Building Bonds One Click at a Time: Positive Reinforcement Clinic on Islesboro
We arrived on Islesboro and Athena got to stretch her legs in the outdoor arena. She used to live here in the summers, so while riding she would look out to her friends. Thank you, Barton, for having us!
Day 1 was great: discussion, teaching the horses targeting with the stall as a barrier so we create a safe environment and to teach them not only what the clicker sound means but also assess their personalities by observing how they approach the target and interact with us. Curiosity is a factor in them “bumping” into the target for the first time. Then we spent time playing in the reverse round pen… getting the timing down, how to use our body language and energy to ask the horse to muzzle target, and working on how to deliver the treats — reading the horses’ body language. For first timers it takes coordination and practice, but the horses (intelligent beings) quickly figured out the click marked the asking of behaviors.
Day 2 of the positive reinforcement clinic on Islesboro was a lot of fun — more groundwork and then transferring the exercises under saddle to create softness. There is a lot of observing, pausing, and reflecting in this kind of work — each horse presents different work for each student. It’s fascinating to engage the horses with activities that are very different from what they currently do and to engage their brain in a different way. Some were very shy and uncertain of the target game, some were brave and confident and enthusiastic to play the games, some were just happy to play along and try a little… It’s all beautiful and good. 💜
Thanks again to Barton and Pripet for the use of the horses and the facility to facilitate this special work.
One of my favorite moments from the clinic: not only do Athena and Jillian look in harmony and in a nice Dressage frame, but they are figuring it all out with relaxation and softness, strengthening the bond between them and bridging the beautiful moments. All these components are a top priority, and when put together it’s just a lovely moment in time, out of many moments collectively, to find this one / to build this one — one click at a time!!!
This is a clickable moment to capture.