Panda: A Clicker Trained Assistance Horse, of Course

Watch the amazing miniature horse Panda as she is trained to become an amazing assistance animal! Alexandra shows us footage from Panda's ... all » first training session and we are able to watch as Panda grows and learns to become a trustworthy partner.
From Alexandra Kurland's DVD HORSES: An Introduction To Clicker Training. www.clickertraining.tv
"Clicker training" is the popular term for the training or teaching method based on what we know about how living organisms learn.
Research has shown that any creature-whether a dog, cat, dolphin, parrot, fish, horse, llama, or person-is more likely to learn and repeat actions that result in consequences it desires and enjoys. So clicker trainers provide consequences desired by their animal in exchange for actions or behaviors desired by their trainers.
We call these consequences "rewards" and the process is called "reinforcement." Clicker training, therefore, is a positive-reinforcement-based system of training.
First widely used by dolphin trainers who needed a way to teach behavior without using physical force, operant conditioning (the scientific term for clicker training) can be and has been successfully employed with animals of all sizes and species, both domesticated and wild, young and old; all breeds of dogs and puppies, cats, birds, leopards, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, and more.
Clicker trainers who learn the underlying principles have at their disposal a powerful set of tools that enable them to analyze behaviors, modify existing methods for individual animals, and create new methods where none previously existed. This flexibility allows the tools of clicker training to be re-invented in new forms that work in a range of situations, and for an infinite variety of animals.
The same principles have also been applied to training for athletes, dancers, skaters, and other people. Called "TAGteach," this form of training uses a click as a marker signal to teach precise physical motions quickly, accurately, and positively.
More information can be found at www.clickertraining.com

[@darste2]

Panda is house trained. She rings a bell when she needs to go out. And, she does have a stall for normal overnights when she's not working. You house train them just like you do children.

[@Alchemical]

Horses live longer than dogs as well, making them a better choice as a service animal.

[@vampiricconure]

Amen, Sandoz! They're less excitible than dogs, have a wider range of vision, and are much stronger than dogs if someone needs help with mobility/wheelchair access. I say why NOT a mini, too! :-D

[@Rachel225566]

wow what a good little mare,she dosent stop to eat grass. gosh miniature ponies are so smart ^^

[@ManzanitaCrow]

My cat has plenty of 'intelligent disobedience' but it's not in my service :-) What a lovely, clever pony!

[@MsGirlee]

God Bless you and all your beautiful horses.

[@eventingchick101]

Wow that was realy awesome. You nust have a lot of patience!

[@Orcaberbrandy]

Fantastic.

[@horsekimmie]

i love it

[@tikidancer1]

God Bless you

[@weechiwonders]

And WHY ever not?

[@Lindabejb]

Is it a Fallabella?