| Clicker training is a method or process of training an | | | | Introduce the clicker to your horse. Click then give a |
| animal using a clicker as a marker for desirable | | | | treat. So whenever you make a click, the animal will |
| behavior and rewarding it. It is usually used to mark | | | | get the idea that the click means "treat." The way to |
| desirable behavior. This practice is commonly called | | | | learn this is really simple - just click your clicker and |
| "click and treat" or "clicker training". | | | | then give a treat to your animal. Do this several times |
| The clicker is a plastic box with a thin piece of metal | | | | and soon enough whenever you click, the animal will |
| that makes a short, distinct "click" that tells the horse | | | | immediately look around expecting a treat. Now, |
| they're doing the right thing. All you have to do is click | | | | whenever the animal obeys your command or does |
| and reward by giving a treat to the horse whenever | | | | the right trick then sound the click of your clicker. This |
| he obeys to do whatever you are trying to teach him | | | | sound tells the animal that he did something good and |
| to do. | | | | that he's going to get a treat for doing such. |
| A clicker has a unique sound that most horses have | | | | In addition, you can actually start by teaching the horse |
| not yet heard before. It is also more consistent than | | | | to touch a target or perform the nose-touch. Target |
| using the human voice. A clicker must be accompanied | | | | training is an easy way to know how quickly horses |
| by a 'treat' or a food that the horse loves to eat. Bring | | | | can be clicker trained. A target can be in the form of a |
| a treat that is convenient or practical and not | | | | plastic empty bottle or anything that is easy for your |
| something that's too big. A treat that is delightful and | | | | horse to see and is easy to hold. Grab the object near |
| fresh is very much recommended. Some typical treats | | | | the horse's nose, make the click and treat the horse |
| include: grains, carrots (small pieces), dry breakfast | | | | when it bumps the target. Do this technique several |
| cereals, animal crackers, peppermints, hay stretchers | | | | times. |
| and Valentine's sweetheart candies. There are also | | | | Overall it is really very important to keep every training |
| commercial horse treats available in the market. | | | | session short. Several quick sessions that last for |
| If possible, train your horse in a place where there's no | | | | about 10 minutes or shorter are ideal for this type of |
| other horses around because if the other horse is | | | | training. In the same way that humans get bored with |
| aggressive and tries to take the food away from your | | | | long talks, horses too find it boring to undergo |
| hands, the two animals may become distracted from | | | | prolonged clicker training sessions. Thus, please be |
| the mission at hand. Keep your treats properly sealed | | | | keen enough with the time you spend in training your |
| inside a zippered bag. You can also place them inside | | | | horses. |
| your own pocket or vest if applicable. | | | | |