Author | Lightnews

Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 22

How do you move a young horse when they don’t feel like walking on a lead rope?

I haltered Chewie's buddy and took Allie where we needed to go!

Chewie was happy to follow. 😀

Longer version in this post:
stalecheerios.com/chewie/alway...

#ClickerTraining #HorseTraining #PositiveReinforcement

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 21

Even when you aren’t doing "training," your animal is still learning.

I've been thinking about how I can structure my interactions with Chewie so that she is having good learning experiences.

Read more in this week's blog post:
stalecheerios.com/chewie/alway...

#Horses #PositiveReinforcement

A purple background. The quote on the images reads: Even when you are not training, your animal is still learning.

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 16

Allie says: Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday!! 😀

(Chewie is more settled in at the new barn and was moved recently to a pasture. Allie is Chewie’s new BFF.)

#horses #Horse #appaloosa #appaloosaHorse

Picture shows a chestnut Appaloosa horse sitting in a grassy field.

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 16

Sorry about the kick. ☹️

Hope you’re not too sore tomorrow!

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 15

I’m glad they liked it!

I hope it will help them think differently about their interactions with their pets and other animals.

Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 15

She’s too cute. 😍

Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 14

Earlier this week, I lectured to an undergrad behavior analysis course.

To introduce the idea of shaping, I shared a series of photos from 1952.

You can read more on my blog!
stalecheerios.com/dog-training...

#ClickerTraining #DogTraining #Dogs #BFSkinner
#ShapingBehavior #PositiveReinforcement

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

NPR episode:
“when chatbots play human”

Worth listening to!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...

When Chatbots Play Human

Podcast Episode · Up First from NPR · 02/09/2025 · 24m

podcasts.apple.com

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

Awww. 😍😍😍

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

Hi Wally!!

You are too cute, as always. 😍

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

Thanks! I definitely think she’s a keeper! We’ll share more updates as we go along. 😀

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

I’m so disappointed about this. 😢

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

Yes, it is really cool!! That was one reason I wanted to adopt from them.

The group is called Habitat for Horses.

Too many rescues down here in Tx are so rough with the horses. ☹️

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 13

My new pony, Chewie, has been here for a week!

So, it’s time for a formal introduction.

In this blog post, I talk about Chewie’s background, the rescue group I adopted her from, and why I chose Chewie!
(Or maybe, she picked me. 😊)

I also write about what we’ve been doing during the past week.

Chewie’s Diary Week 1: Arrival

I have a new horse! Chewie and I have just wrapped up our first week together. In this post, I want to introduce you to Chewie and tell you what we’ve been doing so far. Where did Chewie come from...

stalecheerios.com

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 7

Thanks!!

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 7

Chewie is getting settled in at the new barn.

We’ve been getting to know each other this week. First order of business: find all the itchy spots!

She enjoys the attention and will reposition herself to “tell” me to scratch in a different spot.

#positivereinforcement #positivehorsetraining

A bay horse faces the camera. A person stands next to her scratching her neck.

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Feb 4

This cute, fuzzy little gal is heading my way!! 😍

The hauler picked her up in Houston around noon. She will be arriving here in North Texas this evening. More updates later on.

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 30

Yuck. Sorry for the cost increase. 🙁

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 30

Join me in April for this year’s ABMA conference! 😀

ABMA was my most favorite conference last year. I know this year will be just as great.

ABMA is dedicated to advancing knowledge about animal welfare, training, behavior, enrichment, research, and conservation.

Find out more at TheABMA.org.

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 24

I’ll have plenty of updates once she is here!

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 22

I’ve been searching for my next horse.
It’s exciting, but also challenging and a bit nerve wracking!

Last week, I traveled down to Houston for a couple of days to meet some horses.

It was difficult trying to narrow it down …
But, I did pick one. Or maybe, she picked me.

More updates soon! :)

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 22

Small approximations add up over time.

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Reposted by Mary Hunter

The Equine Haven LLC @equinehaven.bsky.social · Jan 19

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 19

How is Rosie three already ?? 😀

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Mary Hunter @maryhunter.bsky.social · Jan 19

Memories. I’ve been continuing to think about Karen Pryor & how she impacted my life.

I met CJ in 2008. I loved her.
She hated me.
Until I found Don't Shoot the Dog.

I only have a handful of pictures of CJ, but lots of memories. And, I have Karen Pryor to thank for showing us a different way.

A black and white photo of a horse grazing in a field of tall grass. The horse is facing the camera.

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