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What is Clicker training? It is actually a slang name which was originally from the scientific term operant conditioning. It has become progressively more prominent in training horses where positive reinforcement is used, though it was in the beginning used to train aquatic mammals.

An animal learns a particular behavior or a task using the concept of operant conditioning in psychology where positive reinforcement is given after the action that the trainer wants the animal to repeat has been carried out successfully. However, the undesirable behavior or actions done by the animal aren’t rewarded and it will be ignored. Therefore the horse is more eager and quick to learn because they know rewards are given for the right actions.

Clicker training is a great tool to embrace other training methods. All you need to be started is a clicker, some treats, and a container for the rewards. Once you have got them, your horse is now on its way to obedience. There are no set rules to pursue when using the clicker training but the following will guide you to use this method to your advantage.

The sound of the ‘click.’ is very important

Firstly, try to click your clicker for several times and then reward it with a treat every time your horse hears the sound. Why we are doing this? This is a process to let it know that the sound ‘click’ means that a reward is coming. Repeat the sequence of clicking followed by treating Later after about every 10-15 minutes. Some horses can easily get accustomed to the clicker training after three sequences, but some horses may need more sessions.

Pushing your horse too hard should be avoided

It is important to consider that every horse differs in its readiness and ability to learn new tricks. It will be more effective to train for more than 10-15 minutes. Try to uphold short sessions broken into several days than having a long one in a day.

Using a target is compulsory

By using a target, it will be much easier to train your horse and it has something to aim at. Apply the positive reinforcement when appropriate and let this be the first task that it needs to fulfilled. The simplest thing is by hanging a plastic bottle and ask it to bump it using its head. Having done it successfully, you must reward it not once but every time it does it perfectly.

In clicker training, timing is the most important thing. So, make sure you click each time the horse has bumped the target by giving it a reward. The rewarding has to be repeated until the behavior is reinforced.

The next step

Move on to the next step once it learns to bump the target correctly. Before giving a reward to your horse, let it pursue the target then head bob it. Your previous training is being tested here. It will tell whether you have properly conditioned it to respond to the ‘click.’ However, you have to always remember that you must be patient and not to conduct each session for too long . Not all horses will learn on the same speed so do not be disappointed.

As soon as you have completed this basic clicker training for it, you may proceed to more advance training. You can employ this method to compliment your other trainings to make it easier for you to teach and your horse to learn.