18/05/2023
“When the horse WANTS to do something, he starts going above and beyond. He starts to offer more effort and energy, and loves participating in training”
🔥🔥🔥 YESSSS I love this and 💯 agree because it’s true and I have experienced it in my own horses 🙌🏼🤩
“I want my horse to be in this for me, not the food”
👆This is a really common concern for people when they contemplate trying out positive reinforcement🥕
Let’s take a closer look at this from a scientific lens 🧐
If you haven’t been using any food in your training, and you’re interacting with your horse in a standard way (haltering, leading, grooming, riding, groundwork, etc)…
What’s the motivation for your horse doing what you ask?
Is it truly “for you”… or is he *responding to the release of pressure?*
Of course, horses can absolutely enjoy aspects of their time with people. But even so, the primary motivation for performing numerous tasks that expend lots of energy? ➡️ Seeking a release of pressure. We’re not saying this is wrong or bad… we’re saying, objectively, that’s the motivation.
Now, when positive reinforcement in the form of food rewards is the primary motivation, things start to change drastically in ways you may not expect! 💫
Using food rewards, your horse is gaining something that HE wants on an instinctual level. Food is a primary motivator based on physiological needs 🐴
When the horse gets something so desirable out of his time with you, something magical begins to happen ✨ well, it feels magical anyway! But in reality it makes total logical sense:
He begins to offer you even MORE than you’re asking for.
When you use pressure and release, the horse essentially must do what you want in order to experience relief.
Whereas with positive reinforcement, he has a *choice* and the opportunity to get something he wants.
When the horse WANTS to do something, he starts going above and beyond. He starts to offer more effort and energy, and loves participating in training 🌱
Kind of like how you may do the bare minimum at a job you need, just to pay the bills…
But you’d put in longer hours or more creativity into a passion project that fulfills you deeply 🌸
As much as we’d like it to be true, horses don’t do everything just for us. They have their own wants, needs and desires. When you give back by motivating him with something he wants, you’ll find that both of you are more fulfilled ♥️
— MM team 💫