A practical guide to using reward-based training techniques to create a true partnership with your horse. This leads to lifelong connection, effective problem-solving and joyful performance.

A must-read book for anyone looking for an ethical, yet effective way to train horses.

Science based training is not just a way of modifying behavior, but an entire way of living with animals. A solid understanding of our species' natural history helps us best meet their needs and bring out their fullest potential. With an understanding of learning theory and behavioral science we can really begin to influence our companion's choices in the kindest way possible. Positive Reinforcement techniques allow us to develop a strong bond based on mutual understanding, empathy, and compassion. With the help of ethology, biology, and neuroscience, we can better understand how our horses think and feel. Using all this objective, science-based information, as well as our desire to be kinder to horses, we can reshape the horse-human connection. This book dives deep into the sciences behind how horses behave, learn, and feel with many custom designed charts and diagrams for visual learners to enjoy. There are over 70 instructional worksheets for you to apply this information to real life situations and individual equines. In these, we've detailed how to train a wide variety of ground and mounted behaviors as well as how to address emotional and behavioral problems.

Everything you have wanted to know, but have never had the opportunity to ask, can be found in this book. Ben Hart aims to provide each trainer with a working understanding of clicker training science and technique, empowering you with the skills and knowledge to enable you to adapt these techniques to suit you and your horse. A clear, concise and accessible guide that will help you develop a positive approach to horse training: this is an indispensable illustrated guide to an exciting, effective and positive method of training horses. How does a small plastic box bridge the gap between desired behaviour and effective positive reinforcement, and in doing so greatly enhance equine-human communication? Ben Hart explains the evolution of clicker training from its use with dogs and marine animals to its place in horsemanship. He answers all of the most frequently asked questions and offers practical solutions to some of the common problems that are experienced during training. Ben Hart gives all owners the opportunity to develop their training abilities and to improve their equine relationships. Whether you want to remove bad behaviours, reward new ones, build confidence, improve problem solving skills or just understand your horse better, clicker training is the most positive approach to equine training currently available. Ben Hart explains the evolution of clicker training from its use with dogs and marine animals, its place in horsemanship, and the importance of refining its use specifically for equines. From experience gained all over the world, Ben answers all the most frequently asked questions, whilst solving common problems that are experienced during clicker training. The author bases his approach to training on mutual trust between equine and human, using common sense and honesty to encourage people to follow their own path to horsemanship. He skilfully balances the art and science of behaviour to help anyone develop a positive approach to equine training that works with horses, donkeys and mules. Clear, concise and accessible, this is an indispensable guide to an effective and positive method of training equines.

If you have ever wished you could get your horse to consistently perform to the best of his ability, On Target Training is for you. This effective new method combines the basics of clicker training (widely used on marine mammals and dogs) with a step-by-step target system that assures training success for any breed or any age horse. Karrasch explains reward reinforcement training in a way that makes it easy to learn. She guides the reader through all the basics, including teaching the bridge signal (using the clicker) and employing hand-held and stationary targets; she then cover aspects of training horses both on the ground and under saddle. Training advice is provided for: specific riding disciplines ‹ jumping, Western riding, dressage, and trail; behavior problems; trailer loading; working with young horses; and last of all, just for fun, teaching tricks. Shawna says: “A degree in psychology is not required to train animals. It is, however, helpful. All of the work we do as animal trainers (with horses too) is based in psychology, whether we are aware of it or not. The more you understand about these proven principles the better you are as a trainer. The focus of my training is helping people to gain a better understanding of behavioral psychology and the benefits of positive reinforcement in regards to horse training. I chose to make the move to horses partly due to the lack of positive reinforcement being used with horses. I recognized that horses were not trained the same as the marine mammals. I also saw that the training we implemented at Sea World would be a huge asset to the horse world. A lot of horse people, including professionals, don't know much about the proven principles of behavioral psychology. Therefore, I see a bigger need in helping horse folk to further understand the principles that govern the relationships we build with our horses.. It is really fun to see the light come on!!”

If you understand how your horse learns and why your training is effective, you can train faster, more ethically, and more sympathetically. Emma Lethbridge thoroughly but simply explains learning theory, and how to apply it in a way that is both efficient for training and holds the horse’s welfare paramount. Knowing Your Horse will be a key resource for those wishing to better understand their horse’s behavior, and to make the most of that understanding to improve their training techniques.

Horse training isn’t a mystical procedure. In fact, there isn’t mystery in the methods necessary to teach any skill. To learn any skill there is a logical sequence that if adhered to, allows a behavior to be taught and learned. Creating a Positive Horse consists of using positive methods, which in turn creates a positive attitude. Positive Horses explains those positive methods necessary to create horses that perform on taught/learned cues, both on the ground and in the saddle that are systematically rewarded, but also have an extremely positive attitude to their trainer/companion. The system uses the method, ‘Behavior Modification’. This book is about: • Explanation of basic educational methods using systematic sequences that support training horses. • Creating the goals and objectives for each individual horse rather than a “one size fits all” approach. • Training using positive reinforcement— how food rewards creates useable cues, instead of the trainer performing meaningless behavior that the horse doesn’t understand. • Horses learning basic cues: come, stand, walk on, and halt, which provides safety on the ground and assists in the next work in the saddle. • Applying basic training to other equestrian disciplines. • Addressing training method failure, because the trainer doesn’t assess the correct the behavior to reward and doesn’t understand the methods. • Horse case studies exemplifying the use of behavioral methods.