EP #7 - Classical Conditioning

In the wild, horses learn to respond to signals naturally. They learn that certain events can create danger - for instance, if leaves rustle and a dog runs out fom the bush they learn to associate the rustle of leaves with danger - natural stimuli like this allow the horse to learn behaviour suitable to different events. Russian scientist, Ivan Pavlov, discovered that we can train animals to perform certain acts by conditioning them to stimuli. This week Jody Hartstone -- Grand Prix dressage rider and Equitation Science specialist, talks to us about stimuli and the use of classical conditioning in horse training.

Learn more at www.equinetrader.co.nz

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• classical conditioning
• horse
• horses
• horse rising
• dressage
• Jody Hartstone
• equitation
• Pavlov

[CommanderKei]

@TheDollyMommaClicks The difference of reinforcement or punishment lies in the purpose and intent rather than the action itself. Punishment implies that the horse is doing something wrong, which isn't the case. The whip is a signal, not punishment.

[TheDollyMommaClicks]

When you tap the horse with the whip, you say you are using "negative reinforcement". This is actually a form of positive punishment - applying unpleasant stimulus. The negative reinforcement - removing an unpleasant stimulus to "reward" the desired behavior - comes when you remove the whip after the horse backs up.