Not only can clicker training be an interesting and efficient training method for dogs, horses can also learn a lot in this way!
Clicker training is mainly known from the dog school, where the dog learns actions based on the click system and is rewarded for this. Clicker training also appears to be a very efficient training method for horses. How do you proceed?
How does it work?
By means of the clicker you can make it clear to your horse that this is exactly what you want from him, the moment he does it. You teach the horse that the click is the confirmation of his good behavior, and that then the effective reward follows. This can be a treat, a pat on the nose or something else that your horse experiences as a reward.
During a training it is often difficult to reward exactly at the right time, because you cannot always give a treat or a pat right away. You can click immediately, and make it clear that the reward will come afterwards.
Clicker training is therefore a training method that is fully aimed at reinforcing positive behavior. Negative behavior is ignored in this method. This can be done by not clicking, but can also be made clearer by turning away from the horse and breaking contact.
A clicker is a small plastic box that produces a clicking sound when you push it. It is easy to obtain at a pet store and costs only a few dollars.
The first exercise
When you first start using the clicker, it is important that you first teach your horse that the click sound is a precursor to a reward. You do this by clicking a number of times and then giving a reward. When your horse understands this principle, and believe me, it goes very quickly, you can continue your clicker training.
A first, simple exercise is targeting. You teach your horse to touch an object on command. You do this step by step. You choose an object, for example a cone. In the first phase you click when the horse is only looking at the cone. You reward this behavior. The horse will soon think about your intention. In the next phase you click and reward when the horse stretches in the direction of the object. If this also goes well, click and reward the moment he touches the object with his nose. You can also link a voice command to this, so that the horse remembers what the intention is when you say “tap” in the future.
Have you completed this exercise successfully? Then you can continue with new exercises and tricks such as giving your feet, Spanish step, flemen, giving kisses, .. The possibilities are endless!