Choosing the right cue

Once the horse's behavior has been shaped to your goal, you can put the behavior on cue, so you can ask for it anytime you like. As you go through your training loops begin adding the cue as the horse does the goal behavior. When you feel the horse got it, test it in different contexts.

The thing with clicker training, because we shape the behavior then add the cue, we can put all behaviors on any cue we want. We can use audible cues like words, clucks for speed, whistles to call them from the other side of the field. We can use visual cues like our body position or targets. We can also make gestures like waving our hand towards them to move over. We can use situational set ups to make it clear, like sending them over jumps or onto a platform or into a trailer. Sometimes its obvious like backing up when you need to open a door towards them. We can also use tactile cues like touching them or using a lead rope or reins.

The trick with tactile cues, or any cue really, is that we want to ensure the horse doesn't find it aversive. If the horse finds the cue aversive we run the risk of poisoning our training, making the horse feel conflicted or stressed. If you're not sure if your horse finds a cue aversive, test it out. Go to the horse an apply the cue, if the horse ignores it you know its not aversive. If the horse looks uncomfortable and tries to avoid it, you know its aversive and not ideal to use as a cue. If you're using a tactile cue make sure to test it stronger and longer than you'd typically use. You don't want to escalate or prolong to tactile cue if the horse doesn't respond right away, and risk it becoming aversive.