Earlier this year, I read Rachaël Draaisma’s book “Scentwork for Horses.”
One exercise Rachaël includes in the book is creating a comfort map. A comfort map depicts where your horse is happy, as well as which places cause tension that may impact your horse’s comfort and ability to learn.
I thought it would be fun to create a map for Chewie and track how her behavior in different settings changes over time. The map I made is a little different from what is suggested in the book. However, it serves a similar purpose by helping me visualize what we can do successfully together in different settings.
I created thee zones based on what reinforcers are important to Chewie in different settings and what types of interaction are possible between us.
Green: In these areas, Chewie will consistently interact with me for food and/or scratches. She is relaxed, interested in me, and curious about new items I bring with me. She pays attention to the surrounding environment, but does not seem concerned.
Right now, the green area includes the 2.5 acre pasture where she lives with Allie and Blanca. The green zone also includes a small area outside of her pasture.
Light blue: I shaded most of the main parts of the ranch with a light blue. In these areas, Chewie is interested in exploring. She sometimes stops to graze, but she generally wants to walk. She walks with her head low, near the ground, and stops periodically to sniff things. In general, she is not interested in scratches or food from me.
She is bold and curious, and does not seem anxious or afraid. If given the choice, she continues exploring and does not go choose to go back to her pasture.
Red: I used red to designate areas Chewie wanted to get away from. Right now, this zone includes the round pen and a medium-sized warm-up ring.
The warm-up ring is very close to a pasture with donkeys and miniature horses. Chewie was frustrated because she could see these equines, but she could not figure out how to get to them.
Later, when Chewie is more settled, I’d like to see if I can change her opinion about these two places.
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