Positive Reinforcement Training- Horse Gentle Piaffe

I want to share with everyone how I 'personally' train my horses using Positive Reinforcement Behavioural Training.

I do not use force or lots of training aids, nor do I follow a strict guide line of one particular training method.

My unique training method has resulted in years of using Positive Reinforcement with my horses, since I was a young girl, following my horses lead and using my Body Language with thiers, to communicate with them.

In recent years I have also added a Clicker Toy and Treat reinforcers as my main training aids.
By doing this, I have learned my horses learning has excelled so fast that I am always focusing myself ahead so I can have something to 'offer' my horse.

Horse Training for me is NOT about how fast I can teach my horse to do a behaviour, but about my horse and me 'learning' together and from 'each' other, in an extremely rewarding and fun way to achieve our goals.

I have not trained the Piaffe to a horse before. So it is a challenge in itself for me.
I watched some videos of the typical Piaffe training and I did not like the idea of having my horse jammed up with reins and using continuous tapping at the same time.
One video I viewed had 3 people at one time training one horse...a rider and leg aids, a whip tapper, a head holder via the reins...wow how fun is that for the horse ! ??
From my the perspective, I feel like this would NOT be enjoyable, and really doubt the horse was actually 'learning' how to do this behaviour, rather it had no choice but to do it. Also I did not see the horse given anything in return for its offered behaviour in these videos.

Anyway, here is my little horse Candy and me having a go at learning a 'Gentle Piaffe at a standstill' together, and having a great time doing it ! enjoy !

Cheryl ...

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Horses
• Piaffe
• Positive Reinforcement
• Clicker Training
• Liberty
• Retired
• Rescue
• Body Language
• Feel
• horse
• dog
• jumping
• riding
• pony
• footwork

[doubleclick4048]

I really like this, she shaping is really working well for you!

I also love "nice conversations with your horse"!! so true!

[abirdslife]

@doubleclick4048 thankyou! I love talking 'with' my horses. Many people are also yet to learn to 'listen' to their horses and learn from them xx

[horseideology]

What a great video! I love how Candy is mimicking your movements and gets really into it at the end. Great idea on how to teach this without all the tools and gadgets!

[abirdslife]

@horseideology Thankyou, I am so happy to show people that force and lots of tools and gadgets are seriously not needed...

I know you train horses too and a comment from you is really encouraging, thankyou !!

Cheryl :o)

[horseideology]

@abirdslife training is really entering a whole new era. It's fantastic to see others achieving great stuff too especially like the slower and simpler way you approach things. Always providing me food for thought :)

[abirdslife]

@horseideology I agree, it really is such a thrill to be a part of truly gentle horse training :o)

[abirdslife]

@zubbycat thankyou !! Candy is such a joy to interact with :o)

Most of the Piaffe I have seen in competition, is usually taught with force ie- whips, bridles, barriers etc.

I do not like negative trainings, I think it is cruel to the horses.

[abirdslife]

@BojanglesNL Joyce, do you have a video of Bo learning Piaffe? would love to watch it for more training at Liberty inspiration :o)

[abirdslife]

@Ksturg8929 Thankyou !

[abirdslife]

@Ksturg8929 Thankyou Kim ! Candy is teaching me this behaviour as we go. She is fantastic and like me, gets excited in our 'light bulb' moments !

I love the way she reacts when she has worked it out... in the video you will see me try to give her a gentle touch on her neck, I always do this during training, however, because she was on a roll at that moment and had it figured, she pulls away and like a small child tells me "don't Mum, I can do it by myself" lol... I just love Candy !!