Any thoughts about clicker training?

Question

Its been too cold and muddy to ride, so I was looking into something else to do with my horse until the spring rolls around. I knew about clicker training in dogs and other animals, and I discovered quite a few sites dedicated to clicker training horses. 
I've read everything I could without paying money for it, and gave targeting a try. My gelding caught on very quickly and within no time he was touching the big red lid I was using as a target for a click and a treat. 

Now here's my question: Target training was cute, and it was fun, but does clicker training really work for improving ground manners or manners under saddle? Before I drop 40 bucks on some crazy book about how to teach behaviours to your horse.. does anyone have any experiance with it actually DOING anything other than producing a cute trick? Does it ruin them? I don't want to ride my horse around with him CONSTANTLY expecting to stop for treats.

Horsemansarts · Accepted Answer

By way of background, let me say that have been riding for 20+ years and my passion is dressage.  I started clicker training horses about 10 years ago.  I teach horsemanship, dressage, and clicker training.  I also wrote a book called, "Getting to Yes: Clicker Training for Improved Horsemanship."

The quick answers to your questions are, yes, I have experience training something other than tricks, and, no, it doesn't ruin them. :-)  As with any tool we employ while training horses is isn't the tool that 'ruins' them it is the person using it!  So, if you put time and energy into learning to use the tool properly you will not have the kinds of problems you envision.  

Here's what learning clicker training did for ME.  It really opened my eyes about seeing the smallest possible 'particle' of change in a horse.  It got me thinking about focusing on what I -wanted- in a horse rather than what I didn't want.  It helped me to understand that if a horse knew what I wanted and believed he/she could do it, he/she WOULD be doing it.  It helped me to see things from the horse's point of view.  All of this has been INVALUABLE to me as a trainer.  Especially when dealing with those horses who are troubled in some way by previous training experiences.  I don't 'need' clicker training for every horse I work with but I figure why train with one hand tied behind my back just to prove I can?  ;-)  

Good luck!
Sharon Foley

SANDY · Answer

any thing you do with your horse is bonding time no matter what it is. when you teach a horse a trick than you give a cue for them to do it, so no it will not affect your horse when you are riding unless you give him that cue to do it. also when you train a horse for tricks than at first you train with treats then you give treats every now and then so that he will not always expect it.i would not spend any money on this idea because you can find all kinds of stuff online and its free. thats what i do in the winter time is teach tricks to my horses and ride when i can.

Anonymous · Answer

I've trained for well over 30 years and have had some very well trained horses.  I think its a fad.  I have never seen it used but do believe that making the right thing easy for them to do and making the wrong thing difficult for them.   I believe  reward when its is needed. Also in discipline, when you need to, make it quick and hard.  None of that tapping, warning and just aggravating him.

Missy B · Answer

I wouldn't bother with it, but I think it's awesome that you're looking for fun and new things to do with your horse.

Have you thought about other things? Mabye build yourselves a little obstacle course, like a trail in hand class?

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Any thoughts about clicker training?

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