tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437348241610519470.post4598033714045910558..comments2023-11-02T08:04:57.357+00:00Comments on Clicker Training Three Baroque Dressage Horses: Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16636162286931270812noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437348241610519470.post-75089332533782182802008-11-22T22:46:00.000+00:002008-11-22T22:46:00.000+00:00Sorry Muriel, luring you way from your blog! I do ...Sorry Muriel, luring you way from your blog! I do read it but don't really know enough about Western riding to comment very much. I must watch the video clips you have put on it, but need to borrow OH's laptop, as this computer has no sound.<BR/><BR/>Normally I don't use the clicker much when hacking out, especially in company. I do occasionally though, to highlight something really good or to try to fix a problem. <BR/><BR/>For example, Grace is nervous of high sided vehicles on narrow lanes, so I will click her when she's alongside them, if she's being brave and steady. It means that she will stop while still alongside them (if they're going slowly) and relax, and I can drop the reins, so that's double reinforcement.<BR/><BR/>They have all been trained to understand and respond to pressure from my legs and seat, and from the bit; it's just that CT reinforces the response - tells them that 'yes, that was exactly the right answer'- so normal cues are understood, and I wouldn't click every right response once the cue was established, even when schooling. Release from pressure is then the primary reward - only the very best, quickest,lightest responses get clicked as well, and so doubly reinforced, so that the cues can become ever lighter and more subtle.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry to hear that it's not going well with Cutter. I think that that's the thing about transitions - if they are right then all the rest of the work is right, but they highlight any underlying issues, such as Grace's longstanding habit of coming above the bit.<BR/><BR/>I've found that if I can crack them, everything else falls into place. The single rein flexions, with imaginary or real reins, are really helping Grace with that - asking for a lateral softening several times before, and then along with, the transition.<BR/><BR/>The main reason I don't use CT much out hacking is because I don't expect their undivided attention then and don't always give them mine. We are both looking around at the scenery and relaxing (hopefully). CT, for me, is very intense, requiring SO much concentration from both of us, to get and keep the timing spot on, but I don't know if others would agree.<BR/><BR/>These are really great questions because they keep me analysing why I do what I do. Thank you very much for asking them.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16636162286931270812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437348241610519470.post-2693033928319480892008-11-22T20:54:00.000+00:002008-11-22T20:54:00.000+00:00I have good question, but then I do not find enoug...I have good question, but then I do not find enough time to update my blog ^-^<BR/><BR/>I have another question for you. When you are not scholing, when you go for a hack for example, do you use CT?<BR/>If your horses are trained with CT, how do they respond to ypur cues, if you arenot using CT?<BR/>Or are you ALWAYS using CT?<BR/><BR/>You are right about transition, my last ride with Cutter I did less than 10 transitions. And they are hard to ride. I tried walk-trot-walk transitions without touching the reins. He went ballistic! This lil' QH has so many emotional issue. I wish I could re-train him ...Murielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05491691754938320621noreply@blogger.com