'Clicker' article in Horse and Rider magazine :$

[TashaKat]

There's an article on clicker in this month's 'Horse and Rider' magazine (August 2010, p48-52).  Unfortunately the article is by Marthe Kiley-Worthington who isn't exactly fond of clicker training 

I've got a PDF copy of the article if anyone wants to read it, just pm me your email addy.

The article also asks you to visit the H & R Forum (horseandrideruk.com) and tell them whether clicker training has worked for you and your horses ... cue mass exit to the H&R forums 


Why don't they actually ask someone who does clicker training for an article rather than someone who is known to be anti? 

[Appy2quarter]

Its so depressing - she goes on about how voice aids are the only thing to use.  She has clearly decided she 'should' talk about clicker in a relatively positive way but it just says that you can start it, but don't think you'll really get anywhere with it.

Would have been nicer to have a balance ie a pro clicker and her both to put their views over so readers could make up their minds.

hey ho....

[catkin]

i have not read the article as my broadband access is limited at the moment so can't comment on that....


From what I understand of Dr Marthe Kiley-Worthington's work the training is very much positive reinforcement, with food rewards. The principles of training are the same as if you use a clicker; acute observation, timing, rewarding tries, building the training in small pieces etc - it's just that the bridging signal is vocalisation rather than a click (....and how many of us have had a horse that screeches to a halt having just heard 'oh good girl!' rather than a click ?.....)

[TashaKat]

Some of her comments on the disadvantages of clicker:

It requires a lot of practice to be quick enough with the clicker to make it work


Well yes, the timing takes practise but so do (should) your reactions when working with any training method.  She also assumes that everyone who does clicker training uses a clicker, I was rubbish with a clicker so use a tongue 'cluck' which has improved my timing enormously.

It is not possible to direct the movement with the clicker

She's missing how clicker works, we're not trying to direct movement, we're marking and rewarding the tries or correct behaviour.  She appears to be talking about free shaping although she doesn't say that specifically.

Using the clicker discourages the use of the voice

I don't understand how clicker discourages the use of the voice at all.  It certainly hasn't discouraged me

It requires one hand, or foot, or some movement, to click the clicker

If you use a mechanical clicker it does but a lot of people use a tongue 'cluck' or a specific word.

The effect often wears off as it is not a truly enriching motivator

This just shows a basic lack of knowledge about clicker and isn't something that I would have expected from her at all.  I've seen such a difference in Saffy's attitude since doing clicker, she is much more motivated than she was with any other method. 

With the clicker, the horse can’t be taught not to do something

Again this shows a basic lack of knowledge.  What about anti mugging training?  What about standing still (not moving)? 


I was really surprised at the article, I know that she's not a fan of clicker but I'm surprised that she made the comments that she did.

[lisaNW]

Could you not ask Emma if she would write an article in response?

If you could forward me the PDF I don't mind sending it to some of the clicker trainers up here in case they would be interested in writing a reply type article...

Lisa

[TashaKat]

I've forwarded it to her already. Will send you a copy as soon as I'm back on my PC x