Clicker training is an operant conditioning method for training an animal using a clicker, or small mechanical noisemaker, as a marker for behavior. The method uses positive reinforcement - it is reward based. The clicker is used during the acquisition phase of training a new behavior, to allow the animal to rapidly identify that a behavior is sought and also the precise behavior of interest.
Clicker training was originated through Marian Bailey and Keller Breland, who as graduate students of psychologist and eminent behaviorist B.F. Skinner taught wild-caught pigeons to "bowl" (push a ball with their beaks) while participating in military research. According to their work, animal training was being needlessly hindered because traditional methods of praise and reward did not inform the animal of success with enough promptness and precision to create the required cognitive connections for speedy learning. Similar methods were later used in training at least 140 species including whales, bears, lions and domestic dogs and cats, and even humans.
For training purposes once the behavior is sufficiently reliable on use of the clicker, a cue (e.g. a verbal command such as "sit," or "down") is added to the click, and as the response transfers to the new cue, the clicker is no longer needed (e.g. stimulus control is attained). A clicker is just one example of a conditioned reinforcer (secondary reinforcer) or "bridge". Technically a stimulus from any sensory mode may become a conditioned reinforcer (ex. light, smells).
Reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clicker_training (Lots more great info here)
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Chrome is my first horse to clicker train and I've been primarily using Alexandra Kurland's methods, although I am branching out and using other resources as I learn more. Alexandra Kurland is the author of "Clicker Training for Your Horse", which I've read and recommend. She earned her degree from Cornell University where she specialized in animal behavior. She has been teaching and training horses since the mid-1980's. A pioneer in the development of humane training methods, Kurland began clicker training in the early 1990's. She very quickly recognized the power of clicker training for improving performance, for enhancing the relationship people have with their horses, and for just plain putting fun back into training. Today through her books, videos, clinics, and many articles, she has become a leading voice in the development of clicker training in the horse community. (This is not a paid endorsement) http://www.theclickercenter.com/
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Another site I found recently that I'm looking forward to exploring is http://www.equineclickertraining.com/ I really like how she explained clicker training for horses.
"Do you wish you could communicate better with your horse?
Do you wish you could have fun with your horse?
Or do you just want to lie around with him?
Reference - http://www.equineclickertraining.com
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A few clicker training blogs that I highly recommend are:
http://stalecheerios.com/blog/
http://trickponies.wordpress.com/
And some of my favorite fellow bloggers who also use clicker training with their horses:
http://hairy-mare.blogspot.com/
http://trailhorseadventures-judi.blogspot.com/
http://nuzzlingmuzzles.blogspot.com/
I'll add more to the list when I have more time to go through my blog list. :)
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Although I've been clicker training my dogs for years I'm fairly new to clicker training horses, but I am happy to offer any help or advice I can. If I can't answer your question I can usually show you to someone who can, so leave me a comment or email me at myfarmerlife@gmail.com Please put Chrome's Blog or something in the subject so I know it's not spam mail. :)
