Clicker training = good results

nat17

Minnie, Sam and Dolly
May 30, 2002
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As some of you know I bought a yearling in May called Dolly. I know I have not posted much about her but I sort of lost it when I bought her and have been struggling since but we have turned a corner now.

Dolly was bought un-handled completely, so we worked on catching and leading first, and we are working on feet now. Her feet have never been trimmed and are getting desperate now.

We are using clicker training with the feet and I wish I had used it from the get go! She loves it and understands what I want when I use it.

We are now at the point where I can lift her feet and pick them out, bang them with the hoof pick etc, sometimes with a down in between but now it is consistent. We will soon be ready for the farrier:dance:

I feel so proud of the progress we have made, everything she will ever know is what I teach her, and clicker training has made it so simple, as long as your timing is spot on, it really works. I am also using it for Sam's mounting issue to great results.

Pointless thread really but I just wanted to advocate the method. I have been having a local RA out every week or so to guide me and teach me and I really wouldn't have done well without her.
 
Well done to you and Dolly:dance: I used clicker training to train one of our dogs very very effective as long as you get the timing right:smile:
 
My daughter wants to do this with her foal, do you actually use a clicker thingy or just make a clicking noise yourself, I realise timing is important and I would guess gets a bit fiddley if you've got things to hold?
 
My daughter wants to do this with her foal, do you actually use a clicker thingy or just make a clicking noise yourself, I realise timing is important and I would guess gets a bit fiddley if you've got things to hold?

I started with making the noise myself but moved onto a actual clicker and never looked back. It was clearer and louder and worked better for both of us.

If she wants to give it a go I would get -

  • A clicker
  • A 12ft Lead line
  • Bumbag
  • Fibre only treats

I made do for ages without these things (my RA had them), apart from the treats of course:wink: but once I just got them it made my life so much easier.

I didnt find it that fiddly once I got set up and used to it. :smile:
 
Thats absolutely fab Nat, am so pleased.

I must say, treating stopped Tobes moving off immediately I mounted issues - sadly for us, because he is such a git at times, it then made him learn to plant and nap - needless to say, I no longer treat, but he stands for me really well now!!!!

I think with non mugging horses it is a fab way to go. Dolly will be amazing and you are doing so well with her.
 
Dolly did start to try and mug but I sent her away when she did, and at the end of every training session I put her a pile of treats on the floor to indicate the session is over so she gets it. She does not even go for hands for treats unless I have my sexy bumbag on!

Thanks for the nice comments, you did say it would come in time when I text you crying in distress and you were right:wink: thank you:smile:
 
Glad to hear things are going well with Dolly. I use clicker for some stuff with flip and love it. I did like using the clicker itself but have misplaced it recently and now just use my voice to make a clicking noise and it works just as well. It's also alot easier not having all of my hands full with treats and clicker.
 
Aw Nat that's awesome! Really well done you!

I wish you would post more about your progress with Dolly - even if you think you've lost it cos I learn soooo much reading about what everyone else is thinking/trying out.

So did you get a specialist in clicker training to coach you? I didn't get the RA bit? :unsure::unsure:

Sjp did you click and treat as soon as Tobes stood still by the mounting block? I want to know more details about all this please :wink:

Well done again though Nat xx
 
Well done Nat!

That's wonderful! Minnie loves it too. So does Bixby. Poor DJ gets so focused on the treats that he can't complete the tasks very well and gets very frustrated.
I had a friend make me little treat bags to clip onto my jeans or breeches.

I like to use the Hilton Herballs for treats. They are relatively healthy and not too big
 
Aww thanks for the nice words of support Shetlander:smile:

I got the RA (Recommended Associate of Monty Roberts) out to help me with catching first off and things have progressed on the feet and she suggested we do the clicker training method. I still get her out to help me more on to the next stage, so first with Dolly's feet I used a walking stick with the hook on covered in pipe insulator, to mimick the asking for a lift, then worked up to asking with my hand, and now holding up for longer and generally bashing about like a farrier would.

I dont know if all RA's go into clicker training etc but my lady is brilliant, and I mean brilliant, she even reminds me to breath which is handy sometimes:ninja:

With the mounting issue with Sam, his issue is standing still for me to mount, so I get him stood by the mounting block, click and treat, then one leg in a stirrup, click and treat, repeat and then work up to mounting click and treat and then get off etc. It did work well with Sam but we have not played for a while because someone is trying to sink the south west at the moment:yellowcarded:
 
Well done Nat!

That's wonderful! Minnie loves it too. So does Bixby. Poor DJ gets so focused on the treats that he can't complete the tasks very well and gets very frustrated.
I had a friend make me little treat bags to clip onto my jeans or breeches.

I like to use the Hilton Herballs for treats. They are relatively healthy and not too big

I use a sexy bumbag lol.. which i let no one see me wearing:nerd:

I use simple systems lucie nuts, high fibre cubes and minty lucie nuts as treats. Dolly is not a talented treat taker so we have to post treats in her mouth which is so funny in person:smile:

I could have a go with my Minnie one day, I reckon I could teach her to drive a car with clicker training, she is a clever girl:bounce:
 
I chop up a big carrot for treats. It's surprising how far one single carrot will go when it is chopped small.... something they'd eat in two or three mouthfuls will last aaaaaaages in my bum bag!
 
My little treat bags make my thighs look big lol. Maybe I ought to switch to something more proportionate too...
ThanksJonie.jpg


good idea on the cut carrots to!
 
Brilliant stuff :) It is a great way to work with your horse, and once you start using it and get it working you immediately start to find other things you can apply it to as well.

I think there are a few RA's who use clicker and have done for a while, although Monty Roberts doesn't agree with it. Who have you had helping you?
 
I did venture into this when the cob was stabled for 3 months. It was something for her to do.
Its not a "treat" that's the first thing, horses do not see it the same as what we tend to put onto it. Nor is it a bribe. Trust me the cob cannot be won over or bought by a fibre nut!

We started with target after don't mug me, target is actually very similar to the Parelli put your nose on, my lass started with that to encourage her to be confident with different things.
The main thing i learnt was to slow everything down. I did start with the actual clicker but soon dispensed with it and added my own sound that i only use for this. I had to train myself to link those together to be consistent.

It certainly i feel, stopped us both going gaga when she was so ill.
 
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I think it also gives them something to focus on when they are in unfamiliar situations. Kind of an 'oh i do know this' experience. We took the target with us on in hand walks down the trails. It helped her cross her first creek, etc.
 
I think there are a few RA's who use clicker and have done for a while, although Monty Roberts doesn't agree with it. Who have you had helping you?

I have a brilliant lady called Sheila Reid, I wouldn't be in good place with Dolly without her. She also runs Horse Agility for this area so brings her stuff sometimes so we can play with Sam as well :smile:
 
I think there are a few RA's who use clicker and have done for a while, although Monty Roberts doesn't agree with it.

This i think is quiet sad but common. Other instructors only feel their method works and can't think outside the box they created. One method doesn't fit all and is one reason i could never teach because i couldn't be pigeon holed.

I know of someone who teaches clicker in with other methods. I discovered it by accident if you like.
 
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