JR Session 45: The Continuing Adventures of Calamity Jane
Thursday, 6/25/09
Wizard banged up his OTHER leg. Right front. It has swelling and some heat. I worked on it for a few days. I cold hosed, poulticed, and bandaged it with standing wraps overnight. He walks sound on it but there is a definite hitch at the jog. This horse is working on a show name of Calamity Jane.
JR, on the other hand, is fit and fabulous. He’s longeing really nicely and after just three short mounting block desensitizing sessions, he’s standing much better.
I also introduced a new clicker training behavior to JR: head down. I taught it by guiding his head down with a carrot. Click, treat. About three attempts and he got it. Smart blonde he is :^)
My plan with JR is to work with some basic equine citizen behaviors, such as opening gates and walking over spooky surfaces. Time to de-green the greenbean.
Rock and Racehorses: The Blog 
You have an award on my blog!
Thanks Marissa!
Oooh! Mind describing some of the clicker techniques you’re working on to un-green your greenbean?
Great suggestion- I’m hoping to devote a few upcoming posts to my ideas on the subject :^)
I am out of horses now, but have been clicker training my greyhounds for 10 years now. I’ve been wondering how it could be used for horses as well. They are so food motivated, I bet clicker training works great if you can explain what you want.
Jen
Thank you for the comment, Jen!
Clicker training works quite well for horses when it is used with the correct expectations. I find it especially useful for working with nervous behaviors since it helps horses come out of their shells. It seems to have limits, though, and I have had more success with it on the ground than in the saddle.
I’ll be sure to check your blog for updates and I hope to share some of my clicker experiences soon on this one.