Dr. Camie Heleski presented on clarifying learning theory terminology to enhance fair horse training. Key points included defining training as modifying behavior through consistency, predictability, contingency and appropriate reinforcement. Types of learning discussed were desensitization, sensitization, operant conditioning, and classical conditioning. Fairness was also addressed, noting that horses seem to have a sense of fairness and respond best to training that provides clear expectations and choices with reinforcement rather than punishment.
Clarifying Learning Theory Terminology to Enhance "Fair" Horse Training (Heleski)
1. My Horse University and eXtension’s HorseQuest welcome you to this live Webcast. Clarifying Learning Theory Terminology in Order to Enhance “Fair” Horse Training Dr. Camie Heleski Michigan State University
2. Meet our presenter: Camie Heleski, Ph.D. (heleski@msu.edu) Coordinator, MSU Horse Management Program www.equine.ans.msu.edu Contributing Lecturer: My Horse University www.myhorseuniversity.com
3. A few fundamental points Training – modifying or shaping behavior to achieve a desirable performance Key factors to success: Consistency: using the same cue; having consistent expectations Predictability: are your expectations high? Or moderate? Or do they change from day to day? Contingency: reinforcement comes immediately after the horse’s response Appropriateness of reinforcements: do they make sense in the world of the horse? Preciseness of cues: especially important with young horses
4. Some types of learning that we use in horse training: Desensitizing/habituating – the gradual decrease of a response to repeated exposure to a stimuli (not fatigue) Example: gradually acclimating a horse to accepting having his ears touched & manipulated
5. Sensitization – increase of a response to a stimuli Example: if the first few times the horse is clipped, the blades are hot or dull and the horse experiences discomfort, she will likely become sensitized to clipping Note breakaway twine that is fastened to the halter in case reaction is more dramatic than this.
6. Operant/Instrumental learning Animal learns to operate on its environment to obtain a reward or reinforcement E.g. Pony learns that sliding the stall door lever results in its release from the stall & access to food
7. Signal learning/Classical conditioning For example, Pavlov’s dogs…learned to salivate in response to a bell (unconditioned stimulus <yummy food> paired with conditioned stimulus <bell>)
8. Training Pattern Stimuli -> Response-> Reinforcement Rider’s cue…Horse’s Response…Rider’s Reinforcement Example: rider squeezes legs A. horse walks forward A. Rider releases pressure, maybe says “good boy” B. Horse resists & doesn’t move B. Rider uses heavier pressure or perhaps a kick or bump with a crop
9. Stimuli (cues) Unconditioned – a cue that naturally causes the desired response Example: waving arms at a horse in a round pen to get them to move forward (action uses horse’s instinctive response)
10. Stimuli (cues) Conditioned – a cue that must be learned Example: teaching a horse that “cluck” means trot…needs to be coupled initially with a more unconditioned stimuli (e.g. when longeing, snapping the longe whip)
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12. So a “punishment” is not automatically “bad” and, in fact, is often quite necessary if we are to train safe horses A “negative reinforcement” is clearly not “bad” and is the foundation of all pressure-response type training (Positive reinforcements are maybe not used with horses as often as might be desirable.)
13. Which of the following are the most “rewarding” to a horse?<At present, we don’t know for sure.> Rest time during a workout or after working on a particular task Release of pressure Food treat Kind words Petting/scratching (especially at neck/wither area…like mutual grooming that horses do) Or perhaps it depends on how we’ve established our bond with the horse?
14. “Fairness” Children have a sense of fairness or perceived unfairness at a very early age Do horses grasp “fairness”? Anecdotally, many of us would say “yes” Goes back to consistency & contingency Also, does the “punishment” fit the “crime” Does the horse get the option of making a correct choice? If the horse is going to be punished regardless (or negatively reinforced regardless), this is “unfair” and can create “conflict” behaviors
15. Conflict behaviors (also referred to as evasion or resistance) Horse that is simultaneously spurred to go forward and also is receiving heavy pressure on his mouth, may eventually rebel by kicking out, crow hopping, attempting to rear, etc. If that same horse is subjected to contradictory cues repeatedly and, perhaps, is subjected to heavy punishment for the conflict behaviors, he may eventually offer up “learned helplessness” <horse no longer offers appropriate responses to aversive pressure/pain…may appear dull, may experience physiological changes, such as lowered immune status>
16. Example of “NR” only in an “average” horse (from previous experiment)
18. Suggested Resources The International Society for Equitation Science www.equitationscience.com Equine Behaviour: Principles & Practice – book by D. Mills & K. Nankervis, Blackwell Publishing 1999, Ch. 9 Learning & Training
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22. Thank you for attending this live web presentation! For more information about My Horse University please visit us at: www.myhorseuniversity.com info@myhorseuniversity.com | www.myhorseuniversity.com | 517-353-3123
