very useful skill, but fun for me.
Carol and Rika in Wisconsin Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
