> You had mentioned that one problem you had with "clicker training" > was that Trausti backed up for hours? after being clicker trained to > back up. After we taught Dari to turn on the forehand (definitely > not with clicker training) he started to turn on the forehand every > time we came to a halt, of course thinking he would please me.
I've had the same experience with teaching a side pass, once they get it... for a couple of minutes they think that every time I put my leg on them they should side pass. I don't go on side passing/backing, or whatever, for hours because I have a mind set that the horse is ruined by some distant training method.... I'm doing it right, and by god he'll do it my way. I just briefly redirect the horses energy and go back to sidepass, multiple times, eventually the horse realizes that every time I put my leg on doesn't suddenly mean side pass. It doesn't take letting/making them sidepass for hours because they think that's what you want.... if you want to "help" them understand the difference. IMO this is a pretty common confusion previously C/T or not. I think you betray your horses' trust by allowing/making them go on for hours. If what you're doing doesn't get the results you're looking for you don't keep at it for hours, isn't that a pretty basic covenant of considering the horse in training? I'm sorry that Trausti and Eitill had to endure hours of backing/sidepassing due to miscommunication and a rider too stubborn to accept what they were using wasn't working and try something else, return to successful point, and go forward with a new plan. Basic horsemanship stuff. IMO, making a horse back for hours (if a horse backed for hours to his mind you WERE asking for a back) due to miscommunication, and a mind set that I'm asking correctly and by god this horse will comply with my request, borders on abuse, maybe that is too light, it is abuse. Cheryl ToltallyICE at Sand Creek Icelandic Horse Farm Icelandic Horses and Icelandic Sheepdogs email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.toltallyice.com Idaho
