I’ve done some clicker training myself, I find it more appropriate to husbandry type skills than u/s work (bar mounting block manners and possibly the first few rides). While I’m not a pro clicker and I’m sure I’m not always doing it right, I had a major HMPH at the idea AK was clicker training these horses us for that level of jumping - for sure my horse would volunteer a halt to see if this was a good time for a wee snack. Probably not the look anyone is aiming for Buwahahahaha
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It’s like buying a dog from a puppy mill to “save” the dog. All it does is finance the puppy mill.
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Totally agree, buying horses from him will just keep him in business.
I remember the Maddens used clicker training to help Judgement with the water jump. I couldn’t find the interview I saw years ago, but found this:
SM 45th Anniversary Moment - Judgement and the Madden Method - YouTube
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I’d just like those poor horses to have a better life. I’m not supporting AK, his business, or his practices in any way. I suggested upthread he stand in water and grab an electric fence w both hands.
Same here. My gelding was a little anxious when young, so I’d touch potentially scary objects and reward him when he did the same. Boosted his confidence a lot, to the point where he’d go out of his way to put his nose on something.
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I hear you. But here’s the thing. If you buy a horse from him you give him money… and he can use that to buy more horses. And abuse them. And then people will buy them to save them. And he will have more money. To buy more horses… And the cycle repeats. Just like puppy mills.
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I think I said this higher up in this thread, but - if you’re sitting in a boat and some idiot starts drilling holes in it, the first thing you should do is throw the idiot overboard and take the drill away from them. If you just try to plug the holes with your fingers, you’re going to run out of fingers, and the idiot is going to keep drilling holes.
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I saw the other interview as well which talked about Judgements fear of water and how the Maddens got him. They explained the clicker process, it was amazing. then followed Beezies round and when Judgement jumped the water with joy it brought tears.
There was not chasing the horse around the ring clicker-ing away like a neurotic cricket.
Agree with others buying a horse away from AK simply feeds his pocket. It is hard to turn your back on his animals. If he wants to give it away, fine, buy no money is deserved. He has proven he is no horseman , nor trainer with an eye and ability to develop talent, why pay him
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Decision from the CAS upholding the FEI suspension.
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/kochers-10-year-electric-spur-suspension-upheld/
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Ouch, I know there are a lot riders that support Andy.
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I’m glad he’s benched for 10 years. What a horrible way to treat horses.
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I own a horse that went through his program for two years age 3-5. I bought the horse from another party not knowing the background on AK. The horse was pretty unridable when we got her. The mare was so over reactive to the leg and would have a melt down if she made a mistake or hit a pole. It has taken over 18 months to undo so much of the trauma this beautiful mare endured. She fortunately has a really sweet demeanor and tries so hard to do the right thing. She is a totally different horse now, but this stuff does rear it’s ugly head once in a while. You can’t erase the effects of abuse. A life time ban would be in order for someone who has abused multiple horses with this torture device.
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Wow, what a terrible thing to realize. Thank you for lending your personal experience about the effects of this “training”. Glad your mare has you and is recovering!
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Thank you! She is a beautiful and very safe mare. She tries so hard. She is loving her new job as an event horse.
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The weirdest thing to me about him is that according to the article he was using them on every horse. How did he not get dumped in the sand way more often. My mare would dump me and probably stomp on me if I shocked her with electric spurs.
Also, I feel like using pain to teach a horse to jump would probably inspire the opposite reaction.
Maybe he will take his 10 year break to get a career not involving animals.
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A good friend of mine had a mare with a very similar backstory! I’m kind of curious if it’s the same mare or if AK just traumatized enough horses that there are that many similar cases floating around. Would you be willing to PM me?
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He’s still buying, selling, breeding and training. He showed at Oakland Heights ten days ago. Only change is he’s no longer FEI.
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Updated version with more (disgusting) details.
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He shouldn’t be showing at any USEF recognized shows, USEF honors the FEI suspension and he’s on the current USEF ineligible list.
Sadly I know that people are still going and buying horses from him.
From the article MHM linked above:
The U.S. Equestrian Federation also honors the suspension. Kocher complained during his CAS hearing that USEF “has exceeded its authority by preventing the registration of horses he might be in a position to sell.”
“USEF prioritizes horse welfare and stands behind the CAS decision upholding the FEI’s sanction of Andy Kocher,” USEF spokeswoman Vicki Lowell said in an email. “Andy Kocher is suspended and ineligible to participate at USEF competitions in any manner including as a spectator. Additionally, all horses owned by Andy Kocher are ineligible to compete.”
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Thanks for that- I missed it. Tee-hee, now the big man is doing schooling shows. Despicable pig.
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