Bitten By The Bug

[Styric]

Well, since Chevy's still sore from the huge abscess, I've decided to try something new.

I've been bitten... I want to start clicker training!  Mostly for things like standing still, backing up, yielding etc.

My mom (shared owner) has no complaints, especially if it makes him more responsive to light signals as her arm is still very weak.  Physio is helping, but it's more than a little difficult for her to move him around.

My only problem is the yo is STRICTLY against handfeeding treats.  She will blow up at you if she catches you.  The only way to convince her is if Chevy's already far enough along that there are very definite results (not "trick-training" results like target touching), but I have to get to that point first without being banned from it.

Any ideas?

[debgibsonmt]

My only problem is the yo is STRICTLY against handfeeding treats.

And how is it any of the yard owners business how you train your horse???

Deb

[Styric]

Barn policy stated before I moved him there.

That and she can easily make my life miserable... though I'm seriously thinking of ignoring it :/  Once I get him to the point of not mugging me for treats, and showing definite results that it works, she'll leave me alone entirely on it.

I don't like going behind people's backs to do stuff with my own horse, but I dont think I have a choice.  

I'm starting today with target touching and no mugging for munchies.  He's extremely predictable on the target touching, as no matter what I lift up to him he'll touch to sniff and play with it anyways so this should be easy.  

[Styric]

Well first session done

I'm having slight difficulties making sure the click is distinctly before the treat, but that's my problem and I'm seriously working on it.

After a couple minutes of him trying to steal carrots out of my pockets and not being successful, he got bored and started playing with the target.  I need to work on the fact that he'll reach out, bump the target then immediately go searching for the treat.

Should I make him wait, or let him do it as long as he doesn't grab it out of my hand?

We finished on a good note, with him stretching up and forward to bump it for a treat.  By the end of it, he was definetly figuring out that mugging didn't get him squat while doing what I want turns me into a vending machine.   He also seemed much more pleased with this training session than any of the other groundwork I've done.

I honestly can't believe I didn't do this sooner, he loves it.  For once he gets something definite out of the whole being with me thing that he really likes.   I can also see this being an invaluable training aid later on when I can use it to teach him the one thing that's been evading us.. the leg yield  :P

Until then, next session... a target that requires a step forward or back to get.

[Heather]

Becky's day off today Styric- sure she will answer you as soon as she is back. Sounds like you need all the help you can get with your tyrannical barn owner, what a dragon!!

Er......... you could always try clicker training her? :lol:

Heather

[Styric]

Becky's day off today Styric- sure she will answer you as soon as she is back. Sounds like you need all the help you can get with your tyrannical barn owner, what a dragon!!

Er......... you could always try clicker training her? :lol:

Heather

She's really not so bad.  She's also my coach, and believe it or not her demeanor entirely changes when she's working with you on the horse, or with the horse alone.  Chevy likes her alot and she's an amazing teacher.

I've been known to try and think of ways to stay on my horse at all times

She's also only truly tyrannical on certain points, handfeeding and safety usually.  She's merely 'opinionated' about the rest :P
Has some good reasons for it even if she goes about it the wrong way.

That and she's a loud yelling type when not training you on horseback or working with kids, and I'm quiet, nervous and sensitive... rather TB-like  :lol:


Clicker training her just might work too!! She adores coffee... a click and sip every time she refrains from yelling??

[Numbat]

Since you want to discourage mugging, I'd insist on giving him the treat where you want his nose to be. If that means he has to take a little step back when you hold it towards his chest, so much the better. Be sure you're not reaching for the treat before the click, then click, get the treat, hold the treat where you want his nose to be, with your arm extended out from your body. He'll find out where he has to put himself to find the treat.

[Becky holden]

Hi Styric,

After a couple minutes of him trying to steal carrots out of my pockets and not being successful, he got bored and started playing with the target. I need to work on the fact that he'll reach out, bump the target then immediately go searching for the treat.

Should I make him wait, or let him do it as long as he doesn't grab it out of my hand?

I wouldn't make him wait, with a horse thats really keen to touch the target i'd get them to touch it twice or touch it high and low or start to shape length of time the target is touched.
If the yard owner is really against feeding by hand you could sweep your bed back and drop the carrot on the floor or use a little feed scoop, it's not ideal but could be an option. If you can get away with treating by hand do as Numbat suggests and feed where you want the horses head to be. don't let your come forward for the treat.
Also a point to remember with a really keen horse is to reinforce nothing but standing still from time to time so the horse dosen't become frantic each time you enter the stable eager to learn and play games. I thimk Alex Kurland calls it the default position, until something has been put on que it will get offered to us even when not asked for so just be ready for this.

I honestly can't believe I didn't do this sooner, he loves it. For once he gets something definite out of the whole being with me thing that he really likes. I can also see this being an invaluable training aid later on when I can use it to teach him the one thing that's been evading us.. the leg yield

This is where i feel clicker training really comes in to it's own. A relaxed mind equals relaxed muscles which anables the horse to become much more supple.

Have fun

Becky  

[Styric]

Well today he was bumping everything looking for treats, the silly mule. He didn't get any as it wasn't appropriate to bump the hoof testers out of the farrier's hand when he's pointing at him to stop fidgeting.

I think I definetly need to have a 'this is the start of the session cue' or start carrying treats around everywhere!!