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Discussion on How many using clicker training?
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New Member:
Redmare
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 2, 2004 - 11:50 pm:
Hi All-
I am a new member and am already spending far too much time reading the posts and articles on this site.  ! I am an equine clicker trainer and natural hoof trimmer in California. I am passionate about my work, and look forward to sharing and learning with all of you. I'd like to know how many are using, or would like to try, clicker training?
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Member:
Miamoo
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 7:31 am:
I am certainly interested in hearing more about it with horses. I have used it with dogs with good results but not my horses.
Ella 
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Member:
Redmare
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 9:12 am:
Hi Ella-
It's great fun! Most horses love food  so it's a powerful motivator. I use this tool for everything from basic ground work to riding. Clicker methods piggyback onto any positively based training program, and work especially well with natural horsemanship exercises.
There are two great information sites: https://www.clickryder.com had zillions of articles anyone can access, while https://www.theclickercenter has good basic info as well as books, videos, and equipment for sale.
I took my dog to a clicker class a couple years ago and we really enjoyed it. Now whenever I work with the horses she sits obediently at my side, wondering why I have only carrots in my bag!
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Member:
Lhenning
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 10:37 am:
I first used clicker training to get my horse to hold his head properly while bridling. I didn't use a clicker, I just conditioned him to think of food when I say "good boy". Since then, I have used this training to teach him to pick up his feet for trimming and it worked like a dream. He now picks up easily. I also use it while riding, and since he is conditioned to the praise it doesn't matter if I give the treat right away. I give him the treat when I dismount, but only if he hears "good boy" while I'm riding. I feel I am getting a favorable response more often with the clicker training than I was before I used it. It really zero's in on the correct behavior and communicates to the horse exactly what you want him to do.
I am now training a five month old puppy and using the same technique with great success. I've also been using it on my husband, who is very food motivated, but of course it has to be done very covertly as he would object to be "trained" if he knew. LOL I'll let you know how that goes.
Happy trails.
Linda
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 11:02 am:
It sounds so great! I've seen it in books, etc. but it is a little hard to get the whole picture that way. Anyone in NW New Jersey that uses clicker that might want to teach/demo how it's done? I belong to a few horse groups that I'm sure we could put together an audience.
Sounds like a kind, low stress way to train. I am very interested!
Erika
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 11:22 am:
I used the clicker/ treat training on a young horse just to play with him.. won't do it anymore.. it made him very mouthy.. looking for treats regardless of the clicker... he did learn to bow, shake, and touch a ball that i pointed him too.. circus stuff.. but the reward of the treat was just tooo tempting for him there after...
fun stuff tho.. Ann
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Member:
Miamoo
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 1:44 pm:
I guess Ann's issue is my biggest concern. I have a two year old that gets mouthy if hand fed. I don't want to exacerbate that issue.
Ella
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Member:
Roberts
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 8:02 pm:
I've used clicker training on 3 horses and a pony, you can really get an idea of a horse's intelligence by comparing how quickly they catch on. However, one thing that is easy to teach is for them NOT to be mouthy. You make sure that YOU extend the treat, they don't come to you to get it. But also, you can teach them to turn away. You just hold the treat in front of their nose but keep moving it away, very soon they will look away for a second, turn their head, or move away from you in some way. AS SOON as they do that you click and give them the treat. VERY soon when you hold out the treat, they will turn their head away from you, or arch away, whatever behavior you've reinforced. Mouthiness is simply not a problem if it's handled correctly, in my experience.
Sharlene
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Member:
Redmare
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Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 11:28 pm:
Wow, lots of interest in clicker training!
Linda, sounds like it's really working well for you. Other people use a verbal sound instead of the click; as long as it's consistent the horse understands just as well. Good luck with the husband!
Erika, have you heard of the Clickryder email list? If you go to the link in my earlier post there should be a way to join. It's a fun, supportive bunch of people, many of whom are on the East Coast and could potentially help you.
Ann and Ella, Sharlene addressed your concern in her post. That is the same thing I do. Mugging is a common complaint/concern, so common that I wrote an article about preventing it. The article is published in this month's Gallopin Gazette which can be picked up free at Bay Area, CA feed shops or read in PDF format online at https://www.gallopin.com.My article is in download #3, page 29.
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