Constructional Approach Training for Horses

This is an introduction to Constructional Approach Training for Horses (CAT-H) . We now have a DVD out on CAT for horses so go to our videos or www.equilog.com.au CAT -H has been modified from C.A.T. which was developed by Dr Rosales-Ruiz and Kellie Snider for the use with dogs who were afraid. Just as with the original, we use using pure negative reinforcement with distance being contingent on calm/relaxed behaviour (the reinforcer).

I was asked a question about the differences between Approach and Retreat and also why we changed the name for CAT - it was too important a question - so thanks for that and my response is here in the description - we did attempt to address the differences between CAT and other fear based techniques in our DVD - Here is how we see the differences -

Approach' treats fear and aggression not as behavior triggered by the environment, but as "successful" behavior that minimises or removes the threat. It involves the removal of low levels of threat (specifically, the presence of a person) as a reinforcer (reward) to shape friendly behaviours. When rewarded for friendly behaviours by having a stressor or trigger of fear removed, the horse learns that behaving fearfully or aggressively will not cause this stressor to go away—but friendly behaviours will.

CAT sees emotions as the domain of operant conditioning. Fear and aggression are seen as behaviors maintained by negative reinforcement (distancing). What is responsible for the fear and or aggression and the emotional behavior is the presence of a negative reinforcement contingency, not the trigger. In other words, we are not afraid of stimuli; we are afraid of the consequences.

Typical 'approach and retreat' training is usually done for desensitising the horse to the presence of stimuli. This is not the aim of CAT-H. The aim of CAT-H is to change the emotional response to one of wanting interaction with the stimuli - at all times we are working under the threshold...our aim is never to inoculate the horse to anxiety. We don't want our horse to tolerate the trigger we want the horse to interact and offer friendly behaviours. So our aim is to help our horse respond in a safe way & eventually get to interaction.

The original protocol developed by Dr Rosales-Ruiz and Kellie Snider was / is called Constructional Aggression Treatment, but with Dr Rosales - Riuz's approval, for horses we have slightly changed the name to CAT-H (Constructional Approach Training for Horses.) There is no difference in the protocol, except what was physically needed to work with horses and we do not have our horses on a leach (i.e. for CAT -H ) approaching a fearful object is done a little differently (and has been coined BAT - (behaviour adjustment training).

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• horses

[jerjal]

thanks for your question & as it is too important to attempt to reduce to 500 words I have answered it in the description to this video - in our DVD (of which a teaser is also on our channel) we have attempted to discuss the differences between other fear based methods of training and CAT-H. Simply put we work on behaviour not on emotions. But I hope my detailed response in the introduction assists you with seeing the differences...give it a shot - you will be truly amazed! Julie

[mayleenMD]

How is this different from the existing "Approach and Retreat" method of horse training?

Also, just curious why you changed what CAT meant. The CAT that Rosales-Ruiz talked about was originally Constructional Aggression Treatment, wasn't it? Did you change any details of how it's executed?