Points on Praise for Horses

Q    Ive read that youre not a big fan of feeding treats to horses but what about petting them and talking to them? Im working with two young horses and I dont want to spoil them.
A   Youll find that in the course of training your horses youll be essentially asking them questions and making it difficult to make the wrong choice and easy and pleasurable to make the right choice. The challenge for a horse trainer is to find the perfect balance of pressure and reward for each individual horse. Some trainers get the reputation of being harsh focusing too much on dominating and punishment. I am a fan of rewarding horses for making the right choice.

Your concern about spoiling your horse is valid and is a mistake commonly made by well meaning owners wanting to bond with their horses by talking to them and cuddling them. Making these 1000 pound animals into pets doesnt work if we also want them to be respectful and in tune with us!
Although horses are motivated to learn by food treats its a primary reinforcement I have found it can open up a can of worms. Horses fed treats are often mouthy push into their handlers space and can be jealous of their treatfed neighbours. When training a horses correct choice must be rewarded immediately within half second in order for the horse to associate the behaviour with the reward. Unfortunately that connection is often missed with food rewards as we fumble through our pockets to get the mint or deposit it in the feed tub after a ride.
I prefer to reward by withdrawing the cue as soon as a horse responds exhaling softening my body and giving him a moments peace. If my horse is nervous or confused I may add a massage