Clicker Yönteminin Atlarda Duyarsızlaştırma Eğitimine Etkisi

Öz

Eğitim sırasında verilen görevi kendi istekleriyle yerine getirmeleri, atların refahı ve başarıları açısından oldukça önemlidir. Bu amaçla atların temel eğitimleri sırasında ürkekliklerinin azaltılması ve çeşitli seslere, nesnelere karşı alışmalarının sağlanması için duyarsızlaştırma eğitimlerinde bazı parkurlardan yararlanılmaktadır. Bu araştırmada atların farklı zemin üzerinde yürüme ve nesneler arasından geçme (dar alan, top, şemsiye, halka, branda, yandan engelli kapı ve üstten engelli kapı) gibi bazı görevleri yerine getirmesi sırasında clicker metodunun kullanımının atın parkurdaki başarısına etkisi araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla 14 baş Arap kısraktan yararlanılmıştır. Atların parkurda görevleri yerine getirme başarıları, kalp atım hızları ve davranışları incelenmiştir. Üstten engelli kapı görevini başarma ortalaması, clicker uygulanan grupta (%100) kontrol grubuna (%43) göre önemli düzeyde (P<0.05) yüksek bulunmuştur. Ortalama kalp atım hızı clicker uygulanan grupta (139.28 adet/dk) kontrol grubuna (109.42 adet/dk) göre önemli düzeyde (P<0.01) yüksek olmuştur. Kontrol grubunda clicker uygulanan gruba göre; ani durma, süratli veya dörtnala kalkma davranışlarının önemli derecede (P<0.01) yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, clicker yönteminin atlar tarafından hızla öğrenilen, uygulaması kolay ve maliyeti düşük bir yöntem olması ve aynı zamanda görevlerin başarılmasındaki etkinliği nedeniyle at eğitiminde kullanılması tavsiye edilebilir. Bununla birlikte, clicker metodu kullanılarak atın görevleri kendi isteğiyle yerine getirmesinin hem antrenörün güvenliği hem de hayvan refahı açısından önemli olduğu söylenebilir. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• At
• Clicker Metodu
• Davranış Temelli Eğitim
• Öğrenme Teorisi
• duyarsızlaştırma

The Efficacy of Clicker Method During Desensitising Horse

Öz

Encouraging horses to do tasks willingly during training relating to their welfare is important. Horses are trained for desensitization using de-spooking tracks. In this study, the efficacy of using the clicker method during desensitization to obstacles and novel objects is investigated. Fourteen Arabian horses participated in the study. Their success in completing the tasks, as well as their heart rate and behaviour were examined. The average achievement for the hanging pool noodle door task was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the clicker group (100%) than in the control group (43%). Average heart rate is highly significant (P<0.01) in the clicker group (139.28 pcs/minute) than the control group (109.42 pcs/minute). In the scope of frightening behaviours, "trot" was determined highly significant (P<0.01) in the control group than the clicker group. Clicker training appears to provide an advantage due to its ease of application, low cost, and fast learning by horses. The findings suggest that this method is advisable because of its efficacy during desensitising of horses using the de-spooking track. Fulfilling tasks willingly during training is also important for the horse’s welfare and trainer’s safety.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Behavioral Training
• Clicker Method
• Horse
• Learning Theory
• desensitising

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