Starting Them Young: Clicker Training Foals

In this year's Practical Clicker Training series, I have shared tips for teaching horses a variety of behaviours based on the foundation lessons of clicker training and positive reinforcement. I have sought to encourage owners to try this alternative to traditional means in order to improve their relationship with their horses and make learning a fun and cooperative experience. Clicker training can elicit results from horses of all ages and stages of training, including newborn foals. I recently spoke with a friend and fellow “Click That Teaches” coach, Jen Digate, who had the opportunity to start her foal, Rune, with clicker training right from day one. Here, she discusses her choice and experiences so far. Pony Fairy: Why did you decide to start clicker training your foal? Jen Digate: I was dissatisfied with the roughness shown in conventional foal training I had seen, and knew from my years of experience…