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#12: Can We Establish Boundaries with Positive Reinforcement?

 More and more frequently, we’re seeing posts condemning positive reinforcement (R+) from people who dabble in it, aren’t getting it quite right, or they’re frustrated with R+ clients who are using it with poor results. These are just a few of the reasons the efficacy of R+ can be misrepresented. 

A recent post talked about how it is not possible to set clear boundaries with positive reinforcement… however this is often the assessment of those who don’t yet understand the nuances or excellent timing of correctly applied R+ training. 

We agree, healthy boundaries are important, and every healthy relationship has them. However, we don’t resort to physical corrections to establish these lines. We also strive to recognize our horse’s existing fear, pain, and past history. In other words, their boundaries matter as well… not just ours. 

When done correctly, we do establish very clear boundaries for horses with R+, because we have a definitive way to tell horses they have the answer correct with a bridge signal. Without that clarity, there may be a muddled understanding of what we’re asking. 

Since horses do not possess a prefrontal cortex developed enough to plot or plan, it means they’re simply acting on having their needs met as opposed to acting “bad, naughty, witchy, or stubborn”. These behaviors are more symptoms of an underlying lack of clarity, fear, or even pain. 

Remember, all behavior serves a purpose so they’re most likely communicating they’re struggling in some way, and with this information, it is our job to listen. With their needs and ours both being considered, we can work toward effectively creating a mutual set of boundaries.   

What often happens with the less-experienced R+ trainer is that they’re not yet equipped to recognize they’re reinforcing unwanted behavior or they’re accidentally chaining in unwanted behaviors. It is indeed the clarity that comes from correct R+ that helps horses to feel settled and relaxed. This is an important part of developing a strong partnership. 

The well-trained R+ horse behaves willingly AND without coercion. Then why are so many “R+ horses” are struggling? It comes down to training and the experience of the trainer. 

The ability of the handler/trainer to notice the nuances of body language, to have excellent timing, to understand how to raise criteria at a reasonable pace, to develop mastery of the basics so that they can set their horse up for success are a few of many of the important parts of R+ that are often missed.          

One might then say… “Then I don’t have the time or wherewithal to do this training because it just takes too much time to learn how to apply it correctly.” To that, we would implore people to recognize that we are using operant conditioning in anything we teach our horses. This is science. Even with pressure and release, we still need to have excellent timing and observation skills. 

Good timing, awareness of our horse’s emotional state, noticing when it’s time to increase the difficulty in the learning or to back it down, to add duration in a behavior, etc. are all things that a great trainer is excellent at despite which side of operant conditioning they’re on. Focusing on what we want and not on what we don’t want-- IS how we get there.           

Let’s not forget… there is always an impetus for every behavior. Horses are either trying to work toward gaining something (an appetitive) OR they’re working for the removal of something (an aversive). 

These two sides of operant conditioning use different parts of the brain to get the job done and science has said that R+ tends to be more effective for learners-- especially due to the underlying emotional state that is remembered at the time the behavior was taught. Read that again.         

As we are out there working with hundreds of horses each year traveling and teaching, we have become very adept at distinguishing these nuances and indeed we work with horses who are doing all of their under-saddle work purely with R+. It works when it’s done well.  

R+ horses can recognize and easily stay within the confines of the boundaries we give them if their training has told them, it is reinforcing and safe enough to do so. Punishment is not an ideal way to establish healthy boundaries or healthy emotions.  

Safety for all is an ultimate goal of training and in utilizing punishment, we break trust. The outcome and the resulting boundaries for both horse and human is up to us.