A question...

[Portia]

For those with NH experience.

Today B was loose in the pen. I 'd taken off her rug to let her enjoy the sunshine, and gave her a gentle brush whilst she was still loose. I quite like doing this, it gives me insight as to whether or not she does actually enjoy being groomed - based on my [novice] theory that if she didn't, she'd move away. She stood still, and attempted to groom me when I hit her itchy spots.

Decided to play a very amateurish game, just backed her up maybe ten steps, moved her around (she crossed her back legs to comply) a few times each side...on all the occasions she did as I asked I gave a 'good girl', rubbed her head and gave her a treat.

My questions: a friend was watching (I didn't know at the time), and said Mrs B had moved merely to gain a treat - had she?
Also, stopped after maybe 5 minutes as she started yawning, so I'd either bored her to tears, or had she found it stressful?

[inhs]

1. try it without a treat, she might also be doing it cos she liked the rub :) she prob was also doing it for the food as well (ie if someone said to me, come over here and I'll give you chocolate, I'd be there!)
2. I like horses yawning.. I think they're chilled out & relaxed in your company :)

Have you read about positive & negative reinforcement?

[Crystal Fire]

My first thought was, if she did it for the treat - so what? Wasn't the point that you were both chilling out and enjoying yourselves?
Maybe your friend would like to bring her horse into the pen loose next time you're together and show you how her horse moves as she asks, for treats or rubs or whatever. ;)

[Portia]

Have you read about positive & negative reinforcement?

Thanks all, and yes, a bit; understand it's a behaviourist technique the ideal of which being to reinforce positive behaviours rather than negative ones?
CF, i have a sneaky feeling her boy would push into her space and mug her for carrots :)!

As I said, am very much a beginner with this, just enjoy spending quiet time interacting with her, and have learnt so much from her ie. her awareness of [and responses to] every nuance of body language and attitude.
They must find us such confusing and unsubtle creatures.

[inhs]

not exactly.. positive reinforcemennt means adding something good - so if horse does something you want, give them a rub or trest, etc.

negative reinforcement means take something negative away... so if you want horse to do a hindquarter yield, you apply a little pressure with your heel behind girth, when you horse does what you want, you take away this pressure (ie put your leg back where it normally is)

i think you sound like you're doing a great job :)

[ameliet1971]

As long as you where both enjoying the games and your horse didn't try to mug you for a treat, don't worry about it. The most important thing is you where spending quality time together.

As for the yawning, this is a very good sign that your horse had released any stored up tension he'd got before your playtime together - so well done.

My horse yawns more or less constantly each time he has a massage. :)