The effect of the combination of various training methodologies in horse training on the learning performances of Arabian horses

Abstract

This research aims at examining the learning performance of Arabian horses with the use of Join-up, Parelli's Seven Games, and Clicker methods in combination and separately. In the research, thirty-six Arabian mares were examined and combinations of training methods were applied. Before and after the application of each training method, horses were directed to pass through a narrow-spaces and to walk on a tarp. While applying training methods, stress parameters, behavioral responses, and learning responses of horses were evaluated. The highest heart rates of the training groups were being during the application of the Join-up method. When the Parelli method was performed last, the training duration was 13.3% shorter. In walk on tarp task, the highest success score was in Clicker Method (75%). In the triple combination of training, when the Join-up method was performed last, task success rates decreased (33.3%). However, when the Join-up method was performed first, the success rate was 100%. When Parelli's methods were applied last, conflict behaviors were prevented, all horses learned vocal cues, and trusted their trainers. During the application of the Clicker method, all horses learned vocal cues and trusted their trainers. It was concluded that the order of methods is so crucial.

A Preliminary Study on the Investigation of Learning Ability of Arabian Horses Through

“…This situation reveals the importance of benefiting from the curiosity behaviours of horses in training. Thus, there are many studies on the positive effect of the clicker method, which is based on curiosity behaviour and supports the training of horses by following the target stick, on the habituation processes of horses 24,25,26,27,28 and was reported to be a popular technique used in pet training today. 29 In the startling novel object test, the rate of interest toward the object was lower (80.00%).…”

The Efficacy of Clicker Method During Desensitising Horse

“…Sankey et al (2010) state that horses trained with positive reinforcement also show more positive behaviors in their subsequent relationships with people. In training studies on horses, it has been reported that positive reinforcement supports learning by motivating horses' behaviour (Hockenhulla and Creighton 2013), increases the welfare of horses (Bornhede 2010), is a safer method because it increases the welfare of horses (Slater and Dymond 2011), they have exhibit less frightened and threatening behaviors (Danışan and Özbeyaz 2021) and they are more willing to participate in training (Innes and McBride 2008). Freymond et al (2014) also report that in horses they trained for various exercises, negative reinforcement groups were more nervous and experienced more negative emotions than with positive reinforcement.…”

“…Flannery (1997) states in his study that the rate of performing the tasks correctly was higher in the clicker group. Danışan and Özbeyaz (2021) who compared three different training methods in horses in their study, found that obedience behaviour and the rate of success in the task were higher and startle-threat behaviors were lower with the clicker method. McCall and Burgin (2002) and Williams et al (2004) reported in their study on horses that the clicker method did not reduce training time compared with using only food as a primary reinforcer, and there was no difference between the groups in terms of the forgetting time of the behaviour.…”

“…Finally, the clicker acts as a bridge between behaviour and primary reinforcer, indicating that the primary reinforcer will come (Pryor 1999, Pryor 2005, Skinner 1938, Williams 1994. The potential of the clicker stimulus to improve animal learning may not only increase the rate of behaviour acquisition but also reduce animal frustration and further enhance the relationship between trainer and animal (Bartlett 2010, Lindsay and Wood 2007, Bornhede 2010, Ferguson and Rosales-Ruiz 2001, Danışan and Özbeyaz 2021. Today, the clicker method is successfully applied in the training of many animal species such as dogs (Lindsay andWood 2007, D'Onofrio 2015), pigs (Paredes-Ramos et al 2020) mice (Leidinger et al 2017), goats (Langbein et al 2007) and horses (Danışan and Özbeyaz 2021).…”