Employing Positive Reinforcement Techniques in My Highly Competitive Show Jumping Steed
In the equestrian world, a new training method known as r+ training is making waves. This innovative approach, championed by trainers like Shawna Karrasch, aims to make training sessions feel more like a happy game rather than a serious, consequence-laden session.
One practical application of r+ training can be seen in the transformation of horses like Albert, who used to get edgy in the cross-ties when in new environments. By reinforcing desired behaviours with clickers and treats, Albert learned to stand still and relax in the cross-ties, eliminating the distressing "Cross Tie Dance."
The goal of r+ training in this context is to teach the horse to stand still and relax, a skill that is essential for competition horses. Traditional methods of getting a horse to stand still, such as stopping its movement and putting it back, may not effectively cue the horse to relax. In contrast, r+ training encourages the horse to find a relaxed frame in the trot, making the horse want to stand still.
Shawna Karrasch, a proponent of r+ training, offers a wealth of resources for those interested in learning more about this method. Her blogs, podcasts, and appearances on the Equestrian Voices podcast provide valuable insights into the world of r+ training.
However, it's important to note that misuse of r+ training can result in a horse becoming overly dependent on treats and losing respect for boundaries. Polite boundaries should be set in r+ training, such as teaching the horse to walk with space, not in front of, or reaching into the trainer's space for treats.
In r+ training, the clicker becomes a precise tool, allowing the trainer to pinpoint the exact moment the horse behaves as desired. Creating significance for the clicker is crucial, as it helps the horse associate the sound with positive reinforcement.
Moreover, r+ training involves using the horse's "happy hormones" instead of leveraging the fight or flight instinct. This approach activates the horse's feel-good hormones, combatting natural anxiety in the horse's training. In about 5 minutes, Albert was standing still, lowering his head, and looking soft and relaxed in his eye and jaw, demonstrating the effectiveness of this method.
Shawna's approach to r+ training allows for the use of traditional riding aids while still reinforcing desired behaviour with the clicker. This integration ensures that the horse continues to respond to the rider's commands while also learning to associate those commands with positive reinforcement.
In summary, r+ training is a powerful tool that can transform the way horses are trained, making sessions more enjoyable for both the horse and the trainer. By reinforcing desired behaviours with positive reinforcement, trainers can improve horses' performance, enhance their willingness to learn, reduce stress during training, and build trust between the horses and handlers, especially for competition horses.
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