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Find out how buy everything you need to start training positively for $25 or less.
Getting started with a new method often requires buying new equipment. Different training methods will require a different set of tools to help trainers work through exercises with their horses. While a dressage trainer may need a cavesson, lunge line, long lines, a surcingle, and side reins to perform their groundwork, a natural horseman may need a rope halter, long lead rope, and a training stick.
Natural horsemen in particular are notorious for making your believe that this rope or that halter is the key to getting the method correct. These often come as pricey sets with basic, branded materials that you could buy cheaper elsewhere. For instance, Pat Parelli's Essential Starter Kit includes a rope halter, carrot stick, a 6 ft. "savvy" string, and 12 ft. lead line and costs $130. Clinton Anderson offers a similar starter kit that includes a rope halter, handy stick, 6 ft. string, and a 14 ft lead rope at the price of $166.
While natural horsemen are known for being sale-men, positive trainers can also sell you an over-priced kit that you may buy out of connivence and end up wasting money. Shawna Karrasch, a world-famous R+ trainer, sells her Starter Training Package for $98.
If you have the means and want to support your favorite trainers, there are great options. However, if you are looking to get into positive reinforcement and don't have $100 to spend, these equipment alternatives will cost you less that $25.
Equipment you will need
Even at the most basic level of training, anyone looking to get started with positive reinforcement will need:
Clicker
Treat pouch/bucket
Target stick
Treats
Affordable Alternatives
Buying the equipment you need to start on your positive reinforcement journey doesn't have to cost a fortune. Looking at the prices on branded tools from the trainers you follow can make you feel like you will have to save up before you have your kit. However, the good thing about positive training, that differs from other training methods, is that the equipment you need is simple and often times can be found outside of the pricey equestrian community.
Treat Pouch
Orzark Trail 2.5 Ltr Waist Pack - Walmart
$5.97
A simple waist pack from Walmart makes the perfect treat pouch. I've been using a similar pack for years and it has served me well. Multiple compartments means you can separate your different types of treats and the front pocket is the perfect size for carrying your phone.
Target
Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit - Harbor Freight
$9.99
If you need a target in a pinch, these trailer alignment devices are perfect. They come is packs of 2 so you have one to share with a friend. The telescoping handle allows you to make your target as long or short as you want and the ball on the end is the perfect size for optimum visibility. The one downside is that they are not very durable so I recommend taping over the yellow ball with duct tape. You may have to upgrade eventually, but this will start you off well.
Clickers
Click-R Dog Training Clicker - Tractor Supply
$4.99
A clicker is the most important piece of equipment for positive reinforcement training. It will help you mark your horse's behavior so they know exactly what you want from them. There are numerous clickers on the market so you can shop around for the right shape, size and sound for you. Some even come with wrist straps. You can find clickers on the internet for as little as $1, but shipping will bring your cost closer to $10. You can pick up the Click-R from your local tractor supply, making it the best option for trainers on a budget.
Total: $20.95*
*Products can be bought in-person, shipping not included
Saving Money On Treats
If you are positive reinforcement training you will need a steady supply of treats. Unfortunately, this can become an exponential expense if you are not careful. I can go through over a pound of treats in a training session.The delicious Stud Muffin treats costs a whopping $22 for a 45 oz. package. If you're feeding these everyday, a big chunk of your paycheck will end up going to treats. Plus, the calorie dense, carbohydrate packed treats will be detrimental to your horse's health. Luckily, there are ways to keep treat costs down and preserve you horse's health.
An 18 lbs. bag of Saddle Snax cost only $14 at Tractor Supply. This is a substantial savings from other specialty treats. However, Saddle Snacks are large treats, so single bag doesn't go very far. Plus, they are similar to hay stretcher and are filled with unhealthy additives.
Personally, I use Saddle Snax to add variety to my training routine but I increase the nutritional value and decrease the overall cost by mostly feeding hay pellets. Most trainers use alfalfa pellets. With their high nutritional value and low cost (just $20 for a 40 lbs. bag!) they are a great choice. However, alfalfa can be fattening. If you have an easy keeper, you may not want to be feeding large qualities of alfalfa to your horse. I use Standlee Teff Grass Pellets, which can be bought for $25 for a 40 lbs. bag. Teff grass is low if carbohydrates and high in fiber, making it the ideal healthy treat.
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