I have sometimes been accused of overthinking things. I plead guilty. But on this occasion, I want to encourage you to do the overthinking. I’ve got some questions and I really want to know your thoughts.
Firstly, animal behaviourists generally talk about training in terms of the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning.
1. Positive reinforcement (+R) - adding an incentive to motivate repeating a behaviour, eg offering a treat for a response we want
2. Negative reinforcement (-R) - removing a pressure/feel to motivate repeating a behaviour. Often referred to as the "pressure and release" method eg, removing pressure from a lead rope when a horse moves forward.
3. Positive punishment (+P) - adding a pressure/feel to decrease repeating a behaviour, eg a rider kicking every stride to prevent a horse from slowing down.
4. Negative Punishment (-P) - removing a stimulus to reduce repeating a behaviour, eg withholding a treat for the response we want.
Here are my questions…
* Can you give examples of each of the training quadrants at work when horses interact, eg when a horse applies pressure to move another horse out of its space and then stops when the other horse moves away it is using -R ? But when does a horse use +R, +P, or -P?
* Can you estimate what percentage of the time a horse uses each of those quadrants, eg, horses use +R about 50% or 100% or 0% of the time when they interact with each other? What do you think?
* Why would horses choose to use a particular training quadrant more than others when interacting with another horse?
* If horses favour one training quadrant over another, should it influence the training quadrant we choose to use when interacting with a horse? Why or Why not?
I urge you to think about these questions with no prejudice. I know all of you already use one, two, three, or four of those training quadrants in your horse work. You are comfortable with their use. They give you the results you want. You have read studies or attended clinics telling how they are the best, kindest, least abusive form of training and result in the best relationship with a horse.
But please put all that aside while you are thinking about the questions. Consider the questions without bias and as honestly as you can.
I appreciate all who make the effort to comment with their answers and I look forward to reading them. If, on the other hand, you don’t feel inclined to post a public comment I hope you will think about the questions or perhaps talk about them with friends or your instructor. Thanks.
I asked our horses the same questions. Guy (grey) and Six (chestnut) are still thinking about overthinking. May (little pony sitting) and LJ (lying down) have had enough thinking for one day.