Presentation Details
| How Accurate Are R+ Claims? A Review of Online Equine Trailer‑Training Videos Helena G.Harris, Sue M.McDonnell. University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA |
Abstract
Positive reinforcement (R+) training has long been recognized as an effective, welfare-friendly form of operant conditioning for horses, particularly for introducing them to certain domestic husbandry conditions that are contrary to natural behavior. In practice, R+ appears to be frequently misunderstood and inconsistently taught. To assess how accurately R+ is represented in readily accessible training demonstrations, we analyzed 20 online videos in which trainers claimed to use R+ to teach horses to load into transportation vehicles (trailer-training). Fewer than half of the trainers (8 of 20) used R+ exclusively. An additional three used greater than 90% R+. Of the remaining nine videos, seven relied mostly on R+ (55–82%), while two used very little (16–23%). Among the videos, the percentage of trainer actions representing R+ (vs alternative operant actions) was strongly positively associated with positive behavioral responses by the horses and progress toward the goal of loading (Pearson R=0.94, 18 df, P< 0.0001). These findings indicate that online content presented as R+ training can be misleading. They also highlight the effectiveness of using mostly R+ methods.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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