Using Start Buttons and Consent Cues in Horse Training

[@doglabdogtraining-gus.8873]

I believe consent in an animals I called " assent", I think that this is more the illusion of consent / assent , because in assent there are alternative behaviors the learner can manifest . Meaning that learners should have the chance to walk away, to have access to to the same food reinforced from a different person or on demand near by, If they don't then you don't have any degrees of freedom and when they lack alternative ways to access the same reinforcer or the desired reinforcer in the learner perspective you are in essence being coercive . I know most people just start training thinking that what they are doing is giving their learner's a voice but when you analyze it , you'll see that the necessary part and building block for assent are not present, thank you, great video.

[@Brookandboo]

Just tried this with Brook , following Rachel’s example with lifting the feet - worked really well - Brook wanted to play this game , after I had finished - goi g to work more on this . Thank you

[@wildandwellbeing]

I like this but I'm concerned that the horse only gets a treat when they say yes. For example in the video with the saddle pad and saddle, he only got a treat when he had the saddle pad on but not when the saddle was taken away. I'm worried it will still be a bit like bribery if I do that with my very food-oriented mare. Any thoughts? Also, if target training - getting a click or treat for putting their nose on things, how much can consent be separated from "ok I'll do it for the treat/ reward"? This isn't criticism but genuine curiosity about how this works.

[@ConnectionTraining]

This is a great question! Well, firstly, I do tend to only reward when they do it because they need SOME motivation to try working through the challenging thing. It's not a problem if they don't do it, but they should get a reward if they do try. Then, I use low value rewards in the training so they're not too focused on the food or pushing through just to get the rewards. But, the most important thing is reading the horse. They certainly will do things they're not happy with for a treat, but they won't do it calmly. You'll see signs of tension or conflict such as grabbing the treat, hesitating before doing the thing, rushing through the behaviour, pinning their ears, swishing their tail, zoning out afterwards, muscle and facial tension etc etc. So, you need to be paying attention to what the horse is saying so that it's a conversation and not just behaviour = food. I talk about it a bit more in this video if you want some more info on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6ioeIJuhNh5pbs Hope that helps and happy horse training!

[@rhene1548]

This is really good information. Thank you!

[@ConnectionTraining]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!

[@grannyhorsetraining878]

Great topic. I would say as a hoof care provider i appreciate a horse that responds to tactile cues given at the chestnut for the front legs and the hock for the hind legs. Some people teach the hoof lifting with mo tactile cue and i really feel it leads to the horse not appreciating the amount of touching and manipulating of the hoof and leg needed to get hooves trimmed.

[@ConnectionTraining]

I agree. I want my horses to be happy to be touched all over, and I teach regular tactile cues for behaviours such as leg lifting and quarters over etc. However, that's the next stage - when working with frightened horses, we start by making leg lifting clear and rewarding and then bring touch in from there. Often we're trying to find a way to get hooves trimmed with their consent before these damaged horses are happy with any human touch. But, as they grow in confidence, these two come together easily until they are happy to be touched all over and we can begin to train tactile cues in a positive way, too :-)

[@DragonbornCanid]

so, if i understand correctly: say i have a horse that doesnt like riding much, and the vet gave green light for riding physically. what i should start with, is target training basics, then teaching him that touching the target (like saddle) will result in the saddle being put on gently, right? but what if the horse panics, because they are still in the learning phase of this process. i wouldnt force the saddle on at all, and now that i am typing it, i can imagine having missed subtle cues from the horse about being uncomfortable or worried! but how exactly would i go about it then? o: do i then start with the target basics, then go to systematic desensitization to the saddle and such, and THEN do the consent training? id love to know, as im going to be adopting a rescue soon, and he is not a fan of riding, is what they said. Just wanna be clear: if the horse under every circumstance dislikes riding, no riding will be done :) i just want to give it a shot at making sure it isnt just psychological fear or something bad happening when ridden, rather than a true dislike for riding

[@meganhinesequine4903]

You may find it easiest to start with systematic desensitization and counter conditioning to the various tack, then target training and take it from there.

[@spamgarbage6999]

Get a saddle fitter bf anything.