Welcome to the Horse Play Blogsite.  I regularly publish articles on behaviour, clicker training, massage therapy and rider confidence or other topics of interest.  These are free for you to enjoy.  Your feedback is welcome - there are voting buttons and a comments area.  If you subscribe new articles will be sent directly to your email address.
                                                                                                                                                                                 .    .    .     turning        problems         into      play

Feedback, Comments and Questions

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 13. 2006 and is filed under Blog Help.

Just a quick note to help readers who may not be completely familiar with blogging.  Did you know that you can ask questions and put feedback onto published articles?

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    • Thursday, July 27. 2006 Sharon wrote:
      My Pony has issues with kids and other small things (not me). He is very threatening to the kids and I am wondering what can be done to replace this behaviour. I haven't started using the clicker just yet - I am still fact finding and reading about it as I don't want to start the training without knowing what I am doing. The Pony is only 2 1/2 years old and I would say that this is the only trait that he has that is concerning me. I am going to mouth him this summer but he is already very quiet and has be backed. He was gelded just before I got him (only 2 months ago) and although I see changes happening with him slowly I am having to be very careful when the children and small animals are around him. He will whip his but around and cow kick anything. A Ratbag!! Any Ideas to fast-track this behaviour into the dark recesses of his mind??
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      1. Thursday, July 27. 2006 Viv wrote:
        This sounds like dominance behaviour of an adolescent.  The 'quick fix' if you use the clicker will require that all parties - pony, you and children understand the clicker game, how to react to such behaviour when it does happen and how to shortcircuit it. 

        First, condition the pony to the clicker yourself and make sure that the pony is well versed in food manners.  Then introduce the kids to how the clicker works and the food manners that are expected of the pony.  Actually show them and let them practice with the pony on 'look away'.  If necessary they can do this over a fence or stall while you supervise and the pony understands that they are also in possession of the magic sound that provides good things for good behaviour. 

        Immediately teach the pony to target with his nose - on a hand or some other easily carried object.  This is counter-conditioning he simply cannot present his butt to kick if he has his nose on you.  Teach the kids to ask the pony to target if they are near him.  He will soon learn to target the hand\object instead of being such a little bully.   

        Other solutions to this problem include teaching 'ears forward', head down or stand in a particular 'pose' when approached.  When a horse puts its ears forward it 'cannot' do nasty things, it's a physiological attitude changer, just like its much harder for us to be in a bad mood if we physically smile.  If the kids have time and understand how to apply the clicker\rewards correctly these are things that they can teach the pony.  This will establish them as more important in the pony's mind and make him more interested in interacting with them than getting rid of them. Again, if you are worried about them being unsupervised let them train him over the fence or some other physical barrier.

        You can also teach 'nice' behaviour towards other animals.  All these things are possible with the clicker and positive reinforcement and once you start you may be surprised at how quickly it can happen.  Good Luck
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