My Journey from Conventional to +R Horse Training/Clicker Training Horses - a Confession!
Jun 25, 2024
“I can’t do this (+R) anymore. It isn’t working. I’m going to go back to the way I know how to train horses.” Head in my hands, tired, filthy from using food the wrong way and tearful, my frustrations overflowed while standing in my kitchen at the end of a long day.
My husband, a horseman and ever the voice of wisdom, reminded me I didn’t learn how to train horses conventionally over night, and that I had been feeling on top of the world with results I experienced using +R training the day before. Humans, how quickly we forget the good stuff.
Here's the real confession. This was a recurring event, for years…
I’m not a drama queen, but leaving behind the familiar that had brought me so much success in a variety of arenas (for years) WASN’T EASY BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. (for my sake and all of the horses I would ever meet as it turned out) 
That was years ago...
Fast forward to now, I’m just blown away by the messages I receive from clients thanking me for changing their lives and the lives of their horses.
While in reality, it’s the client, not me that deserve the credit, the point is I kept trying +R because deep down, I knew that I didn’t want to have fear and coercion as the basis of my relationship with the horses in my life.
That was years ago...
Fast forward to now, I’m just blown away by the messages I receive from clients thanking me for changing their lives and the lives of their horses.
While in reality, it’s the client, not me that deserve the credit, the point is I kept trying +R because deep down, I knew that I didn’t want to have fear and coercion as the basis of my relationship with the horses in my life.
I’m pretty sure that you don’t either. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t doubt the power of +R, clicker training, or whatever you want to call it.
YOU WILL, if you’re anything like me and the hundreds of folks that have allowed me the privilege of helping them create confident affectionate connections that have them raving about all the things (they can do with their horses now vs before and how much they enjoy being together with them).
YOU WILL, if you’re anything like me and the hundreds of folks that have allowed me the privilege of helping them create confident affectionate connections that have them raving about all the things (they can do with their horses now vs before and how much they enjoy being together with them).
NO one pops out of the womb knowing how to do this. Least of all me. I just have a lot of years and numbers of horses under my belt that affords me the ability to shorten the learning curve of others and help them avoid the wasted time, tears and emotional roller coaster that any new skill can bring. But these things are so painful to our psyche, that it’s a common experience to want to give up. And it’s especially true when it involves a horse you love and are afraid you are messing up.
The great thing about training with food is you can see results quickly and you can repair mistakes quickly too, though I prefer to call the LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.IF YOUR HONEST WITH YOURSELF, you didn’t learn conventional training overnight and you won’t learn +R that way either. But with a skilled mentor (one that can teach what they actually do when they train), a supportive community and a heart for the welfare and happiness of your horse, YOU CAN LEARN TO LOVE POSITIVELY REINFORCING YOUR HORSE and your horse will love it too!
If I can do it, you can, my friends. You don’t need to torture yourself like I did wondering if I should quit. There’s no need. I'm confident you have what it takes to stay committed and on the trail to true horse and human happiness.So...Trust the process, put in the effort to train yourself, love your horse with all your heart and you won’t go wrong.
PS I created Compassionate Horse Click Online Coaching, Community and Courses so you don't have to be isolated and alone on your journey like I was back in the day, being hundreds of miles from my mentor.If you’re looking for a mentor who cares deeply about your horse's progress and how you feel too, and/or a small community of like-minded equestrians (where you won't be a number and where you can get personal help on our coaching calls) who understand what you’re going through, a place where you can make friends and get feedback, you can "find your bliss in the Compassionate Horse Click."
Message Melissa for details.