82 SIDELINES DECEMBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
During an On Target clinic in the UK, Shawna worked with Lua, who “was basically shut down – stuck in one place, herd-bound,
not listening to her rider. Positive reinforcement reached her mind and she became quite compliant and happy to move forward,
forgetting about the other horses ” Shawna said. “Seeing her go from disconnected to quite engaged made me smile.”
Photo by Natalie Bourchier
modification works on people too. I learned that I didn’t know
how to deal with grown-up problems, relating to marriage and
business,” Shawna admitted. “I just ran away – that was about
10 years ago, I had to pull out all my stuff and take a good hard
look at myself. I had to resolve some old issues. I learned to be
kinder to myself and that helped me to face big and little things
with a better perspective. It helped me to be honest with myself. I
found my spiritual balance and my path. It changed my outlook on
everything and it made me a better animal trainer. I’m virtually in
the best place I’ve ever been in my life.”
Horses will do that to you. Helping good horsemen to be better
trainers can be affirming and empowering for all concerned,
including the equines. In terms of Shawna and On Target, two well-
known professionals really made a difference: John and Beezie
Madden, who took the ride on
Judgement after Michael Matz
ended his long relationship with
Mary Alice Malone’s stallion.
In spite of winning the 1999
American Gold Cup with Michael, Judgement started running out
at the water jumps, which didn’t bode well for a jumper. The duo
finished 18th in the 2000 Olympics, and soon after the Sydney
Games, Michael retired from show jumping and recommended
that Judgement go to the Maddens.
“I lived with John and Beezie for a year and taught them how
to use positive reinforcement on every horse that came through
their place – sport horses from Argentina, from Europe, horses
belonging to their clients,” recalled Shawna. “I taught them while
they worked with all their other horses. Judgement arrived after I
moved home.”
It took the better part of a year, but by using positive reinforcement
and On Target Training, Beezie and John got Judgement over his
issue about water jumps. “John is like a sponge and Beezie is
amazing. By the time the stallion arrived, the Maddens had really
gotten the vital steps and the timing between the cue (asking for
the behavior) and the yes signal (the click),” Shawna said.
The Maddens entered Judgement in a big jumper derby that fall,
which served as a major test of the training. Before Beezie rode
through the timers, she guided Judgement past the water: when
she clicked, Judgement nickered. “The Maddens were thrilled and
Judgement placed fourth in that big class,” recalled Shawna.
Judgement continued to compete and win internationally,
earning more than $1,500,000 in prize money. He retired in 2009
and as a sire has helped to raise the bar of American breeding
standards.
Please note: Beezie’s round
with Judgement took place
before the rule that prohibited
the use of clickers during
competition. However, people have utilized verbal cues, such as
clearing their throats, in place of the clicker. This work-around is
not exactly kosher, but it is for the greatest good of the horse and
helps to reward him when he does the right thing. This is at the
heart of On Target.
“I’m the behaviorist – not a training rider – I work with the
international riders,” Shawna said. “I brought along a green
Thoroughbred – I’m comfortable on a horse, and I love to jump,
3’ to 3’3”, but I’m happier as the ground person working with the
horse’s behavior.”
“Through positive reinforcement, we can
help horses to learn to enjoy themselves.”
Continued on page 84
