Comments! What do others think?
Hey Leslie!
I just wanted to thank you for all of your help with Seeker. We still have soooo far to go, but I only have you to thank for where we are now!
When I started your first into class, Seeker was pushy, he bucked, wouldn’t go, and was overall pretty green. So here’s my reason to be so excited. My husband and I rented a trailer on Saturday and went on a trail ride for the first time in a long time. I haven’t had much of an opportunity to try things I’ve worked on in the "real world", so this was my chance. We loped quietly down the trail, did transitions up and down without a problem, stopped quickly and turned smoothly the whole way! We saw deer, birds flying out of bushes, and all kinds of noises and sights. We passed other riders with strange horses, and crossed some pretty tough terrain. I used to take this for granted on those old trail horses I rode as a kid, but now I know how much work it takes to develop a solid riding horse. I was so proud of Seeker, he checked in with me every step of the way. Nothing is perfect, and we definitely have much more to learn, but I couldn’t have asked for a better horse considering where we started. I have a new list of things I’d like to fine tune and things I’d like to try that I think he’d find fun.
I couldn’t help but think of where we might be if it weren’t for your book and your classes. You are a pioneer. You carved a trail out for the rest of us to follow. Thank you so much for all of your help and guidance. Priscilla, FL
Don't let the title of this book fool you as this book is not just about colt starting.
Leslie's book is the answer to the rest of the puzzle in clicker training with horses.
I started clicker training with my horses 8 years ago after 3 different clinics. Those clinics opened the door to the possibilities but that was it. I just didn't have the tools to carry on by myself.
I worked with various horses but couldn't really master clicker training or move forward adequately. No one else that I met in my area was interested in clicker training for horses. They all thought that I was nuts and just `feeding' goodies to my horses. Spoiling is the word that comes to mind. I was the lone ranger without enough skills to carry clicker training beyond `cute'.
About the same time I was also introduced to Natural Horsemanship training. I really needed help with both styles of training. I bought the books, the videos, attended more clinics but needed more personal help and a step-by-step guide to get results to move forward.
Leslie has produced the answer for me with her book - clicker training with the follow-up of Natural Horsemanship training. It all comes together and makes sense now. She has an insightful and fantastic program mapped out for the beginner as well as the advance person wanting to learn what clicking training can do for them.
She gives a wonderful step-by-step process by first introducing the horse to clicker training whether they are a riding horse already or a wild colt. She moves through various Natural Horsemanship training exercises combined with clicker training to complete the process to obtain a horse that has various safe ground manners including trailer loading and riding skills like spinning on the hind legs.
Her insight into horse psychology (now termed as a `horse whisperer') as well as people psychology is exceptional as she can break down the mystery between the two species as it isn't all that mysterious and can be a learned skill for us all.
Hurrah for Leslie and all the horse people out there who will benefit from Leslie's years of research and daily logging all those long hours to produce an inspiring no-nonsense step-by-step book.
And if you love her book, her on-line classes are the clincher for this type of training. She has short videos for all her exercises with question and answer sessions.
I highly recommend both the book and the online classes. Susan, MT
Hi Leslie,
"I have done two clicker training courses with Leslie and found them extremely helpful. I have done some clicker before and have read books but it was invaluable to have the structure of the courses and to have someone at the end of an email to ask for help. Just to be told "yes, that’s normal" is sometimes all you need! Other times I needed more specific advice and Leslie always responded very quickly.
I also like the way Leslie has a natural horsemanship background because I want to combine clicker with natural horsemanship, so it made a lot of sense to me. The idea of using the click to teach and then using negative reinforcement once the horse understands makes sense and Leslie is the first person I have known to explain it this way. I think she has done the best job (that I have seen) of taking the best bits of clicker and natural horsemanship and combining them.
I have a 3 year old and he is coming on beautifully with clicker. He comes to meet me at the gate every day, keen to get started and even when the other horses are running around like maniacs he chooses to stay with me and do his clicker training! I love it that he enjoys our sessions so much – it makes it much more fun for me too!"
Thanks so much for all your help. I’m really pleased with how he’s coming on and I have lots of material to look at and go over too.
All the best, Roz , UK
LP has written a thoughtful book , based on her experiences training horses . I cant find a single thing to disagree with in this book , from my more limited experience with CT and NH . I did learn a lot , and got plenty to think about .
I tend to enter a state of ( I think Parelli ? calls it ) " Paralysis By Analysis " . Should I be classical or NH ? Should I sometimes be firm or always be purely positive ? Should I do this exercise or that ?
LP has experimented to see what actually matters , and produced a plan . She presents the exercises a bit like a recipe book . Which is very handy to refer back to as you are training your horse. Between the recipes are explanations and examples , that you would want to sit down and read all through before you started . I couldn't put it down .
LP has done her homework on the theories of reinforcement , but she doesn't get hung up on definitions and arguments . She just gets on and suggests how you might apply it successfully to your horse .
This is a modest book with a lot of information and inspiration in it . I'm glad I bought it and its one I will keep .Ms. C. A. J. Nicholas "annanic" (UK)
Hey Leslie! 
Just picked up the book and dvd's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the BEST book I've EVER bought, read, and owned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I've already
Australia
Hi Leslie
I
just had to thank you for your comments on our progress.I think one of the most important things about clicker training is that it works for me - I understand it, I can break down tasks, I understand what to do, and I see progress - I am being clicker trained! And I also find your instruction and book very straight forward - I groaned at getting another book, but yours has no gaps that leave me wondering, and so is excellent.
Of course I have tried other methods, but none have made me feel that what I am doing is correct and communicating with the horse - the other methods have left us all confused, I think. I know that the problems my horses have largely come from what I do or have done, and I feel so much better about the work/play we do now - actually, we all do!
I know I've said it before, but...thanks!
June (Canada)
Hello, Leslie,
First of all, I received your book and am totally impressed with your clear directions, good photos, and writing skill. I have just spent an hour or so reading your colt book from the beginning. It is soooo good! Melissa, AK
Leslie, I can never thank you enough for your "book". I followed your words as much as I could not having a round pen. And I truly believe both my young horses are stable and trustworthy because of your good advice.
Cheryl (Costa Rica)
OK, thank you..I have to tell you, I am so impressed with your work and I think you ROCK! So glad I found you. Someday I hope to meet you personally. Leslie, FL
Thank u so much for the 3 part clicker training to touch the filly on Utube. Really admire the way you kept your calm and remained extremely respectful towards the filly! Same in ur other videos. Guess i never learned more from some-one in such a short time. Grand!!! Will keep an eye on ur website and videos. Thanks again and.. click it did :)) Sanne
L
eslie I can't tell you how much I rely on your book. Yesterday I did
Dear Leslie,
I am a faculty member at the American College of Applied Science and I currently teach courses in animal training and ethology.
I came across one of your videos on Youtube where you teach a horse to spin on ground. This is an excellent example of how to integrate R+ in a training schedule with horses - something that is not used in mainstream equitation.
I will be running an equine behavior residency for my graduate students on the first Week of May. I was wondering if I could show your videoclip to my students?
Let me know if this is okay with you. When I use clips like this I generally link it to the author's site and credit is indicated on the slide.
Kind regards,
Marine C, Ph.D. FL
American College of Applied Science
Web site:
http://amcollege.usVirtual Campus:
http://amcollege.net
Hi, Just wanted to let you know I am really into clicker training and have started using it the past week...It is so rewarding for me and for the horses...Mine actually look forward to being with me more so now...I live in Canada so my training has been in the stall so far...when it warms up and the ice is gone we will move outside...Have watched all your videos on your site and you surely get your information across really good and you did wonders with the young filly...so glad she got a good home and is doing well...I did not do to much training before but I am so happy I came across clicker training...It is so much fun and easy for the horse to learn...they are so into it and want and get excited with I walk up to their stall door with a target....it only took my gelding about 3 mins. to relate the click with the treat...my mare was pretty fast also...Just wanted to thank you for helping me understand more about clicker training...
Ok, take care and keep up the good work...I will try and follow you in what you are doing...Thanks again...Cheryl (Canada)
Leslie ... BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! EXCELLENT!!!!!!! So easy to read and follow! Your book is absolutely WONDERFUL! AWESOME - GOOD JOB!!! Easy, easy to understand and read. Clear directives. Great writing style - simple, short, easy to read sentences. G wen - PENZANCE Equine Solutions > http://www.thepenzancehorse.com > http://www.barefoottrim.com
I just wanted to drop a quick note to tell you how much I am enjoying your book! For the first time I think my filly really understands what I want her to do, and when (on cue). Thank you! I also love your explanation of "show me what you know" as well as the difference between pressure to motivate the horse making a THOUGHTFUL CHOICE. I have recommended your book to several others who are starting to make the transition from natural horsemanship to Clicker Training. Thanks again for writing this book and putting it out there. It is a great resource! Best, Kim Sturgeon , Charleston, SC, http://www.claritycanine.com
This book is an excellent summary of clicker training as well as a systematic program. Well done! Judy P Tucson AZ
Perhaps it is unusual to be thrilled about a book at the age of 80, but this book which combines Positive Reinforcement [clicker] & Negative [Natural Horsemanship] Reinforcement is the most up to date book of its kind for horses. It is filled with great one liners and specific step by steps: "how to do it". And the steps are in order. I thought I was inventing this but she does it better than I do. I train my horses from scratch and ride into the high back-counry alone. You have to trust each other up there.
Every thing I could find in the book works and makes the relationship better at the same time.
She defines dominance [in the round pen chapter] and I use something from Rashid I use called Accepted Horse Leader: Those are the same terms only because of the way she does it. Being dominate in a forceful way is not there, but what I call being an Accepted Leader is there. She explains why being safe is important and how to achieve that safety for both of you in the best way possible for both of you.
The stories are all so meaningful and encouraging, stories that come only from a long and very creative experience.
If you have been doing this work on your own, you don't have to be alone anymore. This is a great book.
She also fades out the clicker: A "how to" that is often neglected.
The only objection I have is there is no Index. Dr. Phil didn't have one in his 1st book either so she is in good company. Drat: No index.
Don't forget to read the Closing on p 306.
Thrilling, Yes, Thrilling,
David
Who is your favorite animal trainer or animal behaviorist and why?
A few of my favorites…
Bob Bailey
Alexandra Kurland
Ken Ramirez
Leslie Pavlich
Karen Rohlf
Mark Rashid
(The last 2 are more "traditional" trainers, but I really like some of their philosophy and methods.)
cheers, Mary H, TX
I was so glad to have a book like this as it is excellent! I love the fact that she combines Clicker with Natural Horsemanship as it is the perfect marriage. This book is a step by step method of starting you out with clicker then phasing it out and adding in a cue for the Natural Horsemanship. I like the fact that she phases out the clicker as I see so many that do not do this. Leslie also emphasizes safety the whole time which is so important when working with horses. I also like the fact that she uses clicker for practical methods for everyday riding as I am not that much into tricks. The book is easy to understand with great explanations and she also gives you what you should be able to accomplish at the end of the task at hand. I highly recommend it to anyone with horses! Kim, TX
