Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

couldn't agree with you more!!  this is the best explanation and 
clarification I have read yet with regard to this wack 'em business...

If a rider's intention is to gain revenge on or to hurt a horse whose 
behavior is born out of it's natural survival instinct or as a result of 
previous poor "training" then the application of violence or punishment 
will do all damage and no good.  On the other hand, a horse will NOT 
become head shy if you break an egg or use a plastic bat or (if you're 
coordinated enough) a water balloon at a correctly timed moment because 
the horse will directly associate it's rearing with the negative 
reinforcement.  I have seen a trainer tie a small water balloon to the 
top of a horse's head when loading in a trailer to discourage him from 
rearing when it got agitated and it worked like a charm!  

I agree that in addition to the negative reinforcement one must train 
their horse to direct their flight response or negativity into a more 
constructive means of expression, but the first step is to make the 
rearing unpleasant.

Layla, MW.

walkergirl@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> ...."he said that I should tie my horse to a post with a bridle
> on, then raise the bit to the highest hole on the bridle for
> three hours,  do this with each side then at the same time for a
> total of nine hours.  This whacking between the ears sounds like
> the same kind of advice.  Way to wreck a horse. "
>
> The statement above shows a failure to appreciate the difference
> between correction and punishment. They are NOT ther same thing
> at all: CORRECTION (popping a horse for rearing at the moment he
> rears) is immediate, timed precisely with the behavior being
> discouraged.  In behavioral science it is called negative
> reinforcement, and is scientifically proven to be effective.
>
> The 'tie 'em to a post for nine hours and let'em think about it'
> is PUNISHMENT: after the fact.  It is useless because the horse
> has NO IDEA why it is being hurt.  Mostly likely all it will
> learn is to stay as far from that post as possible.
>
> I am NOT advocating beating a horse between the ears so hard it
> leaves a scar.  In fact I'd rather just slap them on the neck
> (or even better, verbally reprimand them IF the horse in
> question understands and respects the reprimand).  
> And for non-dangerous behaviors, I would rather train a horse,
> through positive reinforcement, an alternative behavior: but for
> dangerous behaviors, I think they need to be addressed directly
> and effectively: NO means NO!  
>
> Have you ever spent time with a toddler that keeps doing
> something annoying, and the mother keeps saying 'Johnny, please
> stop doing that' and Johnny keeps right on doing it, and the mom
> keeps saying it, and you end up thinking 'Lord, WHAT a brat!'
> and want to give them BOTH a good spanking?  THAT approach to
> training is what 'wrecks' horses.
>
> ________________________________________________
> Get your own "800" number
> Voicemail, fax, email, and a lot more
> http://www.ureach.com/reg/tag
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
> http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html
>
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
>
> Ride Long and Ride Safe!!
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
>  

--
Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. 
Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! 
http://shopnow.netscape.com/



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=