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Can you change your horse’s behaviour and emotional state? Try operant conditioning as a training skill

What is operant conditioning and how does it apply to how we train our horses? We have already looked at how the first two levels of learning theory apply to our horses in this exclusive series on how horses learn for H&H subscribers. Here, we examine the third level and how we can use it to change our horse’s behaviour
Dr Gemma Pearson

    • We have previously discussed the first two levels of learning theory, which is the laws that govern how all animals learn. These were level one, association and sensitisation; and level two, classical conditioning – predicting what will happen next. The third level is operant conditioning, which can be used to great effect in training desired behaviour.

    When we use classical conditioning to train our horses, our primary aim is to change the animal’s emotional response to a stimulus, so that consequently their behaviour changes.

    In contrast when we train using level three, or operant conditioning, our aim is to change their behaviour and, if done well, consequently their emotional state will change.

    What is operant conditioning?

    Operant conditioning – the third level of learning – can be summarised as rewards and consequences. This is how horses learn what to do (and not do) to make life enjoyable.

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