How does Clicker Training relate to Horse Behavior and Instinct

by Heather Humphreys

Hi
I was wondering if you could email me some information on how clicker training relates to the horses natural behaviour?
Thank you
Heather Humphreys


What a great question!! Thanks for asking!

Here's where I can see the connection between clicker training and a horses behavior and instinct.

When it comes to "learning" for any being or species (human or horse) it is agreed that we all learn faster when information is taught using positive methods vs. negative punishment. So it is natural and instinctual for all beings to gravitate to positive energy vs. negative energy (example: we would gravitate to being loved than hated). We would all prefer our bosses, husbands, wives to say nice positive comments to us rather than the negative ones. When it comes to a learning environment whether it be school or the work place again we would respond with enthusiasm when we work with those who offer encouragement in a positive fashion rather than the opposing "do it or else" method like, you will lose your job or fail a class if you don't change your behavior or complete a task.

A child (or horse) will always learn faster when reinforced for the positive behaviors they offer and the best part about clicker training is you can just ignore the unwanted behaviors because when there is no reinforcement for those, they stop doing them! But the same goes if we inadvertently reinforce for negative behaviors with attention to them, the child or horse will repeat those to get the attention they wanted! Special note: Horses do not have the conscious ability to understanding between "good" and "bad" like a child would. In other words, a horse would not understand that he was being bad in our terms, they could only react to what they have interpreted as well as seeking what they want from the exchange.

For the horses the same would hold true regarding positive reinforcement vs. negative reinforcement but there is another component and that is the herbivore aspect. Since horses have small stomachs and have an instinctual need to intake food often, the use of food provides not only nutrition but it becomes a positive training "tool" because it is something "they want". Therefore, horses have a natural need for food and often! I have never found any horse not to get enthusiastic about the anticipation of more food!


Many believe that horses have survived as long as they have through evolution because of their ability to adapt so well to change. I also believe this to be true. When it comes to behaviors I have seen many horses repeat a behavior simply because it has supplied them with an outcome that they wanted like a food treat, a scratch or even just attention. Many of those situations can come out of pure trial and error on the horse's behalf but with clicker training you can now "mark" the moment with a sound that indicates "yes that was the behavior I was looking for" and by rewarding with something the horse wants (food) the rate of repetition is much, much higher.

Horses communicate with each other through the use of sight (watching body language) and hearing more than using their vocal sounds. That is why a distinct consistent sound like a clicker or whistle used is so effective for accuracy and clarity purposes.

What I want people to really know too is it's not about the food. It's about offering a positive way to communicate more effectively with another species and in the case of horses food just happens to be an effective tool. I also combine the words "good girl" or "good boy" with this tool, because in time words can become positive reinforcement tools also.

When I started asking the question with the horse's perspective at the forefront being, "What’s in it for the horse? I realized my own agenda for them lacked offering them the answer, very humbling indeed. Now I just think about, if I was a horse, what do I want? Would this make sense? Would I like being with me? (Ouch, that one can hurt sometimes! :0) But this changed everything! Which resulted in a much closer relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.

Elaine Polny
Training Horses Naturally