When it comes to reward based training, the role of treats cannot be overstated. However, not all treats are equal. Understanding the distinction between high-value and low-value rewards is crucial for successful training.

A lot of problems in my own training sessions could have been avoided, had I’d known about this concept years ago!

In this blog, you’re going to learn all about the meaning of high and low-value treats, why and when you should use which one, how it’s a spectrum, why it’s going to elevate your training sessions, and lastly, how to know what your animals’ top 5 is!

After learning about these topics, you’ll know exactly why and how to incorporate this concept into your sessions.

Defining High-Value and Low-Value Rewards

Food falls into two broad categories for animals: high-value and low-value. High-value treats are those irresistible snacks that capture your animal’s attention and enthusiasm, often reserved for particularly challenging tasks or environments. On the other hand, low-value treats do not evoke the over enthusiastic response—they’re still enjoyed by your animal but lack the heightened appeal of the high-value foods. An example of high value for dogs may be a piece of meatball or bacon, and kibble or store-bought treats may be low(er) value.

In horses, this may be a little harder to figure out. In my experience, the perfect low value reinforcer is just hay. High value is easier, think carrots, apple… But again, those are extremes. It’s a spectrum!

Adapting to Individual Preferences

Just as we all have different tastes, animals have individual preferences. Some may go bananas for a certain food, while others might find it much less enticing. The key is to observe and understand your animal’s preferences, tailoring your treat selection to what truly motivates and excites them. This enhances the effectiveness of your training sessions.

Further in this article, we’ll talk about the fun ways to find out what your animals’ top 5 are.

When to use High-Value or Low-Value Rewards

1. Use High-Value for…

A general rule is, that the more distractions, the higher the value you can use. It’s very context-bound! For example, get your high-value treats out when you’re going on a walk with your reactive dog. This way, you’re more likely to manage things if the situation arises. When your dog is already more alert due to anxiety, simple kibbles are probably not enough to lead to safety again.

High value may also come in handy in situations you already know your dog is going to find scary. Going to the vet is an example of where many animals feel anxious. This will hopefully create positive associations. Tip: Always pack different values of reinforcers!

2. Use Low-Value for…

Cues your dog already knows very well are great to reward with low(er) value rewards. The thing is, if your dog is quite relaxed in the environment you’re in, and he knows what’s expected of him, using a treat that’s too high in value may disrupt your session. He may be too focused on getting that incredibly yummy reward, and may feel frustration and stress because of it. That’s not what we want

On the other hand, we sometimes use a reward too low in value in situations where the reward needs to “compete” with other distractions. This may result in a dog that’s not interested in your treats at all!

The goal is to keep your horse or dog calm (the green zone). Overexcitement, even when positive, is a stressor for the body and thus, their learning capabilities at that moment may go down. That’s something to keep in mind. Frustration? It may be a good sign to lower the value (or call it a day, nothing wrong with that too!)

So: If your animal is likely to feel safe in the environment, and is calm but happy to work together, a low-value reward will be best! When your buddy is likely to be a little stressed/distracted/excited, pick someting higher in value.

Again, I’ts a Spectrum!

What I mean by this: There are rewards your animal REALLY likes, finds okay, and everything in between. When you need to up the value, there are more options than their number one favorite snack! In general, it’s wise to come up with a top 5. With 1 as the highest value, and 5 as the lowest.

Always using the same, pretty high value reward will eventually cause some issues in your sessions.

The Pitfalls of Exclusively Using High-Value Rewards

1. Desensitization and Diminished Value

Imagine being offered your favorite dessert at every meal… Soon, the taste is not so exciting anymore, and value of this dessert would diminish for you. The same principle applies to high-value treats in training. If they become the norm, your animal may become desensitized, and the once potent motivator loses its allure.

This once high-value dessert drops drastically on your value ladder. Now you’ll have to “find” another dessert that evoked the same enthusiasm as this one did. And that’s not always easy!

I had this issue with my horse when we first started with reward-based training. It’s not a disaster per se, but when your animal is as picky as my horse was, it pretty much sucks haha! So, I encourage new trainers to incorporate different values in their training. It changed the game for us, as he learned new cues with double the speed.

2. Frustration: In Need of a Different Kind of Treat?

It’s possible for your animal to become too frustrated when using a high value reward. Remember, eating is a calming behavior and some animals use this as coping when their stress levels are high.

A little example: A horse is a flight animal. Next to the arena, you’re training in, the neighbor comes by to mow the field. He uses a mower. Your horse starts to tense a little and goes from the green zone (calm) to the orange zone (alert). When in orange, the animal is still able to learn. Using a higher-value reward in this context may cause more anxiety. Lower-value rewards are often in need of more chewing, which helps relax. An important thing to note, is that taking more distance from the trigger is always a good idea to prevent the animal to go over threshold (the red zone).

Resource Guarding

Another downside of a value that’s too high, may be resource guarding. In horses, this can manifest in aggressive behaviors towards horses nearby the training area. If this is the case, lower the value ór increase the distance.

As you can tell, it’s a bit nuanced sometimes.

Top 5 High-Value and Low-Value Rewards

So, now that we know why it’s important to have different value rewards on hand, and how and when to use which ones, it’s time to set up the top 5 of your animal!

There are different ways to do this, but this one is by far my favorite.

The Taster Menu

It’s really simple actually. Just grab some rewards you already know your animal likes, loves and finds okay. Also grab some rewards they’ve never tried before that you think may be high value for them. This concept is from R+Dogs!

Lay them al out on a platter with enough space between each piece. And, let the fun begin! Serve your animal the platter.

What to look out for

• What piece do they pick up immediately? Thats the Highest in Value!
• What piece do they not care for, at all? Don’t bother to put this one on the list.
• Look for the order of eating. That’s a pretty good indicator of their top 5!

Conclusion

So, now you know all about the meaning of high-value and low-value treats and what to do with them! To come up with a solid top 5 of foods, you need to test a lot. Even after the taster menu. Test them out in real life situations, to make sure it’s working in that context. And also, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared and pack different treats and values!

This post was all about high-value and low-value rewards

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Horse Clicker Training supplies are a great way to make the communication between you and your horse even more clear, and way more fun. Horses like games, who knew?!

As someone who is just starting their clicker journey, all the new information and techniques may seem overwhelming.

However, the right tools can make all the difference in your training sessions!

In this article, we’re going to explore the five essential horse clicker training supplies that every trainer, no matter their level of experience, should have in their toolkit. And the best news is: it’s REALLY affordable!

Paws & Manes is dedicated to promoting force-free, positive reinforcement training and the overall well-being of our horses.

We’re here to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to create a harmonious bond and a horse that’s more than happy to work with you. So, I’m not going to gatekeep!

This post is all about the essential horse clicker training supplies, which enhance the effectiveness of your training sessions.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Five Essential Clicker Training Supplies

1. The Clicker

At the core of clicker training is, of course, the clicker itself. This simple device is essential for the shaping of behavior. There are various clickers on the market. Personally, I like these ones with a wristband and round buttons the most!

In short: the clicker is a bridge that links your horse’s action with the impending reward. It provides clear, immediate feedback, allowing your horse to discern the precise behavior you are reinforcing. 

2. A Target Stick

Something I carry with me every training session. The target stick is a versatile tool that aids in shaping your horse’s behavior. It can be used for lots of things, from shaping movement, hip targets, lunging, to shaping a completely unrelated behavior like jumping a parcour. The uses are endless! And the best part, it can be anything. A stick with a tennis ball on top, a fly swatter or a duster like the ones above, pool noodle… I prefer telescopic ones like the examples though. It’s a very nice feature for when you need a shorter or longer target. These are all in one!

Purpose of a Target Stick

The target stick can be seen as a guidance tool. By presenting the target to your horse, you can direct their movement, encourage them to reach specific positions, or guide them through intricate maneuvers. It acts as a non-invasive, clear communication tool. Quite the opposite of forcing them to go in a direction by using a whip or your “energy”.

Fun Fact: Horses only see the colors blue and yellow. They see the rest in hues of gray. So, by choosing mainly yellow or blue tools, they are much more clear for your horse!

3. A BIG Treat Pouch!

The significance of a treat pouch in clicker training cannot be overstated. Believe me, the pockets of your jacket and jeans, are not enough!

Why a “BIG” treat pouch, you might wonder? Because you will need a lot of room for the amount of food you’ll be using! It’s also a huge plus to have different compartments for different values of rewards. Keep in mind to use rewards that suit your horse. For most horses, hay pellets or even loose hay, are already rewarding.

A treat pouch needs to be efficient. It provides quick access to your horse’s rewards, which is important. Additionally, it promotes seamless training without the hassle of fumbling for treats. Not a fan of the one above? Give this spacious treat pouch a look!

4. The Plufsig Mat (or Any Yoga Mat)

Another important piece of equipment: the IKEA Plufsig mat, or any similar mat, is a multifunctional gem in the world of clicker training. It can be used for many different things.

Proprioception Exercises

Mats are exceptional tools for proprioception exercises. These exercises help improve your horse’s spatial awareness, balance, and overall body control. Placing the mat in different positions or asking your horse to step on and off it challenges their body in positive ways, promoting physical development.

The Mat as an End Station/Stationary Target

This is what most trainers buy the mat for. In clicker training, clear and visual cues are key. Mats can serve as an end station of a series of behaviors, or a stationary target, where your horse is expected to remain until given a cue to move. Most horses love the mat!

5. A Stationary Target

Purpose of a Stationary Target

Whereas a target stick is handheld, a stationary target is unmoving. It holds the same advantages as a target stick, but without the need for you to move with them. This can create a sense of independence and confidence in horses. 

In the picture above, the orange cone is the stationary target, and the end point of this exercise. This creates the motivation to move forwards with a clear goal!

Using a stationary target (standing or a mat) as start button

Stationary targets can also be used as a start/stop button. In cooperative care or riding for example, clicker trainers want to create a way to give the horse freedom of choice. By teaching them a start and stop button for certain behaviors, the trainer only goes through when the horse touches the “button”, and immediately stops when they use the stop button. 

This is very effective and even helped solve a lot of trauma in horses.

FAQs

A. Do You Need to Use a Physical Clicker?

The answer is short: no! Although, it is recommend to use a physical clicker when you’re first starting out. This way, you’ll learn the art of timing better.

Verbal markers are just as effective, but you need to make sure it’s short, clear and you don’t use them as often when you’re just talking.

Examples are: “Ex!”, “Yes!”, or a tongue click (this is what I use the most). When you’re more experienced, you can even add a marker like “Yassss Queen” if you would like

C. Do I Have to Carry Food Forever?

Well, you don’t have to. But I do highly encourage you to always use food when training. It’s a vital element in positive reinforcement training.

Before I switched to this way of training, I used to carry a lot of other things. Wips, carrot sticks, a halter and rope etc.

When you look at it that way, I now only have a treat pouch on me and nothing else I actually need to hold on to. Win win, in my opinion

READ MORE: Clicker Training Horses: The Reasons Why It Outshines Conventional Methods

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve delved into the essential horse clicker training supplies that can make all the difference in your R+ training journey. 

The five essential clicker training supplies, including the clicker itself, the versatile target stick, the spacious treat pouch, the invaluable mat, and the reliable stationary target, are the foundation of clicker training tools. These empower you to communicate effectively with your horse, creating a clear setup and a happy-to-work horse.

In conclusion, by incorporating these essential tools into your training kit, you are taking a significant step toward becoming a confident and skilled horse clicker trainer. We encourage you to explore the use and theory behind horse clicker training, and we’re here to support you every step of the way! It’s an incredibly fun and rewarding journey.

Thank you for joining, and I hope to be a part of your continued success in the world of horse clicker training.

If you have any questions, please let me now by leaving a comment and I’m happy to answer it!

This post was all about the 5 essential horse clicker training supplies every trainer should have!

Het bericht The 5 Essential Horse Clicker Training Supplies All Trainers Need! verscheen eerst op Paws & Manes.