Conditioned Response

Voice Aids
Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography
Definition:
noun, Psychology
1. a response that becomes associated with a previously unrelated stimulus as a result of pairing the stimulus with another stimulus normally yielding the response.

Here are some examples in relation to horses:

Leg Wraps = Trailer Ride

Once your horse starts trailering often enough, whether for shows or for clinics or trail rides, one of the things that happens is that your horse begins to relate shipping wraps to going on the trailer.

My mare knew right away, even without having to see the trailer. As soon as the leg wraps were on, she would be going for a ride. 

Bucket Sound = Treats

You might be familiar with this one! It doesn't take long for a horse to "love" you enough to walk right up if you carry a bucket out to the gate.

Clucking Sound = Trot

(Or any alternate sound you use for each gait.) We don't often think of the theory behind this, but we are always using a conditioned response technique to encourage our horses to move from a voice aid.

Human Stepping Forward = Horse Stepping Back (or Sideways)

This is how you keep yourself safe as you stand beside a 1000-pound horse! 

What other kinds of conditioned response situations can you think of, as it relates to the horse?

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