More Than Just Treats: The Power of R+ Training

R+ training for horses stands for Positive Reinforcement training. It's a method of horse training that focuses on adding something the horse finds desirable (a reward) immediately after they perform a desired behaviour, in order to increase the likelihood of that behaviour happening again in the future.

Key Principles of R+ Training:

• Rewards: The core of R+ is using something the horse truly values as a reward. This is most commonly food (treats like carrots, horse cookies, or even small bits of grain), but can also include scratches, praise, or anything else the individual horse finds reinforcing.
  
  
• Marker Signal: A crucial component of R+ is the use of a "marker" signal, most often a clicker. The clicker is a precise sound that immediately tells the horse, "YES! That's exactly what I wanted, and a reward is coming!" This bridges the time between the desired behaviour and the delivery of the treat, making the communication clear.
  
  
• Voluntary Behaviour: R+ encourages the horse to voluntarily offer behaviours. Instead of using pressure to elicit a response (which is characteristic of negative reinforcement, or R-), the trainer waits for the horse to offer a desired action or uses guiding tools (like a target) to prompt it.
  
  
• Shaping: Complex behaviours are broken down into small, achievable steps. The horse is rewarded for each successful step, gradually "shaping" the desired behaviour.
  
  
• Building Motivation and Willingness: The aim is to create a horse that wants to learn and participate in training. By associating training with positive experiences and rewards, horses become more engaged, confident, and eager to work with their handlers. This fosters a strong, trusting bond.
  
  

What R+ is NOT:

• Bribing: It's not about luring the horse with food or giving treats without a clear desired behaviour first.
  
• Permissiveness: It doesn't mean tolerating bad or dangerous manners. Boundaries and polite behaviour are taught through rewarding desired actions and careful management.
• Exclusively Bitless or Tack-Free: While R+ can be used for liberty work, it can also be integrated with traditional tack and ridden work. Many trainers combine R+ with other methods, carefully choosing what works best for the individual horse and situation.

• Always using a clicker: While the clicker is a common and effective marker, other marker signals (like a verbal cue) can also be used, as long as they are precise and consistently paired with a reward.

Benefits of R+ Training:

• Stronger Horse-Human Bond: Builds trust and positive associations.

• Increased Willingness and Enthusiasm: Horses become more eager and motivated to learn.
  

• Clearer Communication: The marker signal provides precise feedback to the horse.
  
  
• Reduced Stress and Conflict: Minimises the need for pressure and punishment, leading to a happier, more confident horse.
  
  
• Problem-Solving: Can be effective in addressing behavioural issues without force.
  
  
• Applicable to Many Behaviours: From basic manners to advanced sport horse movements, R+ can be used to teach a wide range of skills.