A top positive reinforcement fear: what if I create a Cookie Monster??
34m | Sep 29, 2026An experienced, savvy horse person recently told me that she had been thinking about trying positive reinforcement, but she was afraid of turning her horse into a Cookie Monster. We all know the kind: nosing in every pocket, never leaving you alone, shoving you out of the way to go for a carrot on the other side of the barn.
What if I told you that you can avoid creating a Cookie Monster, and you can actively improve your horse's manners around food by using positive reinforcement?
In this episode I address this common fear, and share why teaching food manners is a great introduction to positive reinforcement training for you and your horse.
Mentioned resources:
Shawna Karrasch Equine Clicker Training 101 Podcast:
Adele Shaw of The Willing Equine, article on How to Get Started
https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/2017/01/07/Clicker-Training-How-To-Get-Started
