Emotions and Training

Emotions are inseparable from training, behaviors, or life as a whole. Emotions are always happening. There is never a moment our bodies are not feeling emotions. Sometimes the levels are on "low" so it's not a big deal, then one or more begin to spike up. But emotions are always present and tied to every single thing that happens within our horse's lives.

Classical conditioning, is when an emotion eliciting stimuli is paired with a new stimuli, until the new stimuli ALSO elicits that emotion. That just means, we take something the horse has feelings about, like food, water, comfort/bonding, or fearful scary, upsetting, frustrating, etc... Then we pair it with something new. For example, click=treat or beep=shock collar, soon the click or beep elicits the same emotions as the treat or shock.

This happens throughout all experiences all the time throughout life. Every minute the horse is existing, classical conditioning is happening. Every interaction between the horse and anything in their environment, living or non-living, is classically conditioning connections. If you introduce 2 horses, their relationship is created through the emotions their relationship elicits. When WE meet a horse, our relationship is based on what emotions are being elicited throughout. That is relationship, that is classical conditioning.

What emotions are YOU eliciting in your relationship with your horse?

Do you spend your time together doing things that feel good? Do you elicit good feelings? Feelings of Care? Mutual grooming, gentle shared time without expectations, doing things the horse enjoys, eating, resting, huddling together, exploring new places, trying new fun things, etc... When you train are you eliciting good feelings?