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Sometimes we just want our horses to stand still for a minute so we can finish our conversation, or adjust a piece of clothing, or put some more treats in our bag. However, horses will often act like the busybodies they are and let their curiosity get the most of them when we let our focus drift off momentarily. Training and working with our horses is safer and more enjoyable after teaching a neutral default.
In fact, a neutral default is so important the skill should be the first thing you teach every horse. Worry not if you have never heard of a neutral default before, the skill is easy to learn and teach and will change how you interact with your horse forever.
But.. What is a Neutral Default?
Is probably what you are asking right now. Worry not, the neutral default is easy enough to understand. Let's start by defining the two parts of the neutral default:
For starters, it is...
Neutral- def. having no strongly marked or positive characteristics or features.
But it is also on...
Default- def. a selection made usually automatically or without active consideration
When you put these two concepts together you arrive at the essence of the neutral default. Put simply, the neutral default is a composed, relaxed, and still state your horse goes into automatically without being given a specific cue.
A neutral default is a moment of pause where your horse is not actively doing anything and goes into a calm, relaxed state free from tension or anxiety. Over time, this neutral state can be put on default and will become your horse's natural response to a pause during their training session.
And while it sounds simple enough, trust me, the neutral default will revolutionize your training sessions. Get ready to say goodbye to stressful pauses, food aggression, and crowding for good!
The Most Important Thing You Can Teach Your Horse
You may be thinking that is a bold claim. There are plenty of things your horse needs to know that must be more important than whatever a neutral default does. But, a neutral default is so important because of its two main functions:
It can be used to introduce R+ to your horse and load your clicker
It keeps your horse from getting stressed and in your space during training
Nothing else matters in the world of positive reinforcement training if you haven't established those two things. Making the neutral default the best place to start with every horse when introducing positive reinforcement.
Why Teach a Neutral Default?
Training a neutral default is the best way to instill good manners in your horse and ensure they don't get out of hand around all the treats.
Most trainers' neutral default looks like this: the horse standing at their shoulder, facing the same direction, with their head held straight, and feet planted firmly on the ground.
Believe it or not, this skill can alleviate 80% of the problems you have with your horse when starting R+. That's because this position is incompatible with many common training vices like snitching and mugging for food or dancing in anticipation.
The neutral default is important because it...
1. Teaches your horse how to behave around food
One of the biggest reasons people don't use positive reinforcement is the fear that their horse will get pushy, aggressive, and expectant around food. However, experienced R+ horse trainers know that this does not have to be the case, and instilling proper manners from the start can prevent these behaviors from occurring.
And for that, the best tool in your toolbox is the neutral default!
If you always wait for a neutral default behavior before handing out a tasty treat, your horse will learn that to receive food they have to be calm and have their head held straight. Turning their head towards you, searching your pockets, or nipping will not deliver a reward.
2. Gives your horse something to do when you aren't asking
R+ is highly reinforcing for many horses and often makes them excited and willing to learn. However, extra-exuberant students can quickly become busybodies during their sessions, looking for something to do constantly so they can earn another sought-after reinforcer.
They might dance around, start nipping, or cycle through behaviors in an attempt to get your attention.
The neutral default gives your horse a set behavior for them to do when you are not asking for anything. They will default to their relaxed, head-forward position in the absence of a cue. So you can have a quick conversation, take off your coat, or catch your breath without your horse doing gymnastics.
3. Instills patience
Patience is an often overlooked aspect of horse training; however, when working with a 1000+ lbs. animal, it's nice when they can stand composed for a minute without losing their mind.
Over time you can add more duration to your neutral default behavior, slowly increasing the amount of time they can stand still. Imagine grooming, ground tying, and mounting your horse while they stand quietly!
4. Helps open a session to get your horse in "the zone"
Clear start and end signals help your horse determine when they can expect to get a treat, minimizing the risk of them begging when you are not actively training. Start signals also allow your horse to get in the zone because they know their training has begun, making your sessions more productive.
And of course, the neutral default is the perfect behavior to open a session with.
If you start every session by rewarding the neutral default a few times you can:
Reestablish the classical conditioning between marker and treat
Strengthen the neutral default position
Get your horse in a focused mindset
Give starting each training session with the neutral default a try and watch as your horse becomes more engrossed in their work.
I bet at this point you're excited to start using a neutral default and are wondering how to integrate one into your routine. Worry not, it may be one of the simplest behaviors you will teach your horse.
How To Establish A Neutral Default
Teaching a neutral default behavior is easy and can even be done if you are just embarking on your positive reinforcement journey because it quickly establishes how your horse should act around food and can be taught while loading a clicker.
If you are ready to start teaching a neutral default start by clearly defining your criteria.
For me, I want my horse to stand at my shoulder with their head held straight and still. All four feet should be on the ground, and they should have a calm demeanor. I do not want them to anticipate what is coming next or be distracted by something in the distance.*
*Note: Your neutral default can be anything, just make sure you know what you are looking for before you start training it
It is best to start in protected contact (standing with a stall guard or fenceline between you and the horse) so you can step away without confrontation if your horse gets agitated or nippy.
Once you have your criteria and are in place teaching the neutral default is simple and straightforward.
All you have to do is...
Stand outside your horse stall or pen, watching closely for them to turn their head away.
As soon as they give some approximation of your neutral default, click and give them a treat
Repeat between 5 and 25 times (or whatever works for your horse based on their stage of training) and then give them a break or move on to something else
Sounds easy enough, right?
Likely it will take you several sessions over a couple of weeks to get your neutral default perfect and on default. Over time you can continue to shape and build duration on the behavior until your horse can stand patiently for a minute or more.
An important note before you start using the neutral default: Consistency is key. If you want the neutral default to work as intended, make sure that you reward it often. Don't get sloppy. Don't get lax. And your horse's neutral default will reward you for years to come.
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