The 9 Benefits of R+ Training for Horses

Today, science-based training methods are making their way into mainstream horse training. Even so, traditional methods and "natural" horsemanship continue to rule the horse world as many trainers preferred styles of training. If you have heard the words positive reinforcement or R+ passed around and are wondering if switching methods are right for you and your horse, keep reading to learn more about their benefits and how positive training techniques can change your horse's life.

What is Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement uses rewards to encourage the right behaviors

Positive reinforcement is a method of modifying behavior by using rewards to recognize and encourage the display of desired responses. Traditional and natural horsemanship are examples of negative reinforcement where an aversive or annoying stimulus is applied until a desired behavior is displayed, then the stimulus is taken away. On the other hand, when using positive reinforcement the trainer will give the horse a reward (often food) directly after a desired behavior. While R- training relies on an animal's natural desire to escape discomfort, R+ taps into the excitement of getting rewards and satisfying their basic survival needs.

What are the Benefits?

Negative reinforcement (called 'pressure and release' in the horse world) is the most popular method of training currently used with horses today. Because of that, many riders and trainers learned how to interact with horses using negative reinforcement principles. That familiarity can make the prospect of transitioning to R+ methods seem less desirable. However, with positive reinforcement becoming increasingly popular in the horse world, many are becoming interested in learning more about it. A great place to start is learning about the abundant benefits of using positive reinforcement training.

1. Increases desired behaviors

The ultimate goal of all training is to increase desired behaviors. Whether we are looking for a clean canter depart, an effortless piaffe, or a calm horse standing still on the crossties, we are looking to influence the horse's behaviors to match our vision. Training is really just shaping behaviors to match criteria set by ourselves, our coaches, or show rules. Like with pressure and release training, positive reinforcement gives us a way to communicate to our horses what we are looking for and slowly over time shape basic responses into complex maneuvers that can do everything from helping us win favor in the show ring or keeping us safe on a trail ride.

2. Builds a bond between horse and trainer

R+ training builds trust between horse and trainer

Positive reinforcement is a great way to build trust between a horse and their trainer. Animals trained with positive reinforcement often have a strong bond with their trainers and develop a relationship that can last a lifetime. R+ training does not rely on force to make an animal comply, instead, it uses positive associations and pleasant rewards to tell the animal what they are looking for. This allows the horse to slowly grow to fully trust the human and find satisfaction and enjoyment in their time spent together. Horses that are trained with positive reinforcement often do not want to leave their trainer's side.

3. Decreases anxiety and aggression

Unlike negative reinforcement, R+ training does not tap into the side of the horse's brain that deals with fear. Horses tend to be fearful, flighty animals that evolved to flee as their primary source of defense. The annoyance and discomfort applied during R- training triggers the fight or flight mechanism in the horse's brain. Pressure and release trainers are able to use this response to shape complex behaviors, however, they are all displayed out of the desire to escape the trainer's cues. To contrast, positive reinforcement never uses fear or discomfort to make a horse perform. Therefore, instances of fear, anxiety, and aggression can rapidly decrease with R+ training. Horses can quickly become bold, confident, and trusting on a proper positive reinforcement regime.

4. Provide physical and mental stimulation

Horses can become willing to perform without force using R+

Horses are big animals that require a lot of exercise. In the wild, horses can travel upwards of 20 miles each day. Even when kept in large pastures, domesticated horses still need time out and about to burn off steam and alleviate boredom. With positive reinforcement training, the sky is the limit. Master trainers have used positive reinforcement to bring their horses through amazing physical and mental feats. Just like humans, horses like to have something they can look forward to every day. R+ training is a great way to get your horse excited about moving and playing mind games, increasing their quality of life and physical longevity.

5. Builds confidence

Horses are fearful animals by nature. Many trainers have to constantly work to overcome their spooky inclinations. While R- training taps into a horse's fear mechanisms and can make them more anxious, R+ can quickly build a horse's confidence. Instead of using intimidation to force a horse to confront their fears, positive reinforcement rewards the horse for stepping outside their comfort zone. Some horses trained with positive reinforcement become so confident when they see scary objects they go check them out in hope of earning a treat.

6. Allows the horse to choose

Horses trained with R+ are often waiting at the gate to be trained

Positive reinforcement allows the horse to have a say in their training journey. Positive reinforcement never uses whips, spurs, or leads to force a horse to perform a certain behavior. Instead, the trainer has to find ways to motivate their horse into performing the tasks. Positive reinforcement sees the subject as a willing participant, so if your horse doesn't feel like performing for a session, it can be postponed. This allows an element of choice that is not seen in other forms of horse training.

7. Is rewarding for the trainer

Just like a horse trained with positive reinforcement becomes addicted to their training, horse trainers can find great enjoyment in each session. Horse trainers and riders do so because they enjoy spending time with these majestic animals. However, that joy can quickly dissipate if the horses we get so much happiness from are not willing to spend time with us. Many people struggle to catch their horses from the field and often have to resort to force to get them to comply. To contrast, horses trained with R+ methods are joyous to do their work and relish the time they spend with their trainers. R+ training is fun and beneficial for both parties.

8. Creates willingness and excitement to learn

R+ fosters a willingness to learn

There is no way to force a horse to comply with R+ training, therefore it is up to the trainer to find ways to make their horse excited to say "yes." Sometimes this takes creativity on the part of the trainer, but results in a horse that performs every task asked with joy and willingness. Other training methods rely on a horse's natural desire to avoid discomfort. R+ instead taps into their desire to work for a reward, creating an animal that is in love with the work they do. Positively trained horses often meet their trainers at the gate for their training.

9. Facilitates easy communication with the horse

Animal trainers have the difficult task of trying to translate what they want from their animals into terms they can understand. This cross-species communication can lead to confusion and frustration. Positive reinforcement is a good way to put the trainer's desires into terms the horse can understand. Marker training is the most popular form of positive reinforcement used with both dogs and horses. It uses a specific sound to pinpoint the exact moment in a behavior that is being rewarded, giving trainers the unique opportunity to communicate exactly what they are looking for.

Getting Started

Positive reinforcement can change your horse's life. Check out our blog post about marker training to get your R+ journey started today.