"Just for Food"

If you read or have read my blog, watched my videos, you know I'm an advocate of using food as a reward in horse training. I know its controversial and I've even been conflicted with it myself as my ultimate desire is a genuine bond and communication strong enough that the horse performs as requested without food being used. Personally, I find with horses that lack motivation, food can give them a reason to do "work" that the human makes effort to present in a fun way to the horse so that its enjoyable. For eager/playful horses, it helps gain the focus of the horse and funnel his energy into desirable behaviors. I use a combination of methods, so Im not saying ONE way is right, but the woman who posted my video was kind enough to send me her post when I told her I was bothered that some people think the horse is working STRICTLY for food. I know this is something I personally need to be able to hear or read and have enough belief in how I do things to shrug it off. It takes a lot of time and effort and lots of undemanding time (where rewards aren't being given) to make progress with horses and its saddening for that to be minimized for food being used. The food is a reward not a bribe. I find its useful for early stages of training or introductions of new material and firmly believe in weaning the horse away from treats further on down the road so he/they can progress to enjoy what's being done at liberty for the fun of the work and the fact that work was presented in a way so that its viewed as enjoyable. Anyhow her post is as follows;

"Very thought-provoking discussion. As a clicker trainer for close to two decades I applaud the new rules for the top level performance.
Clicker training is just that-TRAINING. In my experience, when clicker training is correctly done the animal learns to enjoy the task as it's own reward. The beauty of clicker training is the pleasurable association that is created toward the idea of "working". Instead of work being approached as something the animal HAS to do, it is seen as something the animal WANTS to do.
And no, this doesn't occur because the animal is being fed. Otherwise a clicker trained animal would only respond when food was available.
It is the relationship that the animal develops with the trainer that becomes the motivation. A partnership based on trust and a sincere desire to communicate and acknowledge the intrinsic value of the animal's contribution in determining how a task should proceed.
I have trained dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and even Koi fish. No matter the species I have seen the long-term result of clicker training to be the creation of this relationship. I have also seen the relationship maintained over sometimes even years with the only reward being the opportunity to participate in a reciprocal partnership between two different species.
When a horse is performing at liberty with nothing to motivate their responses except the relationship we have built through the training process It is an opportunity to see the clearest reflection of what can be accomplished when an animal is seen and treated as a worthy and valued partner instead of simply a tool. "
Cathi Cline
Sacramento, CA

Again, I'm not a clicker trainer per say, but it is amongst the techniques I personally use. My big issue is with food being used. If the handler strives to present a learning environment the horse enjoys, makes effort to keep the horse respectful and not enable him to be pushy or mouthy, the bond created isn't something anyone should criticize. I know that people will still say what they think so I just have to come to terms with that. I'm after a bond that enables me to ride bareback and bridle-less. When I do use a bridle (it will be bitless) so... However I get there...I can't deny I'm proud of the time, effort, and personal actions/training methods I used to obtain that. :) I'll try not to repeat that too many times in the future but it is something I feel strongly about and I tend to voice my opinion. Thank EVERYONE who understands where Im coming from! Very special thanks to Cathi for allowing me to include her beautifully written thoughts. :)
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