On 4/21/07, Janice McDonald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I am trying to clicker train Nasi. > Then walking back to the paddock he started mugging me and shoving me > around for treats. I was not leading him he was following So I > thought I would trty and clicker train him to just stand quietly. I > think he is catching on! What do you think? I think he is very > smart! A genius :)
I think a lot of people give up on clicker because they get frustrated with the mugging. They skipped the most important lesson of all - teaching the horse to stand still! Gloi will stand still with his head down for minutes on end. You start with one second and add one second per training session until you get at least 30 seconds. Head down, standing quietly is the only unasked (uncued) for behavior that I will reward. Instead of mugging me for a treat he will stand quietly next to me - what a pleasant way to ask for a treat. Leslie Desmond suggested teaching a horse to put his head down to rein pressure from the ground-in case you hit the ground and get hurt, you can take off the bridle and send the horse home without you so someone will come looking for you. Yesterday in the pasture, I taught Gloi to drop his head when I touched his front leg. I was able to get his bitless bridle & reins off with the reins still up on the neck, which is where they will probably be if you aren't riding with split reins. Anna
