how?
We approach our engagement with the horses with a tremendous amount of care and attention to their physical and mental limitations, and recognize that these vary from day-to-day. Sometimes, this might mean that the exercises for a particular horse involve only weight shifts, without moving the feet. Another horse might be improving their coordination with ground poles and learning to place their feet on a mat. The horse’s comfort and well-being are our highest priority, and we create carefully tailored training plans according to the needs of each individual.
Horses evolved to be problem solvers, and another part of this program is to provide mental enrichment for the horses by giving them opportunities to explore new environments, encounter new objects in ways that feel safe, learn to solve puzzles, and play any kind of game that our human and equine participants can come up with together!
Our aim is to keep our work playful, joyful, and comfortable for our equines as we celebrate them for who they are and the complex journeys that have brought them here.
why clicker training?
Our program uses clicker training because it is a force-free training method that centers the horse’s ability to consent and make choices. This is important: when we are working with older and unsound horses (or any other horse for that matter!), we want them to feel safe and confident saying no if something we ask them to do is uncomfortable for them. Also, the horses think clicker training is a great game!
how to get involved
Our program is open to volunteers who have taken one of our Intro to Clicker Training classes, though participation is subject to our trainer’s availability. We request that volunteers in this program commit to a regular time each week in order to maintain consistency for our horses.
If you have not taken Intro to Clicker Training, but are interested in learning more, please email the office about future course offerings at katherine@13handsequine.org.
