From Bettye Baldwin, Pleiades Pony Farm, TX:
I'm getting pretty excited about this clicker stuff. I specialize in teaching timid riders or those that have lost confidence so anything that can help in that is exciting. I've been dinking with the clicker training this past week while waiting for your articles to arrive. I used some of the target training I read about in your on line articles with an old school pony of mine that is a real case. He was in complete charge of his people for many years and did NOT appreciate my trying to exert any control. He was a mugger first class and had NO sensitivety whatsoever. Within moments I had him focusing on touching the target instead of searching my hands and pockets for the treats he knew were there. I haven't given him treats by hand for the 2 years I've had him, but he would still try to "mug" me, so observing this change in a matter of moments was incredibly exciting. I'm going to attempt to train the youngest of the Arabian mares I bought last month to put her halter on herself. She is coming along pretty well as is, but this should be good for both of us.
Thanks again for making this material readily available to the general public.
From Mary:
I am so excited about this positive relationship. I never dreamed it would be so Easy! It truly has amazed me. And it is fun. Next I will have to think of some exciting ways to get her interested in getting in the trailer. Thanks for Clicker Training for Your Horse.
From Patricia Reszetylo:
This is one of the best horse training books I think I have ever read, and would HIGHLY recommend it. Regardless of discipline, this book gives you the tools to build a positive, dynamic relationship with your horse (or any other animal). It totally changed the way that I think and work around horses.
From Cynthia Toth Hidell:
I purchased Clicker Training for Your Horse a couple of years ago, but did not need the method at that time (I thought). The horse I had then died, and my new horse is a six-year-old quarter horse with little training and a mind of his own (although he is very smart). Working with a fully developed 5/6 year old horse that likes to throw tantrums when asked to do something is physically demanding, and dealing with the "attitude" cuts down on training time.
So I called www.clickertraining.com's 800 number a couple of weeks ago and was kindly sent a free clicker, even though I had purchased the book some time ago. I can't thank you enough. I only started clicking a week ago, but my horse caught on quickly and now pays attention to what I ask of him. I can now get through to the horse, elicit his cooperation, and make progress without fighting with him. He cooperates, moves in a relaxed manner, and is a pleasure to work with. It is like a magic switch was thrown in his brain. I now see hope for my horse and me, where I was recently questioning the wisdom of my purchase of this animal. We will be attending our first clinic and show (novice showmanship class only) in two weeks, and the clicker will accompany us. I know I can use it to get his attention and reassure him in what might possibly be a scary situation for him.
I am a convert to clicking, and I thank you again.
From Joyce Nesmith:
While I have been to only one clinic with Alexandra Kurland, I am eagerly awaiting another one to be scheduled in my area. The one I took in the spring of this year in Rappahannock, Va set me on a path of learning and having fun with my horse like none I have experienced. It is well worth doing. A few people at my barn are using the clicker and we just feel sorry for the naysayers—and even sorrier for their horses.
