What is a Clicker

  The Clicker is a hand held trinket that is used to mark a certain behavior when the behavior happens.  Clickers are known to be very precise for exactly what you want.  

Do we have to use food for Clicker Training?

   No, you don't have to use food for Clicker Training, some horses like to be petted as a reward for what they have done.   Horses eat most of the time and are very food motivated, so most that Clicker Train use food as a reward.  I have a mare that is a more finished riding horse I don't have to feed her food as a reward, the sound of the click tells her that she was correct and that is all she needs, and a good pet works well for her.  Most horses just want to know what to do. If they do it the way we want they get rewarded for it.  I use mostly food to reward my horses since it is so motivating. 

What kind of food can you use? 

   I use grain as my food reward.  A very small size hand full of grain works well.  You can use many types of food from hay to peppermints, anything that the horse likes, but given in small quantities.  

Are you worried about over feeding your horse?

   No, if I have a horse in training, I can usually feed their regular grain rations during training.  I end up feeding so little, that I still have to give them some grain during feeding time.  I have never had a problem with over feeding a horse.  Training sessions are short.  In the beginning 5 to 10 minutes. I can have the same results as if I worked the horse for hours.