Lesson 3: Associative Learning

Question 1

Define operant conditioning

Answer 1

This is when a horse makes an association between a stimulus and a response
For example a leg aid

Question 2

Give an example of operant conditioning

Answer 2

If a horse reacts to something in a certain way the thing that they didn’t like will stop. It provides control ability to the horses environment. For example a swishing of the tail will get rid of a fly

Question 3

Name two types of training methods

Answer 3

Reinforcement and punishment

Question 4

What does reinforcement training do?

Answer 4

This increases the likelihood that a response will be offered in the future

Question 5

What does punishment training do?

Answer 5

This decreases the likelihood a response will be offered in the future

Question 6

Define positive reinforcement

Answer 6

The addition of some thing pleasant follows the correct response meaning they are more likely to repeat the behavior in future 

Question 7

What are some issues with positive reinforcement

Answer 7

Poor timing, reduces motivation (polos contact Time to eat) can be difficult to apply during ridden training

Question 8

 define negative reinforcement

Answer 8

When there is a pressure release something is removed from the situation

Question 9

Give an example of negative reinforcement

Answer 9

If a horse is too hot they seek shade therefore they remove the sun from the situation. When pressure is applied to a head collar by a lead rope this indicates the horse to walk forward and then the pressure is released

Question 10

What are some problems with the negative reinforcement?

Answer 10

Horses trial a response which may not be the correct response, for example rearing can remove rein pressure.
The timing needs to be right

Question 11

Define positive punishment

Answer 11

When an unpleasant stimulus is added to a situation

Question 12

Give an example of positive punishment

Answer 12

Electric fence and the use of a whip 

Question 13

What are some disadvantages of positive punishment?

Answer 13

It tells the horse what it should not be doing instead of what it should be doing
A horse can habituate to the punishing stimulus
The timing of the punishment 
It can create a powerful fear association with the person

Question 14

Define negative punishment

Answer 14

Taking some thing away for example if a horse has not jumped good then they will not get their feed 

Question 15

What are some disadvantages of negative punishment?

Answer 15

It can be hard for a horse to make an association between the situation and the negative punishment

Question 16

Define classical conditioning

Answer 16

When a horse can make an association between two previously unrelated cues

Question 17

Give an example of classical conditioning

Answer 17

When one horse is showing an aggressive behavior towards a subordinate and through previous learned associations the subordinate horse will predict that is about to be bitten and can move away preventing injury

Question 18

Give A training example of classical conditioning

Answer 18

In highly trained horses posterior cues can act as a predictor that a hand or leg aid it about to be given for example sitting to the trot will indicate that the leg is going to be put on for canter