The Effects of Timing on Behaviour and Its Implications for the Types of Reward Employed by Carrie Davis, 2000

The Effects of Timing on Behaviour and Its Implications for the Types of Reward Employed

by Carrie Davis, 2000

Carrie Davis investigates how the timing of rewards and repeated signals affects horses’ ability to understand and learn. Through practical exercises involving four horses, the project compares immediate and delayed pressure release, considers the benefits and limitations of food rewards, and examines how the interval between repetitions influences behaviour.

Project abstract

This Horse Psychology Project explores the importance of timing when teaching horses and considers whether poorly timed rewards can create confusion, stress and behaviour subsequently interpreted as bad manners.

Four geldings participated: Greek, Josh, Chattie and Kelley. In the first experiment, horses were taught to place both front feet on a covered bale. One horse received an immediate release of pressure for the earliest gesture towards the required response, another was rewarded only after making a definite step, and a third received the release two seconds after responding. The horse rewarded immediately for the first indication of movement completed the task most quickly. Delayed release was associated with confusion, circling, raised-head posture and an inability to complete the exercise.

A second experiment examined food as a reward while teaching a horse to touch a target. Food successfully created motivation but was also associated with nudging, impatience, distraction and declining interest as the horse became satiated. Carrie concluded that food could help initiate behaviour but had limitations when used alone.

The final experiment varied the interval between repetitions of a backing exercise. Short intervals were associated with faster progress, while longer delays produced distraction, misunderstanding and irritation.

The project concludes that prompt, accurately timed rewards make learning clearer and calmer. Poor timing may unintentionally teach unwanted responses or cause confusion that owners mistake for deliberate misbehaviour. Carrie also emphasises that the study involved very few horses and that training must always be adapted to the individual.