Clicker Trained Horses are Happy Horses
Yesterday I was out at the barn to exercise my new project pony, Boomer (Chesapeake Boomerang). My three Chincoteagues currently live outside in a large run-in shelter, and as I mentioned in earlier posts I frequently brush them/tack them up/etc. inside the shed while they are untied. I’ve been stressing lately that building a trusting bond with your horse will cause them to enjoy your visits and not always expect to be “worked” when you show up. I also think that not only that, but the fact that I frequently clicker train my horses while riding them (food and the clicker are fazed out once the desired skill is achieved) makes them enjoy being ridden. They are all happy to see me when I show up, no matter if I have a saddle, a brush or a treat in hand.
I took this short video to demonstrate how being ridden is not a big deal to my horses, they see it as nothing to fear or dread, because I have made it an enjoyable experience always.
Boomer waiting patiently to be ridden
Most horses (especially the ever stubborn ponies) would head for the hills at the site of their “rider” carrying a saddle out to them in their pasture. And if you notice in the video not once do I offer Boomer a treat (or click him), I simply call his name and use a “kiss” sound (I use this as my signal to all my horses when I want their attention: Lets them know its me and to them its a sound that triggers a positive experience). I have never had to clicker train Boomer to behave this way when approached out in the field, it simply is a response from working with him positively under saddle – I’m sure if I attempted this when he first came to live with me he likely would of took off in the other direction. If he had been a “problem” horse to catch I certainly would of clicker trained him to react in a different way – but from day one I gave him no reason to fear being ridden.
From here Boomer and I went on a nice relaxing trailride with my mom and Blitz (Chesapeake Lightning). Boomer had fun racing up the hills – this time he actually beat his big brother (and taller brother) Blitz, he’s got racing potential for sure!
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