If learning can be hurried by training with minimum distractions, is there a way to increase trainability while avoiding later perplexing stimuli? How much distraction is ideal to maximize trainability?

To answer some of these questions six halter-broken yearlings that had been turned out since weaning were brought in for prebreaking ground work. Lounge training would include walk, trot, canter, stop, and reverse. Three of the animals would receive their lessons in a pen surrounded by several highrise buildings adjoining a busy road. The other three would be trained in a soundproof, completely closed quonset hut. Each horse was worked fifteen minutes a day. After four days the horses in the soundproof quonset hut were two days ahead of the other group.

The next step was to bring the three which had been trained with limited distraction into a world where they would be bombarded by sights and sounds unrelated to training. The result was an immediate regression in performance. They had to learn to pay attention to the trainer's cues in spite of the distractions. These three, however, were still ahead of the three that were trained with the distractions present all along.

In the previous example, the result suggests that it is better to first train the horse in isolation and introduce distractions later. In this way we are dividing the problem rather than forcing the horse to handle too many stimuli at one time.

Unfortunately, most of us don't have a soundproof booth big enough in which to ride. So how do we go about using this training information in an everyday situation? For years, seasoned horse trainers have worked around the problem by working green colts when activity around the training facility is minimal.For example, many trainers ride early in the morning or late at night.

The more training done on a youngster without having to beat and bang on him for his attention, the quicker the learning will be. Suppose you are breaking a young filly that is a bit spooky. Everything seems to distract her. She jumps at every noise and runs from the falling leaves. In order to make this filly a useful horse you have got to get her trust. Imagine trying to step up on her during five o'clock rush hour. The commotion is too much for this young fractious filly.

You are forced to beat her to get her attention. The force adds to the distraction. The filly becomes frantic. The circle begins. She gets higher. You have to use more pressure to get her attention. This is a very long road to developing trust between horse and human.

Will a horse train faster if distractions are eliminated or minimized? The answer to this question is yes.
On the other hand, let's imagine we handled this filly with a little more finesse. By having just a little insight into her disposition and mental abilities, we could positively manipulate this filly's first training session.

The filly must be familiar and comfortable in the breaking pen. Turn her into the training area so she can become familiar with the sounds, smells, and shadows. This will reduce her fear and lessen the stimuli that will distract her learning.

Choose the quietest time of day for her lesson. Patiently show her what is expected. From the beginning the filly must look to you for support. If she gets spooked you must make her feel secure. Nothing will be able to get her when she is under the control of her benevolent human companion. With each subsequent training situation, it is inevitable that this budding relationship will be tested. Within a few days, the first reaction of this fractious young filly to unexpected distractions
should be to look to you for guidance.

Limited distractions during initial training helps all horses develop a base before having to cope with the outside world. Even the most calm, cool and collected horse cannot be expected to walk out of the arena and onto the trail for the first time without a considerable reduction in his level of training. A horse with any mind at all will show interest in new sights and smells. You may think that your horse has forgotten all training. This is not the case at all. He is not giving you all his attention because he is being bombarded with new stimuli.

To help the youngster through this stage, send the green colt out with a seasoned horse. Let the older horse lead the way, giving the colt a steady horse model. Riding the green colt takes a special kind of attitude. Do not expect him to be responsive at first. Let him follow along. He will wander over here and over there. He will get behind and want to trot to catch up. Let him. Let him explore his environment for the very first time with a rider on his back. Soon the colt will be able to handle the new situation and give some attention to you. When you feel him ask for direction, give it. By the end of an hour ride, the youngster should be back in your hands. You now have two training environments: the pen and the trail. Each day as you increase his performance level in the pen your colt will show more attention on the trail.

For many trainers, the trail is a relaxing way to end a hard training session. Now distractions aid training. They allow the young horse to unwind from the pressure of performance. With his trainer expecting less perfection, the youngster is gradually warmed down and released into his non-human environment.

Excerpt from Influencing Horse Behavior by Jim and Lynda McCall