Could CT help with....

[anakin]

I have a young stallion that gets very worried in confined spaces.
When stabled he would box walk and fret when left alone, this would improve when i was with him but he would get very clingy and almost sit on my lap which would feel pretty scary as he is 16.1hh.
The stabling issue has now improved as i have moved him into a stable with bars all around so he can see the pony nextdoor and also look out over the fields and he no longer feels completely shut in.
Anyway his problems extend to loading and trailers, he even finds the ramp scary now, so i wondered if anyone has helped this problem with CT before and if so how do i begin as i have never done any CT before.
He loves being with people and is generaly very attentive, he does not mind being away from the other horses aslong as he is being interacted with.
He was born here so has not had a bad experience with travelling and the times we have tried to practice loading have been done using no pressure or force as i don't want to make his issues any worse.
Any ideas, even if just to say CT won't help with this would be gratefully received.

[Becky holden]

Hi Anakin

Yes clicker training sure will help with this type of problem. First of all you need to condition the clicker so he understands what its all about. You do this by "target training" basically each time he touches a desired object you click then treat, he will soon realise that by touching the object he hears the click and then receives a treat. Once he gets the idea (which isn't usually long! )teach him to pick up each front leg on command this comes in useful when stood at the bottom of the ramp!
I'm working on one of Heathers horses at the moment as he doesn't like loading, the first session i ct each time he paid attention to the ramp, by the third session he is now standing with two feet on the ramp. If you have a trailer to practise with it is better to do short sessions as often as possible.
CT will give your horse something positive to focus on rather than focusing on being frightened he will start to focus on you clicking and treating.

Becky