Emotional Learning

[mrsmurchin]

I believe somone I know trained one of hers to cross its legs in response to "what do ladies do when they want the toilet"  :lol:

Is that Becky by any chance?  She is clicker training Heather's Fanta to do just this, it's really funny to see!

Elaine.

[cptrayes]

You'd have to get a show rug in paisley silk fabric, or perhaps burgundy velvet would look nice on him (smoking jacket style) and also get him to get a louche look on his face, the equine equivalent of "well, hell-loooo" 

Oh you've got me going now Lesha! I can see the design - it would be quite easy to have a wide turned back collar and have it done up at the front with big buttons. And if it was only half a rug it would look even more fantastic. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

I can see how I'd teach him to cross his legs, but anyone got any ideas on how they taught the horse (do you mean the horse was called Cat Ballou, Sue?) to lean on the wall? You can hardly shove him over can you?

C


 

[hinny_heart]

The velvet, with a paisley silk turn-back "collar" ... or a cravat. Bib-style, or just a little longer. With a turn-back cuff at the bottom ...

The way he holds his neck and head in some of the photos is near-perfect already for this!

[cptrayes]

I'm still giggling at the picture of it in my head.

Now, to get a hijacked thread back on topic. I have waded through all the scientific stuff above and I think what we are saying is that the lymbic system of a horse can be reprogrammed and that is what we call "emotional learning".

So.... the lymbic system of a horse is dedicated pretty much to making sure it's not the one at the back of the herd. the one that gets eaten. So, for example, racing is natural for them - the one at the front survives. But some of the fear behaviour, running from danger, for example, we want to reprogram.

I can't think how that would happen unless you allow the horse to get into situations where it is afraid, then afterwards it consolidates the emotional learning into realising that there was no point, that they weren't eaten, and that humans were good to turn to in a crisis.

So..... for me, this completely demolishes the training methods that attempt never to allow the horse to get into any situation where it's scared. And explains why my methods, where I am actually prepared to put my horses into situations that I know they will find uncomfortable, so rapidly produces calmer behaviour and more confident horses.

Am I off my rocker? In any case, my lymbic system just taken over - I really must go and get some lunch.

C.  

[Ebyss]

So..... for me, this completely demolishes the training methods that attempt never to allow the horse to get into any situation where it's scared. And explains why my methods, where I am actually prepared to put my horses into situations that I know they will find uncomfortable, so rapidly produces calmer behaviour and more confident horses.


 

That is EXACTLY how I feel. Horses should be scared of things, that's their job! How they react to it is what we as trainers must "re-program". How else do you get a bombproof horse? You must expose them to situations they will find terrifying as much as possible, until they become used to it, or look to the trainer for guidance. Obviously, this must be done with tact, sensitivity and common sense -- and I think this is where most people fall down.  

[SueC]

The first film (1965) I saw with a horse leaning on the wall crossing his legs.  Horse and owner both leaning on the wall and were supposed to be drunk.  Starred Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin.  Am I the only one old enough to remember?  Or perhaps I was drunk and it just looked like they were leaning.  :lol:  

[Fiona]

I think that *was* Cat Ballou  

P.S we are nearer to Exeter now if you fancy another go on our Icelandics

Fiona

[cptrayes]

I think I've seen that on telly now you remind me Sue. I was only 7 in '65 so I don't reckon I saw in at the cinema. Isn't it just the greatest trick?

C