| Behavioral science tell us that behavior and | | | | treats work, and a good scratching - or maybe just a |
| performance is mainly shaped by "rewards" for | | | | little break in the work can be a good reward. |
| positive behaviour or performance and by | | | | And anything YOUR horse does not like will make an |
| "punishment" of undesired performance or behavior. | | | | appropriate "punishment". It is important that you have |
| This is one of the most powerful tools you have | | | | a variety of possible "punishments" which you can use |
| available for training horses. | | | | depending on the severeness of undesired behavior. |
| In a different article I have written about the | | | | I personally only use my voice - it is the fastest way. |
| importance of clearly defined training objectives. They | | | | And it also gives me a good variety. There is a lot of |
| will make it much easier for you to know when to | | | | room between "good boy" and "GOOD BOY". And |
| react with "rewards" or with "punishment". | | | | the same holds true for the "punishment" versions |
| The most important thing about using "rewards" and | | | | from "no" to "NO" to "hey" and eventually "HEY". This |
| "punishment" in training is timing. Your positive or | | | | requires that the horse has learned the meaning of |
| negative reaction has to come immediately. The | | | | these words - but it sure makes things easier from |
| attention span - especially with younger horses - is | | | | then on. |
| very short. You are looking at a maximum of 2 | | | | The most important part is, that you have to be |
| seconds. You can tell your son, "because you did not | | | | prepared. Whatever you train or teach a horse you |
| mow the lawn in the morning, you cannot watch TV". | | | | have to know which is the first step in the right |
| But you cannot tell your horse "because you did try to | | | | direction - and be ready to "reward" it. And the other |
| nip me in the morning, I will smack you on the nose | | | | way around - you have to know what possibly can go |
| now". | | | | wrong - and be ready for the appropriate form of |
| What are appropriate "rewards" and "punishments"? | | | | "punishment". |
| Anything YOUR horse likes is a good "reward". "Your" | | | | Applied correctly and consistently this will improve your |
| horse is important - horses are different. All kinds of | | | | horse training by leaps and bounds. |