Leona is an approximately 2006 mare whom we have trained for a local equine rescue and sanctuary facility. She is perhaps a Morgan x QH cross, and came as a pair with Merlin. The two had largely reverted to a feral state after 10 years of pasture with little to no human interaction. They had been well fed, but otherwise ignored.
Leona is a special case as she has required therapy with gabapentin, as well as behavior rehabilitation. This medication treats nerve pain, and has enabled Leona to tolerate touch on her face without experiencing electric-shock-like sensitivity. With the help of gabapentin, and clicker training, Leona has gone from kicking and biting at humans, to seeking our contact.
Leona is the kind of horse that many would have described as “needing to learn who is boss.” She had learned to use her size to get humans out of her way, and had been labeled as “dangerous.” Indeed, a horse who has learned to push humans around is a huge safety concern.
We started our work with Leona in “protected contact,” meaning we always kept a fence between her and us to ensure safety. Within a few days, clicker training taught Leona that humans would approach only at a speed she was comfortable with. By thus acknowledging her need for space, we taught Leona that hooves and teeth would not be needed for self-protection.
As soon as this basic trust foundation was established, Leona became motivated by curiosity more than fear. Clicker training quickly became a game that she couldn’t wait to play. She’s not intended to be a riding horse, but she has been one of our foundation cases studying the art and science of clicker training. You can see some of her early training here.
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