June 10, 2021

84. Q&A: Ethics in Training Traumatized Horses

1 hour 59 minutes

Hi All🌞🌎

This week's episode answers Patron McKenna's questions. Here's an idea of all the topics we covered:

What are your thoughts on how & when one should use sedation (Ace, Dormosedan, etc.)?

Is it possible for the clicker/R+ way of training to be too slow for a horse’s well-being?

When should a professional clicker trainer get involved in person?

Could a horse be “too far gone” to train?

Do you think it is ethical to try & “fix” a horse in a state of post-trauma recovery & continue to try to reintegrate the horse into a normalized way of functioning, or should we instead try to find a way to comfortably retire them (permanently or temporarily) & cease the majority of reintegration training as a way to respect them in their present situation?

Could you please clarify how “combined reinforcement” works?

Is it possible in the clicker training world to use both +R & -R together ethically?

What are your thoughts on the idea that humans decide on a training method based on their past traumatic experiences? Has that been true for you in choosing R+? What are your thoughts on using “energy” pressure when training horses?

Is it advisable and/or ethical to train a horse when in a conflicted/irritated/angry mindset?

Therefore, is it advisable & /or ethical to train a horse while suffering from a mental disorder flare-up when it causes a conflicted/angry/etc. mindset?

Do you know of any sources that describe how to best transition a horse from daily “feedings” to 24/7 forage access?

What are your thoughts (in general) on the Extreme Mustang Makeover & The Road to the Horse competitions?

Do you know if there is any data concerning these competitions specifically that would suggest that these horses are more likely to have bolting/bucking/"problem horse" issues or even health problems post-adoption/sale?

Do you think it's possible to compete in short-term training competitions like these with clicker training?

Of the clicker trainers I know of, very few actually compete on a regular basis in the hopes of refraining from putting too much pressure on their horses.

Do you think that clicker-trainers will ever be willing to participate in these kinds of competitions?

What do you think it will take to get people to do so?

Thank you guys for checking it out! And thank you to Patron McKenna for asking such thought-provoking questions!

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational + entertainment purposes only, not professional consultation. While we take precautions and fact-check, topics discussed should be considered opinions and listeners should practice due diligence before taking any action. If you participate (by commenting, submitting a question, or reviewing), understand it is at your own risk, accept full responsibility for any resulting liability/harm, & anything written may be used for discussion.

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By Jill Treece

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