Using Start Buttons and Consent Cues in Horse Training

How do horses communicate their preferences or willingness?
How do we make sure we're listening and respecting them?
Consent comes down to emotions as it's about how your horse feels about certain situations. Giving horses a voice and enabling them to communicate with us is a key part of building a great relationship and connecting with your horse. This is where using start buttons or consent cues can be an effective way to open up this communication between you.
In this video, you'll see start buttons in action, learning what they are and how you can use them when clicker training your horse.
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➣ This is a short extract from a full series of videos on Giving Horses Choice in the CT Club. They cover everything from the emotions, behaviour and importance of choice right up to limiting choice and when and how to restrict choice in your horse's training or management.
The CT Club is an online membership site where you can get access to hundreds of step-by-step training videos on training your horse using positive reinforcement.
You can find out more and sign up here:
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[@Brookandboo]

Just tried this with Brook , following Rachel’s example with lifting the feet - worked really well - Brook wanted to play this game , after I had finished - goi g to work more on this . Thank you

[@rhene1548]

This is really good information. Thank you!

[@ConnectionTraining]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!

[@wildandwellbeing]

I like this but I'm concerned that the horse only gets a treat when they say yes. For example in the video with the saddle pad and saddle, he only got a treat when he had the saddle pad on but not when the saddle was taken away. I'm worried it will still be a bit like bribery if I do that with my very food-oriented mare. Any thoughts? Also, if target training - getting a click or treat for putting their nose on things, how much can consent be separated from "ok I'll do it for the treat/ reward"? This isn't criticism but genuine curiosity about how this works.

[@grannyhorsetraining878]

Great topic. I would say as a hoof care provider i appreciate a horse that responds to tactile cues given at the chestnut for the front legs and the hock for the hind legs. Some people teach the hoof lifting with mo tactile cue and i really feel it leads to the horse not appreciating the amount of touching and manipulating of the hoof and leg needed to get hooves trimmed.

[@ConnectionTraining]

I agree. I want my horses to be happy to be touched all over, and I teach regular tactile cues for behaviours such as leg lifting and quarters over etc. However, that's the next stage - when working with frightened horses, we start by making leg lifting clear and rewarding and then bring touch in from there. Often we're trying to find a way to get hooves trimmed with their consent before these damaged horses are happy with any human touch. But, as they grow in confidence, these two come together easily until they are happy to be touched all over and we can begin to train tactile cues in a positive way, too :-)

[@DragonbornCanid]

so, if i understand correctly:
say i have a horse that doesnt like riding much, and the vet gave green light for riding physically.
what i should start with, is target training basics, then teaching him that touching the target (like saddle) will result in the saddle being put on gently, right? but what if the horse panics, because they are still in the learning phase of this process. i wouldnt force the saddle on at all, and now that i am typing it, i can imagine having missed subtle cues from the horse about being uncomfortable or worried! but how exactly would i go about it then? o:
do i then start with the target basics, then go to systematic desensitization to the saddle and such, and THEN do the consent training?
id love to know, as im going to be adopting a rescue soon, and he is not a fan of riding, is what they said.
Just wanna be clear: if the horse under every circumstance dislikes riding, no riding will be done :) i just want to give it a shot at making sure it isnt just psychological fear or something bad happening when ridden, rather than a true dislike for riding

[@meganhinesequine4903]

You may find it easiest to start with systematic desensitization and counter conditioning to the various tack, then target training and take it from there.

[@spamgarbage6999]

Get a saddle fitter bf anything.