Thanks! This video is actually VERY old, but the skill has stayed with him. In this video, he's about a year and a half. Now, he's three and a half. Two days ago we used the clicker to get through some shots (he's VERY afraid of needles!). It worked out really well! :)
Oh wow I some how missed the clicker training videos you have. This concept is new to me, I'm curious how you apply it to scary objects? I do like the idea of playing the xylophone though, how cute! :)
Actually, I'll make another video and show you how. Ozzy's afraid of the clippers, and I kind of let it go because he's so good about everything else. I'll make a video using the clicker training as an example if you want. :)
Oh that would be great! Hawk isn't terrified of clippers as much as he is afraid of thing in general being around his head at first. Even still there are plenty of things I could use this for. I would like to see you and Ozzy work it! :D
Id love to do clicker training some time around if i could find a clicker that is and the time hes so msart picking it up so well you can tell hes trying.
This was so much fun--I would recommend it to anyone. I was using little peppermint flavored bits, but I've also used baby carrots, pieces of granola bars, Cheerios... whatever he's in the mood for. The kind of treat doesn't matter too much, but just keep in mind that this kind of training demands a lot of rewards, so you'll want to pick something that's low in sugar. Good luck--and let me know how it turns out!
what is clicker training? i've been watching videos on it but I don't get it really... someone help, please! (i promise i am not dumb, i just have heard of clicker training and was trying to find more about it, but I can't... heh heh heh :D)
You're not dumb at all! Until a few months ago, I had never heard of clicker-training for horses. Basically, I started doing this with him for mental stimulation and to teach him how to do fun stuff like this. Now, I can use it for practical applications--"scary" things like halters, blankets, and other objects can be changed from "Oh my god it's gonna kill me" to "Hey, I like this thing, whenever I see it, I get treats."
Basically, it's simple. Choose a target and an activity (including that object) for the horse, and reward each step toward accomplishing that goal until the horse does what you'd like.
If you notice in this video, the "target" is the xylophone, and the action is to play the piano keys. At first, I have to reward him for just acknowledging the xylophone; hence, the first treat when he touches the object. The reward should come the SECOND the horse does what you want. The reward should come in the form of a click and then a treat. Once he's touched the target and been rewarded for it several times, I waited until he touched the keys to reward him again.
Eventually, the "click" will be enough of a reward for the horse, but not for a while. At this point, the clicker has more practical uses. Last night--when it was frigid in NJ--I used the clicker to get him over his fear of his blanket. Total blanketing time: 2 minutes. Two weeks ago, I used it to help him overcome his fear of others haltering him. If you start with something fun, your horse will look forward to and enjoy anything that accompanies the clicker.
Ozzy seems to enjoy clicker trainer. He's either really smart or is just highly motivated by constantly eating treats. Personally, I think it's both! ;-)
:) He loves the treats, but he actually really loves the clicker training too. We played this game the other day just as a refresher. He remembered everything, but when I went to put it away, he pitched a FIT--stomping and pawing. Hahaha! He's a funny guy.
Hahaha! I had one of those "My First Computers!" Actually, his next trick will be to knock over and re-stand cones. :) We'll play with that tomorrow or the next day. I'll post our session. :) Thanks for your kind words.
Oh, cool! The cones are fun! I got the inexpensive ones, but I am going to get the more substantial ones from Home Depot, because the others are just too light.
It was anything but difficult! He picked it up so fast that I couldn't keep up with the treats. Literally, this video was the only time we had him working on this--nothing before or after. Best spent three minutes of my equestrian life. We're going to move on to some other funky tasks this week
Well done !
abirdslife 2 years ago
Thanks! This video is actually VERY old, but the skill has stayed with him. In this video, he's about a year and a half. Now, he's three and a half. Two days ago we used the clicker to get through some shots (he's VERY afraid of needles!). It worked out really well! :)
xxxligeiaxxx 2 years ago
Oh wow I some how missed the clicker training videos you have. This concept is new to me, I'm curious how you apply it to scary objects? I do like the idea of playing the xylophone though, how cute! :)
faetastic 2 years ago
Actually, I'll make another video and show you how. Ozzy's afraid of the clippers, and I kind of let it go because he's so good about everything else. I'll make a video using the clicker training as an example if you want. :)
xxxligeiaxxx 2 years ago
Oh that would be great! Hawk isn't terrified of clippers as much as he is afraid of thing in general being around his head at first. Even still there are plenty of things I could use this for. I would like to see you and Ozzy work it! :D
faetastic 2 years ago
beautiful horse
Signai1976 3 years ago
Thank you so much!
xxxligeiaxxx 3 years ago
Id love to do clicker training some time around if i could find a clicker that is and the time hes so msart picking it up so well you can tell hes trying.
HondaThoru 4 years ago
That is so wonderful! I'm going to have to give this a try. Ozzy is such a cutie! What kind of treats are you using?
LastRose23 4 years ago
This was so much fun--I would recommend it to anyone. I was using little peppermint flavored bits, but I've also used baby carrots, pieces of granola bars, Cheerios... whatever he's in the mood for. The kind of treat doesn't matter too much, but just keep in mind that this kind of training demands a lot of rewards, so you'll want to pick something that's low in sugar. Good luck--and let me know how it turns out!
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
what is clicker training? i've been watching videos on it but I don't get it really... someone help, please! (i promise i am not dumb, i just have heard of clicker training and was trying to find more about it, but I can't... heh heh heh :D)
p.s.- Ozzy is gorgeous! oh my goodness!
jellybelly578 4 years ago
You're not dumb at all! Until a few months ago, I had never heard of clicker-training for horses. Basically, I started doing this with him for mental stimulation and to teach him how to do fun stuff like this. Now, I can use it for practical applications--"scary" things like halters, blankets, and other objects can be changed from "Oh my god it's gonna kill me" to "Hey, I like this thing, whenever I see it, I get treats."
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
Basically, it's simple. Choose a target and an activity (including that object) for the horse, and reward each step toward accomplishing that goal until the horse does what you'd like.
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
If you notice in this video, the "target" is the xylophone, and the action is to play the piano keys. At first, I have to reward him for just acknowledging the xylophone; hence, the first treat when he touches the object. The reward should come the SECOND the horse does what you want. The reward should come in the form of a click and then a treat. Once he's touched the target and been rewarded for it several times, I waited until he touched the keys to reward him again.
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
Eventually, the "click" will be enough of a reward for the horse, but not for a while. At this point, the clicker has more practical uses. Last night--when it was frigid in NJ--I used the clicker to get him over his fear of his blanket. Total blanketing time: 2 minutes. Two weeks ago, I used it to help him overcome his fear of others haltering him. If you start with something fun, your horse will look forward to and enjoy anything that accompanies the clicker.
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
(The mistake I made in this session is that I started to reach for the treat too soon making the reward "reach-treat" rather than "clicker-treat.")
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
Ozzy seems to enjoy clicker trainer. He's either really smart or is just highly motivated by constantly eating treats. Personally, I think it's both! ;-)
MustangManda94GT 4 years ago
:) He loves the treats, but he actually really loves the clicker training too. We played this game the other day just as a refresher. He remembered everything, but when I went to put it away, he pitched a FIT--stomping and pawing. Hahaha! He's a funny guy.
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
Great job. That is one smart pony you have there. My Arab picked it up quickly, but not that quick. He's adorable.
MollysMum 4 years ago
How cute. I want a xylaphone too. What's next a 'My first Computer' and teaching him to type:) He's a quick study and beautiful too!
drannahopkins 4 years ago
Hahaha! I had one of those "My First Computers!" Actually, his next trick will be to knock over and re-stand cones. :) We'll play with that tomorrow or the next day. I'll post our session. :) Thanks for your kind words.
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
Oh, cool! The cones are fun! I got the inexpensive ones, but I am going to get the more substantial ones from Home Depot, because the others are just too light.
Judy
icehorses 4 years ago
Superb job on the clicker training!
What a smart horse!!!
icehorses 4 years ago
Thank you for the compliment and the great idea!
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
Looks kind of hard to clicker train. Is it?
Mousenose 4 years ago
It was anything but difficult! He picked it up so fast that I couldn't keep up with the treats. Literally, this video was the only time we had him working on this--nothing before or after. Best spent three minutes of my equestrian life. We're going to move on to some other funky tasks this week
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago
For more info on clicker training, you can visit
h t t p : / / pets. groups. yahoo. com/ group / ClickRyder/
(You'll have to take the spaces out of the address... this thing is giving me a problem posting the website.
xxxligeiaxxx 4 years ago