How to Teach Your Horse Tricks with Clicker

Clicker training is a way of modifying behavior of a horse using an audible click to reinforce a specific action. When a horse performs the desired action in response to a command, trainers give a click the moment the action is performed and immediately offer a treat. Verbal reinforcement can take too long to register with a horse, since it often varies in the tone and phrasing. A simple clicking noise, however is consistent and easily recognizable. A common misconception is that a clicker is used to command the horse to perform a trick, rather than act as a marker for desired behavior.

1. Choose a treat for which the horse will want to work. Keep an abundance on hand and within easy reach. Remember that the methodology behind clicker training is to reward the horse as quickly as possible for the desired behavior. Ensure you're offering treats to the horse correctly, using a flat open hand. Many people do not obtain the desired results because treats aren't offered to the horse in the correct fashion.

2. Cue the horse using a command with which it is already familiar. Reward the horse immediately after the actions is performed by using the clicking mechanism and offering a treat. Continue practicing this exercise for a few days.

3. Using the same command as the previous step, begin to reward the horse using only the click and do not offer a treat. Keep repeating this until the horse no longer looks for an edible treat once the desired action is performed.

4. Begin using a new command with the horse. Reward successful results only with the audible click.

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