Not annotated - too much to say and the video is already long. Read on for more info.
- The client was having trouble with Brandi crowding at feeding time.
- Horses get hay at mealtimes, not 24/7 access, and there is some resource guarding happening. So, MANAGEMENT CHANGES FIRST: put the hay where you want it, then let horses in. Don’t try to change anything with hay once horses are in.
- Meantime, use the flag to help create distance, because the client is comfortable with using it, and we need an interim solution.
- Except Brandi isn’t afraid of the flag like the other horses. Rather than use fear, I wanted to teach a behavior that is cued by the flag, which is currently a neutral stimulus (or possibly optimistic - she tries to target it at first). I tried a few different things:
- Started with previously known verbal cue “back” along with only enough pressure from stick to move hair on her chest without increasing pressure, and that “worked” (because of already-known “back” cue and body language, not the stick/flag itself).
- Come to hand target when presented (to differentiate between “back” and “come to me,” the concept of “opposites”. Should wait with this until the “wait” cue is better established.)
- Back with flag and wait a second (to start establishing “wait there”, which could benefit from the addition of a mat for clarity).
- Back with flag, wait a second, then come to hand target (this one’s probably not wise, at least at this point - could encourage moving before cued).
Things to note:
- I DO NOT RECOMMEND trying this if the horse already knows what a flag (whip, etc.) is.
- This approach is not a good idea for every situation. While I had an idea in mind, I didn’t have a full plan (not best practice). I wanted to see what would happen and what I’d learn from her responses. Plans and structure are almost always better for learning skills. I felt okay because I know Brandi has no aversive history with the flag and she already had one way to back up. Thinking ahead is crucial, and I now have a more solid plan.
- I ALWAYS go to her to feed so she learns from the beginning to wait for food.
- More head/neck movement than I’d like - pellets may be too much. I will probably use hay next time instead.
- Brandi does pretty well for me, but the client still needs to practice because she’s not generalizing to other people yet.
