I have been attempting to work on clicker training with a target, clicker and treats with Daisy, however my only source of information on the mechanics of clicker training (the "do's and don'ts) was what I could glean from The Clicker Center's free information, and that just was not enough. One MUST get the DVD's and use the techniques shown to get the desired results, and keep the horse from becoming frustrated!
Being concerned for my future safety, I wrote to some horse sanctuaries in our state, telling them about Daisy and asking if they would accept her. Turns out every one of them is full up with sad cases who have been starved, and PMU mares from the premarin-making business. I also posted an ad on Craig's List, being honest about Daisy''s strengths and weaknesses, but...no takers.
So, after viewing the very comprehensive first DVD in a collection of about 19 or 20 by the experienced and capable Alexandra Kurland, I wrote to her and explained my dilemma. I only have the use of one arm right now. I don't trust the horse. I don't feel safe around her. She has many "hates" including longeing, round pens, being led out of her pasture, twirling ropes or any form of what she views as intimidation, etc. This is one abused mare!
Alexandra wrote back, suggesting that I put a string on a basin, and shove it under the pasture gate. I could work from the safety of the other side of the gate, and reward Daisy by dropping treats into the basin. Id the basin got scooted too far inside the pasture and away from the ate, it could be brought back by pulling on the string.
So, armed with my trusty foam square on a dowel and some horse treats, I gave this plan a try, this time following the tips and tricks that I'd seen on the video. No more standing with my hand in my treat pocket! That encourages mugging by the horse. Things went very well. It was the first time that I had felt safe around Daisy! Wow!
There are 6 basic foundation steps in horse clicker training: 1) Target (teach horse to touch a target), 2) "Happy Faces" (reward when one ear, then both ears flip forward, as it is difficult for a horse to be grumpy when doing the equivalent of smiling), 3) Backing (working on backing from very light pressure, then teaching to back in a square pattern and working with horse to teach it to organize its movements in a small space), 4) Lowered head (Teaching horse to lower head to ground, then learm to hold that pose for 10 seconds), 5) Grown ups are talking...please do not interrupt (Teaches horse to wait patiently and not mug you for more treats so horse does not treat you like a vending machine), and 6) Mat work (horse learns to stand with front feet on a mat or piece of plywood eventually for long period of time).
These 6 lessons expand in many different directions over time, helping to teach happy trailer loading, ground tying, patience, to not crowd the handler and a myriad of other lessons.
I presented the target and Daisy touched it, I clicked with my mouth (I was using a real dog clicker until Daisy was very familiar with the click=--treat sequence, then was able to just make a click with my mouth). After clicking, the target was removed, then the treat given,, but low and behind her outstretched head. The horse comes to learn that th position for receiving goodies is with the neck arched and head lowered and towards the chest.
I had been resting my hand in my pocket, where the goodies were, or sometimes reloading my hand with the next treat before presenting the target again. These things will lead to a frustrated horse who mugs the handler for treats. After watching the video "Clicker Training 1" I keep my hand out of y pocket until it is time to present a treat. And there is a space o time after the click where I remove the target and reach for a treat. This interval is necessary for the horse to learn that the treat WILL be forthcoming and to be patient and relax.
I alternated with a bright yellow bucket lid, and foam target on a stick as targets. Tomorrow I'll take the 1liter pop bottle (minus the soda pop, of course) that I painted white and try using that for a target because it is more portable than a bucket lid or foam on a stick. One could jam an empty 1 liter pop bottle into a large pocket in a jacket and have a target when it is needed.
I am four weeks into the soft cast, and have two more to go before the bandages come off. I've promised my family and the surgeon that I will not go in with Daisy until then. Once I can go into her pasture with her once again, I plan to start out asking her to touching the target, which she is very good at, then see if I can progress to haltering her and working on a little backing and possibly a little standing on a rubber door mat.
Daisy makes grumpy faces often, and her head and neck shoot up like a giraffe. It is stressful and wearing for her as well as for me. When a horse's body is often stiff, it is hard on them.
I worked a bit tonight on "Happy Faces" but made a boo-boo! Well, she and I are learning this together. She makes mistakes and I make mistakes. Clicker training is about letting the horse try things to figure out what gets him the click and treat. I get over-anxious and am accustomed to correcting the horse, when what works better is to let the horse think and figure it out. For example, putting your fingers lightly on the horse's point of shoulder and WAITING for the horse to back up. Not pushing the horse. Increasing pressure over time if the horse doesn't get it. And removing your hand at the slightest attempt to shift backwards.
Daisy didn't put her ears forward, which is "Happy Faces and earns a click and treat. I can get one ear forward, but rarely two. She would shoot her head up and both ears would go hard forward at a sound or another horse, but she'd be looking to her left or right, not straight ahead at me. I clicked and treated for the ears forward but now realize that was not the thing to do. When you get a problem...back up to a prior step. In this case that would be clicking and treating for just one ear forward, and the attention on me. The goal is both ears forward, and the chin tucked, neck arched nicely--a lovely pose.
The photo is of a prior day, in the round pen, before my "accident" with her...but illustrates her naturally high head. And that is a "normal" pose for her at the moment. Her head can go much higher than that!
As Scarlet O'Hara commented in Gone With The Wind, "Tomorrow is another day!"
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