Jay--Partner of Mandy
I've been using this method with my horse, Jay for about a year now. He was such a sad, disinterested boy when I got him last year. I really feel that the clicker training has helped us form a bond so much faster than we would have otherwise. In fact, I'm not sure we would have much of a relationship now if it wasn't for the clicker.Being on the track and then after that being owned by a real "macho" type guy made Jay dislike and distrust people. Using the clicker and positive reinforcement only he has turned into a different horse. Whereas before he would walk to the back of his stall when I arrived, now he greets me with ears forward. He has a sparkle in his eyes and a definate sense of humor. On two different occasions I have called him to me from different distances in the arena. He comes and gets a c/t. Twice, when I've called, he's come, I've gotten the halter unfolded to put on his nose he's turned and walked about 8 feet away, turned and stood looking at me. He wanted to do some MORE clicker work!!! So we did, he was happy and was very agreeable to putting his halter on. And I mix it up, using clicker and non clicker training. I don't use the clicker when I'm mounted because I don't like to feed him with a bit in his mouth and he doesn't seem to like to eat with it either. So I use the traditional release of pressure and verbal praise and scratches. He seems to do well with both methods. Not being a "real" trainer, the clicker has helped me find the exact instant to reward the behavior. It creates a language between you and your horse that I never had before. I think its a great tool to be used alone or in conjunction with other forms of training. I suppose if you were totally in tune with your horse you wouldn't need the clicker but it sure has helped me and has given me a happy horse.
Here are some pics of Jay being Clicker trained. He's scared to death of newspaper so I was having him touch the paper. Also showing him lowering his head.
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