17/02/2022
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IS THE TYPE OF REWARD YOU USE IMPORTANT IN TRAINING?
When training with positive reinforcement you give the horse something he likes after he does something you like, to increase the likelihood of the horse repeating the behaviour – you give a reward. For example, your horse comes to the gate when you go to catch him, so you give him a carrot. He’s then more likely to approach next time he sees you in the hope of a tasty treat.
The theory is very simple, your horse does something you like, you reward him and he does it the next time you ask. However – in the words of the great Bob Bailey – animal training is 'simple but not easy'. Choosing a suitable reinforcer (reward) is vital.
All horses have their own preferences and the carrot your horse enjoys may not be appealing to his friend next door. In fact, his neighbour may hate carrots and offering him one at the gate could end up having the opposite effect – it could stop him coming over altogether.
Some horses find scratches reinforcing, especially when they are shedding their coats, but many don’t, and scratching that itchy spot may only work as a reinforcer for the length of time the spot stays itchy!
Some believe that a soothing word can positively reinforce a behaviour. However, if I went to work and got paid in soothing words I think I would be looking for a new job! Conversely, some reinforcers can be too exciting for our horses. Carrots and apples are usually quite a high value food and can cause the horse to go ‘over threshold’ and become over-aroused. All they can think about is eating that super tasty treat and so they don't remain in the calm mental state that allows them to learn effectively.
The reinforcer should be chosen by the learner. It should be high enough value that they will offer behaviour, but not so high that they lose the ability to think. A great way to decide on a suitable reward is to offer a selection of different foods in different buckets around their stable or field and see which they choose to eat first. Don’t forget though, their first choice may not be the best one to use. As a rule, with horses it is best to use the lowest value reinforcer that your horse will work for, too high and you may end up losing a finger!
Remember to introduce any new feedstuff slowly and gradually. You can feed low-sugar treats like lettuce, cucumber and celery to horses on a restricted diet.
Post courtesy of Understand Horses course provider Sooz Foster (Sooz Equine Behaviour and Training). Sooz has some great courses in the pipeline, sign up to our mailing list for updates.
You can learn about training using food rewards and equine nutrition in our courses online.