Today I did just 10 minutes of groundwork with Alfie which he seemed to enjoy, despite the cold wind and the other two horses following us around the field!
I have never used treats before with Alfie as he has a tendency to climb into your space big time if he thinks you have food so usually hand-feeding is banned. However, after reading and watching a bit about clicker training on You Tube, I wondered how he would respond with food, so with some trepidation I filled my pocked with pony nuts.
Admittedly I didn't take the clicker with me this time as I didn't want a big session with him (field too muddy to inspire either of us at the moment), but he was definitely more motivated once he knew he would get a treat. In fact he was almost dancing with me - moving out of my space immediately I asked for eg back-up, side pass, turn on the haunches. Really following my every move. This was great. He is usually pretty good at groundwork because I did a lot before he was backed and then this has continued with his western training, but with the added incentive of food, he was sharper and more focussed.
Having said that, I then felt he was responding to me purely because of food and I don't like that. Would it lead to him being grumpy if I then asked him at another training session and didn't have food? He wasn't all over me like I wondered if he might be and I only treated him when he had back away from me a bit, but I am not sure I want to encourage the 'cupboard love' element. Hmmm. Dilemma. Would be interested to investigate this further, maybe with someone who does clicker training. Hoping to do this sometime soon.
An iteresting post and "food for thought"! I often wonder about using treats. I would also like to explore clicker training in more depth - I've got the issue at the moment that as soon as Nav is distracted by something, he forgets I'm there and can be quite 'in my space' on the ground!
ReplyDeleteAlfie is like that if he is anxious about something. I can 'undistract' him by making him work, much like you did and getting him 'moving his feet', not much caring where, just moving backwards, sideways, round in a circle - anything to get him back focussed on me. But if he is anxious about something he gets in my space on the grounds and almost walks right through you. Clicker/food I can imagine would be good for focussing on you, as they are very food orientated!! But I don't want that to end up the be all and end all and the only reason they want to work with you is to get the food. Tough one!
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