A person wearing a helmet and riding boots riding a brown horse inside a wooden indoor riding arena.

Family Dog Training Classes Start October 29!

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Family Dog Training Classes Start October 29! 〰️

Clicker Training with Alexandra Mackenzie Doan

Click. Treat. Reward. Real Connection.

Spending time with a horse is always rewarding, but incorporating positive, reward-based clicker training opens a whole new dimension of connection, communication, and play—on the ground and under saddle.

As a seasoned Dressage instructor, Alexandra Mackenzie Doan uses clicker training to sharpen awareness and timing between horse and rider. The click marks the precise moment of a correct response, offering immediate clarity:
“Yes! That’s it.”

This kind of instant feedback builds trust, boosts confidence, and brings joy to the learning process for both partners. Movements become games. Transitions become moments of shared awareness. Horses start to look forward to the work.

What Is Clicker Training?

At its heart, clicker training is a simple but powerful tool based on positive reinforcement.

  • Click — A clear marker that tells the horse, "Yes! That’s the behavior I want." Whether it’s touching a target, stepping onto a mat, or offering softness in a shoulder-in, the click pinpoints the exact right moment.

  • Treat — A meaningful reward, delivered with precision to reinforce the behavior and encourage balance or flexibility. Treats are always earned—and never random.

  • Reward — Beyond the treat, the true reward is in the relationship. A horse that enjoys learning, feels seen, and wants to engage. A rider who listens better, plays more, and communicates with clarity and joy.

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Attend a TWO-DAY CLINIC with Alexandra—at our farm or yours—designed to introduce and deepen your understanding of the Click, Treat, Reward system. Connect with like-minded horse lovers and walk away with powerful tools to enrich your horsemanship.

  • A woman in black riding boots and sunglasses is using a long stick to play with a horse in a wooden stable. The horse has a tennis ball in its mouth, and the woman is smiling.

    Morning Sessions

    Engaging discussions on equine behavior

    Hands-on timing games

    Intro to clicker mechanics and delivery

  • A smiling woman in riding gear holding a black horse with a bay coat inside an indoor riding arena.

    Midday Groundwork

    Targeting games

    Rein aids in-hand through poles/cones

    Trailer loading strategies

    Liberty play with body language, breath & energy

  • A woman is sitting on a light brown horse with a black mane inside an indoor riding arena with wood-paneled walls. The woman is wearing a black helmet, purple long-sleeve shirt, beige riding pants, black riding boots, and black gloves. The horse is equipped with a saddle, bridle, and protective leg wraps. There are some white horse grooming tools or equipment and poles stacked against the wall.

    Afternoon Under-Saddle Work

    Clicker use in dressage transitions and movements

    Encouraging softness, flexion, responsiveness

    Private or small-group sessions tailored to each rider

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A woman wearing a helmet and black jacket walking a spotted paint horse in an indoor riding arena with dark dirt floor and wooden walls.

More Ways We Use Clicker Training

  • Horses learn to anticipate and enjoy movements like leg yields or shoulder-in, often nickering for their reward.

  • Guide through cones, over poles, or target arena letters with confidence and precision.

  • Use only energy and body language—no ropes—to guide the horse, clicking for even the subtlest responses.

  • Reward curiosity and let the horse investigate at their own pace, turning fear into confidence.

  • Dogs, donkeys, and more respond beautifully to the same techniques.

Clicker training is backed by decades of behavioral science and is used worldwide to foster calm, curious, cooperative animals.

Bring Clicker Training to Your Barn (BYOB!)

Have Alexandra come to your farm and introduce your students, riders, or boarders to the Click. Treat. Reward approach. Clinics can be tailored to all disciplines—from groundwork to jumping—and Alexandra is happy to collaborate with your trainer to design the perfect event. Clicker training isn’t just effective—it’s fun. Whether you’re new to the method or looking to deepen your skills, Alexandra’s joyful, clear approach will leave you and your horse more connected than ever.

Contact us to schedule a clinic or private session.

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