What is in a word?
Take learning theory and peoples interpretations, some say release of pressure is a reward some say it is a relief at best.
What is certain is that in operant conditioning terms it is negative reinforcement, therefore for the release/relief to happen there has to be an aversive stimulus applied first. Once the animal complies with our request the stimulus is removed.
So it may be leg aids – use and remove as soon as the horse complies, it may be ground work – apply an aversive stimulus to form a behaviour e.g teaching a horse to back up. Often people teach back up using a light touch on the chest – getting firmer until the horse backs, the pressure is removed on the slightest of movements.
I don’t wish to argue about various methods of horsemanship – it is a personal choice but the more I learn about the emotions involved the more I wish to use positive reinforcement as much as possible.
We do live in a world where most people use aversive stimuli to form behaviours, so our horses need to understand other peoples cues.
Dictionary defintions:
Reinforcement – The action or process of reinforcing or strengthening; The process of encouraging or establishing a belief or pattern of behaviour
Stimuli – A thing that arouses activity or energy in someone or something; a spur or incentive; A thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue
Reward – A thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement; A fair return for good or bad behaviour:
Relief – A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress; The alleviation of pain, discomfort, or distress
Release – Allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free: Allow (something) to move, act, or flow freely; Remove restrictions or obligations from (someone or something) so that they become available for other activity: Allow (something) to return to its resting position by ceasing to put pressure on it:
Aversive – Someone or something that arouses a strong dislike or disinclination.
References
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com
http://www.equitationscience.com/aversive-stimuli – some are challenging the notion that horses are not safe unless we use negative reinforcement.
Connection Training
Academy of Positive Horsemanship
Read and decide, which would you prefer for yourself? Also worth looking at the emotions involved in negative versus positive reinforcement.
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33927/study-human-interaction-shapes-horses-negative-emotions
Jaak Panksepp describes the 7 basic emotional systems all mammals exhibit.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181986/
Positive Horsemanship. 