Alexandra Kurland Clicker training clinic

[Heather]

Hi all,

Alex Kurland, the world's leading clicker trainer of horses, would like to come to my place to do a clinic later this year- date to be finalised yet. Alex has become a good friend and her work is fascinating. We had a great time last year at her clinic. Anyone interested? You don't need to bring a horse as we have plenty to use- just yourselves!

Heather

[Rakeli]

I'm interested! Don't know whether I'd be able to come though...unless it was evening or weekend. But it might be too scary.

[issy]

Me. I'm interested.

[Susan C]

If only you were nearer. PLus I had more days in a week.
I am voting for a 5 day weekend and a 2 day week for same pay!!!!!!!!!

But on similar note.
I tried Clicker training with Flynn when we first bought him. I read the book, and started simple. But I had to stop, as I was being mugged by him, near held up at gun point for the carrot strip!

I tried Clicker sites fro advice but got no help or support at that time.

Am I stupid?? as I thought this was such a great way to work with my horse.
By the way the dog took to it easy peasy.

[ros]

:)

[intouch]

Did you start by using a target? I did a little bit with Sunny when he was going through his stroppy period, it worked a treat (!) but he never got a reward if he demanded it, I would walk away from him, and only rewarded when he did something I asked for. To begin with he was really funny - when I went into his stable he would ask - would you like this foot? that one? shall I back up? turn on the forehand? where's my darn target Mum? But once he twigged that he only got a reward when he did something I asked for, he calmed down.

[Peace]

Oh, Heather, if I weren't an ocean away, I'd be there in a flash! I'd like to see it done with horses before I try it myself.

Susan C - Like you, I've used clicker training with my dogs for years with great success. (Except I used a whistle - I'm not coordinated enough to juggle lead, clicker and treats in my hands.) Even when my Great Dane or my German Shepherd tried the mugging business, it was no big deal to resist until they worked out that being pushy got them nowhere. But I'm not so confident trying it with my new half-ton baby, especially since he's a mouthy critter to begin with.

[Nickie]

Me me me me me!!

I want to come!!


Awaiting further instructions!! :D (Just to get a click!)

Nicola

[Kerry's Partner]

Sorry - I don't think this one (even if Kerry stays really well) would help Kerry much at all. She just needed to know that she WAS good - but I strongly suspect if we overdid that she'd return to bullying - and that's what I suspect caused her mistreatment in the past.

Sandra

[Heather]

Will post all details here once I know them, folks.

Heather

[Susan C]

Originally posted by intouch
Did you start by using a target?

Yes I did, dont laught we blew up a bag, tied it up in the stable and he had to touch that. Which he learned real quick.
Melissa & I were so pleased.
But then he was mugging us, for a treat, yes he thought, Ok I need to do something and he kept touching the bag, but not being asked then nearly stripping us for the carrots which he could obviously smell.
He seemed to lose all sense of any reason ( if a horse has that of course but I am sure you will understand what I am saying)

It got so he could only see us a treat givers.
So before we got ourselves into deep and 1/2 ton of horse being stupid and nearly a bully was not what we wanted.
We stopped it.



I did a little bit with Sunny when he was going through his stroppy period, it worked a treat (!) but he never got a reward if he demanded it, I would walk away from him, and only rewarded when he did something I asked for. To begin with he was really funny - when I went into his stable he would ask - would you like this foot? that one? shall I back up? turn on the forehand? where's my darn target Mum? But once he twigged that he only got a reward when he did something I asked for, he calmed down.

I think we tried it too soon before we knew him and that he needed firm handling. As he can try to use his size against you. He can try to walk through you if he feels he can just do it. Which I find unacceptable.

Now my farrier did animal behaviour handling with him, the 2nd time he was shod. Now that worked a treat, learning to respect our space as a mare would do in the field.

I think in all honesty I need to see this more, ask questions but see it through better then we did at our first attempt.

Now the dog is different, she wants to please and hang onto my every word. That makes training much easier. She is a GSD and very quick and responsive. Unlike the full ID hippo I have at the stables.

If you can offer good advice I am always willing to listen and rethink this approach.But I dont want to have too many things on the go at once, not good for Flynn or me

[intouch]

There's a very good Yahoo group on clicker training for horses, might be worth your while having a look at it. Maybe you could reward for head lowering, or looking away from you. I think you have to limit the training periods, too - right, thats it, finished, no more treats. But I agree an ID is a bit big to argue with! Any photos?

[CT]

Hi Heather

Count me plus 1 in.

Can you let us know if it's a 1 day training course? That might allow some people to catch the first train down, and go home again the same day?

Cheers

Caron

[Heather]

HI Caron,

It will be Thursday evening lecture, and then Friday and Saturday. I am not allowed to use my school for commercial purposes on Sundays - very close neighbours as you know, so would have to do it over the two previous days.

One of us can of course pick you up from the station and drop you back, so no problems there!

Heather

[CT]

Hi Heather

Thanks for the info and the offer of a pick up etc.

Karen and I would love to come, it just depends on the dates.

Cheers

Caron

[Sutton]

Heather - I remember seeing you on the Friday night at Alex's clinic at the unicorn centre. I wasn't able to do both the Saturday and the Sunday cos I couldn't afford it! I would like to come to yours but again it comes down to cost and I don't really know where you are - abject apols for not checking first!

[Heather]

HI everyone,

I think that Alex will be doing a beginners clicker course here and then an advanced one for those who have been on her clinics before, but that will be furthre upcountry. Keep you posted as to dates and prices.

Heather

[alexis]

Originally posted by Heather
HI everyone,

I think that Alex will be doing a beginners clicker course here and then an advanced one for those who have been on her clinics before, but that will be furthre upcountry. Keep you posted as to dates and prices.

Heather

The 'advanced' clinic will be in Oxfordshire/Berkshire it will not be limited to those who have been on Alex's course before but it will be for those who are already using the clicker with
their horse.

I will be the organiser as the wonderful Carol Dent who organised
the first UK Alex clinic in 2002 is too busy to do so this year.

Once we have dates I'll be able to give you more exact location details.

Alexis Haines (ah72@rl.ac.uk)

[Heather]

Many thanks Alexis,

Those who want to come to Devon, get in touch with me as I will be organising the beginners course down here, and you don't need to bring your own horse.

Heather

[pentroon]

Hi Heather

I would by very interested in attending the course on Clicker Training. It will depend on dates and cost.

I have your book and Alex Kurlands book on Clicker Training. I have found them both excellent. I have only just started clicker training with my 22 year old mare, but have already had some good results. It was hard at first as my mare has had some bad times in the past and is fearful of new things.

I found Alex's words very helpful that the horse will enjoy clicker training because they will always be the winner.

Best wishes thanks for all your work

Pentroon

[Nich]

I'm definitely interested - but would prefer the oxford/berks venue. I'm using the book but not got far yet.

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Susan C


But on similar note.
I tried Clicker training with Flynn when we first bought him. I read the book, and started simple. But I had to stop, as I was being mugged by him, near held up at gun point for the carrot strip!

I tried Clicker sites fro advice but got no help or support at that time.

Am I stupid?? as I thought this was such a great way to work with my horse.
By the way the dog took to it easy peasy.

Susan I was talking to someone and they said the thing with clicker training is that they start to work things out (as we are making them use their brain) and use it to their advatage like opening stable doors :D

I started using it on Rhi to stop her in the cart. It worked in the arena. No sense on the road though. She is getting better at this. The other thing I usd the target training on was to load her. I guess she soon learnt this one as everytime she got a carrot for moving forward she took ten back :( Now she won't even go in the trailer for the target or carrots :( Talking to her instructor she said that Rhi is the type of horse that can work things out and once learnt throws it out of the window.


Her latest trick is when she gets her tongue over the bit she will not move until either she has got itback or you put it back for her.

[Wally]

Jumpig up and down...b'doing , b'doing! hand in air, ME, ME, ME PLEASE!

When, PLEASE say October-ish! I may make it down south then, If you can run an EETT course side by side I'll do both!
I have got the book..like Heather's and found it has worked wonders.

I didn't get a Shetland pony on a mounting block from Heather's book:D :D but From Alexandra's

But then I got 34 inch Shetlands to respond to 3 year old kiddie's seat aids on the lunge from Heather's book!

[Louise_T]

Me, me, me!!!!

Not sure if I'd be best on the beginners course or the other one - we've done little bits of clicker work at home - targeting, head lowering, backing up and we're just starting on a bow.

Which course would be more suitable, do you think?

[Hels]

I'm definitely interested. Please keep me posted.

Helen

[alexis]

See

http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/members/forums/index.php?showtopic=59

Linda also has a demo with Alex in October

Alex Kurland's clicker lecture/demo will be held at Osbaldeston Equestrain centre, Mellor Blackburn, on the evening of 21st October 2003

Tickets can be bought from Linda Pearson tel:01706 215567 or by post 10 Turnhill Farm, Dean Lane, Water Rossendale, Lancashire BB4 9NL.


Lecture demo starts at 7.30pm, and likely to last til around 10.30pm'ish

Note sure what EE have planned with Alex.

HTH

Tickets are £13 in advance (or £6.50 for children under 12), or £17 on the door.
Payment is by cheque and sae - cheques made payable to Linda Pearson.