Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)

Instrumental conditioning, the use of reinforcement and punishment, is used when training horses and these procedures may have different consequences regarding animal welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of reinforcers that are used in training horses and when these reinforcer...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bornhede, Maria
Format: First cycle, G2E
Language:Swedish
Inglés
Published: 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/1543/
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author Bornhede, Maria
author_browse Bornhede, Maria
author_facet Bornhede, Maria
author_sort Bornhede, Maria
collection Epsilon Archive for Student Projects
description Instrumental conditioning, the use of reinforcement and punishment, is used when training horses and these procedures may have different consequences regarding animal welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of reinforcers that are used in training horses and when these reinforcers are used. This study has its focus on positive reinforcement and its advantages and disadvantages. Interviews of five A-level and B -level equestrian coaches about their training methods were conducted to complement the literature search and give a greater understanding to why certain methods are used or not in training horses. The results show that negative reinforcement seems to be the foundation of training horses whereas positive reinforcement is used but not to the same extent. Integrating positive reinforcement in training may enhance welfare of horses and will make the task easier and safer for the handler. The coaches that participated in this study use punishment in situations that can be unsafe, however some of the situations can be prevented by training. Secondary reinforcers are used but unsystematically. Using a secondary reinforcer, such as clicker, properly can enable the use of positive reinforcement during training of horses since wanted behaviours can be reinforced from a distance.
format First cycle, G2E
id RepoSLU1543
institution Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
language swe
Inglés
publishDate 2010
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spelling RepoSLU15432012-04-20T14:14:37Z https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/1543/ Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus) Bornhede, Maria Animal ecology Animal husbandry Instrumental conditioning, the use of reinforcement and punishment, is used when training horses and these procedures may have different consequences regarding animal welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of reinforcers that are used in training horses and when these reinforcers are used. This study has its focus on positive reinforcement and its advantages and disadvantages. Interviews of five A-level and B -level equestrian coaches about their training methods were conducted to complement the literature search and give a greater understanding to why certain methods are used or not in training horses. The results show that negative reinforcement seems to be the foundation of training horses whereas positive reinforcement is used but not to the same extent. Integrating positive reinforcement in training may enhance welfare of horses and will make the task easier and safer for the handler. The coaches that participated in this study use punishment in situations that can be unsafe, however some of the situations can be prevented by training. Secondary reinforcers are used but unsystematically. Using a secondary reinforcer, such as clicker, properly can enable the use of positive reinforcement during training of horses since wanted behaviours can be reinforced from a distance. 2010-07-04 First cycle, G2E NonPeerReviewed application/pdf swe https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/1543/1/bornhede_m_100702.pdf Bornhede, Maria, 2010. Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus) : with a focus on positive reinforcement. First cycle, G2E. Skara: (VH) > Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231) <https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/view/divisions/OID-880.html> urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-3-86 eng
spellingShingle Animal ecology
Animal husbandry
Bornhede, Maria
Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)
title Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)
title_full Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)
title_fullStr Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)
title_full_unstemmed Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)
title_short Training techniques used in training horses (Equus caballus)
title_sort training techniques used in training horses (equus caballus)
topic Animal ecology
Animal husbandry
url https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/1543/
https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/1543/