Horse Behavior Quiz

How much do you know about the cause-effect relationship that occurs when training horses (or any living being)? To ignore this relationship is to allow it to happen randomly or by chance. To observe the relationship between animals and the environment, including trainers and riders, is to make an active decision about how to increase or decrease behavior to create a positive outcome.

Table: What behavior will follow? (Every happening has a response.)

R+ Positive Reinforcer Pleasant happening increases the behavior that follows.	R- Negative Reinforcer Mildly unpleasant happening when removed Increases the behavior that follows.
P+ Punishment Unpleasant happening decreases the behavior that follows	P- Punishment Removes a pleasant happening (that has previously been conditioned-more effective with humans).

Respond with R+, R-, & P + for the behavior of the horse:

1. The rider pulls on the reins, while mounting the horse. The horse immediately moves away when the rider starts to swing the leg over the saddle. The rider tries to re-mount and the horse moves away.

2. The horse hearing a whistle and sight of the owner runs to the gate; immediately receives a carrot.

3. The horse seeing the halter moves his head toward the halter and allows it to be placed over the head and immediately receives a carrot.

4. The rider loudly pats the horse on the shoulder and says, “Good girl/boy”.

5. While feeding their horse, the owner always pats the horse on the shoulder and says, “Good girl/boy”.

6. The rider gives the horse a half-halt with steady unyielding pressure waiting for the horse to lighten. The horse responds by leaning on the rein contact. The horse responds to future half halts with heavy pressure.

7. The rider gives the horse a brief half halt releasing pressure as soon as the horse indicates yielding. Each following half halt is soft and yielding.

8. The horse is given the leg cue for the canter and the horse makes a clean smooth transition.

9. The horse touches the hotwire on a fence and immediately receives an unpleasant shock. The horse stands at a respectful distance.

10. The horse is given the leg cue for the canter transition and at the same moment the rider with unsteady hands jerks the rein during the transition and the horse stops. The rider repeats the same mistake and the horse again stops.

The following examples are for human behavior R+, R,- P+,& P-

11. A child approaches a shelf with breakable figures and is told not to touch them. The adults continue shopping, conversation, and the child immediately approaches the shelf again and begins to touch the objects. Again the admonishment is given, “I told you don’t touch them.” Once again the adults focus on shopping and again the child starts to touch the forbidden objects. This time the adult yells,” how many times have I told you don’t touch those things!” The repeated warnings are _________.

12. A child is given a cookie and told to eat it at the table. The child promptly goes and sits on the couch with the cookie. The cookie is promptly taken away. The removal of the cookie is a _____.

Answers

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