“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.”

What is this new leaf I'm turning over in my life!? 


I feel I've been a nicer person, but more importantly, I've been trying to achieve some of my goals. 
One of my life goals, is to learn the piano. I love piano pieces and I would kill for a piano at home; my friend at school is very good on the piano and we've been practicing at lunch times with it; doing one of my favorite songs ''Always Attract'' by You Me at Six. Okay; so I'm still getting to grip with the keys but I can play D G G D G F+ D G G D G so far... so I know where D and G are for sure ;)! I have managed to get a little quicker on the piano, but I don't expect miracles- but I didn't give up. So for me, that's progress. To stop throwing in the towel if I can't do something. Hopefully by putting perseverance into practice on an instrument, it will spare Shadow having to deal with me trying to find myself a little bit more! 




Am nervous as I get my English Literature ( final ) results next Thursday! So am feeling slightly nervous! I felt the exams went okay, but I am keeping a level head over it ( more so as I don't want to upset Karma or tempt fate...!)


It's nearly the weekend and I've got my shaping plan at the ready! Our 'SMART' goal is too; 
'Stand still when being mounted- either on the ground or from a mounting block- at home or outside of the yard'. 


A SMART goal is creating a shaping plan using the following steps; 
Specific- the goal must be accurate and allow us to identify clearly all the elements of the final goal.
Measurable- If we can measure the outcome of the goal, we will assess whether we have completed the goal.
Attractive- We are unlikely to be motivated at working towards a goal which is 'unattractive'. Consider the benefits and the consequences of the goal.
Realistic- Our goals should be realistic enough for our horses to achieve them.
Time-bound - A realistic time scale for successful completion of the goal. 


Shaping plans have always been my downfall, so hopefully these can help me re-organise things and we can get back on track! 




I feel our goal is realistic enough. We're still needing to refresh the use of the cue in ground-tying ( my voice is still not the reinforcing cue), so I need to condition him to my voice cue- once this is in state, we can then continue working toward our goal. 


The time frame for the goal is to have it completed by February 28th 2011. I feel this gives us enough time, weather and time permitting to spend enough time on it. I'm not totally set on the goal, as I can't predict how long it will take, but this is my rough estimated time of completion! 

The Art and Science of Clicker Training

For Christmas I got Ben Hart's ''Art and Science of Clicker Training''; and although I've not yet finished it, I wanted to share how much I'm enjoying it with my blog ( which nobody reads...)!

Back in August I bought Alex Kurland's book 'Clicker Training for Your Horse' and I really enjoyed it- it was a good read. However; I think, at present, I prefer Ben's for a numerous amount of reasons. It makes so much sense to me, a lot of it is re-reading things I've read in the past- yet he gives examples but what I like is that he points out common errors- some of which I am guilty of! But it is bringing me this awareness of what I am doing and I think it's brilliant! It's very readable- he doesn't sugarcoat the truth and is honest about clicker training but through his candour, he provides us with this fantastic read that I think would convert anyone over to clicker training ideas.

I wanted to share a few lines from parts I've read so far- I agree with him and also found it a good summary of some of the points I've tried to get across in the past as well as it just making lots of sense!

The first one is in Chapter 5, when he answers the question ''Doesn't using food rewards cause equines to bite?''
I think wherever you go; people always say that you mustn't give your horses treats, as it will cause him to bite for food- but Ben makes a brilliant point!!

''If food is used incorrectly, the notion that it causes equines to bite appears true. However; if we consider that all equines have their feed restricted by domestication and are given feed by humans, yet not all equines bite we begin to see that food itself cannot be the cause of biting or food aggression. The factor influencing the behaviour of the animal is timing, knowledge and consistency of the trainer- and this has more influence over the animal than food alone.''

I think that is a brilliant way to sum up and justify that us as clicker trainers aren't creating dangerous and evil horses who are aggressive for food- but becoming more aware of the environment we create for our horses and how we influence them. Perfect!

I will do more later- but I'm off to the yard!

See ya!

Amy xx

My 4 P's- Positiveness; Passion; Patience and Perseverance!

I'm having withdrawal symptoms; I've not been out of the house for four days- It's been snowing again; I've got the flu and have felt like total crap! 


To keep my brain occupied; I've spent some time thinking about next year with Shadow and going through my books and looking at some ideas being presented in there for inspiration and tips on what to do. 


We've had a break from clicker for nearly a month- due to bad weather and exams, but that is soon to change because 2011 is hopefully going to be the year.


Shadow is pretty good at groundtying, backing up and moving over- but; I want to refine this a lot more. 
So I've been developing a rather large 'shaping plan' which is going to work towards our main goal- ( it sounds so silly to some, but to me and Shadow- it's huge). 


Walk, Halt, and steer round the school 


So; that is our main goal- the paper consists of lots of sticky notes and arrows! 
I've found that in my life; In general; I'm a really disorganised person- there appears to be no structure- I can mentally link things together; but my head is so unorganised, that I like to write things down- even then, there is no apparent structure to it. 


I am adamant to not follow that trait though; in Shadow's training regime. We've spent the past few months really just having fun- playing games with the clicker, working it all out and just beginning to appreciate the power of clicker- we've had some successful rides this year- out on the roads, but at home; he is not sure on what is asked of him- I think partly he's not used to working on grass; he sees the horses in the field and the roads are a lot more interesting for his inquisitive mind! 




I won't bore you with all my shaping plans- but we're going back from the beginning- the key to having a nice to ride horse, is having good foundations and I want to be extra diligent and ensure I've not missed anything out! So; it's back to the beginning for me; I want to refresh things he's pretty good at, so he can become great at it!! The following are things I'm planning on teaching, in this order ( structure !!!) and I have shaping plans for the all ( but I will be here ALL day, and I really must be doing some coursework and revision too...)

1. Lowering Head on cue ( this will be useful when bridling/ and in-hand work!)
2. Stand still on voice command
3. Back up to voice/light pressure of rein
4. Move over to light touch of side
5. Walk forward to touch of whip on his side/voice
6. Stand still at the mounting block
7. Stand still when I mount
8. Stand still when I'm on
9. Walk on when asked

This is the first few steps we're going to take- this will get us in the school and hopefully help us get round. I was given a few exercises to try with him in the school by a friend; who successfully has worked with her youngster with the clicker! 

I must go, as much as I'd like to stay!

Enjoy;

Amy xxx