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Positive Reinforcement in Action: Training Makes Medical Treatment and Recovery Easier

Monday, June 23, 2025

Blog / Articles/Positive Reinforcement in Action: Training Makes Medical Treatment and Recovery Easier


Positive Reinforcement in Action: Training Makes Medical Treatment and Recovery Easy


We went out to the barn last week and noticed Cesar, one of our wild Mustangs, was limping. He was limping so severely, he was literally hopping on three legs, which is a terrifying struggle to witness from such a large animal. A good physical exam revealed very little. We gave him pain meds, put him in a stall with lots of cushy bedding, and prayed for the best. Soon, an abscess ruptured along his right front outer hoof wall just above the coronary band where the hair meets the hoof. In the horse world this is a big relief because it means his pain will be eased with the rupture of the abscess, however, now it also means starting hoof soaks to clean out the infection.

At first, Cesar was not having it. The idea of keeping his hoof in a bucket of warm, disinfectant filled water was NOT his idea of a good time. He kept violently pulling his hoof out of the bucket, and refusing to put it back in. So, we decided to try a new tactic. When he put his foot in the bucket once more, we immediately gave him a ‘click’ with our trusty little clicker device. Cesar’s ears perked up instantly, and he forgot all about the bucket and started looking for his treat that he knew was coming since he is trained to know that a ‘click’ means a tasty treat is on the way. He got that treat, and let us keep his foot in the bucket. Problem solved in an instant, using only positive reinforcement. How cool is that!

This is just one example of how I teach people how to use Positive Reinforcement to train any animal, to do anything. I had so much fun at the Evergreen Rodeo last month speaking with so many people about their rescue animals, and the power of positive reinforcement training. If this sounds like something you would like to learn more about, I am teaching my Horse Training Masterclass live at the ResqRanch several times this summer. Check it out! And if the dates and times don’t work for you, no problem, the Masterclass is always available on line for you to learn at your own pace, and takes less than 3 hours to get everything you need to know, a complete curriculum, to get started using positive reinforcement, and get transformative results, right away! I just wish so much I could help every frustrated horse person out there understand that they are so close to a dramatic shift in their relationship with their horse. That there is nothing wrong with them, that it is not the horse being ‘stupid’ or ‘ornery’, it’s simply they are missing this one little piece of information that they can combine with everything they have already learned, in order to overcome any training issue, fast. It is not too good to be true, it’s just behavior science, and no one is better than me in teaching it to you in a fun, easy way, cutting through all the psychobabble, so that it’s so simple even a kid can do it.  

And besides teaching classes at the Resqranch, the other big reveal is that I finally have my Shoo-Fly Organic all natural fly spray ready for your horses and pets! Right now I am custom making the formula for everyone who wants that, at no extra charge, in exchange for some feedback and testimonials on how well it works. I mean, I know it works. It is the only thing that would keep flies off our horses at the ranch all last summer, and so much so, I never want to be without it again! Now I have it ready to share with you. So if you are looking for a natural way to keep flies off your horses and pets, in a natural, safe way without a lot of chemicals, I urge you to give it a try! We have it at Aspen Park Vet Hospital, just give us a call with how many animals you have, and what you plan to use it for, and we will get you all fixed up.

​Finally I just want to give a special shout out to my pal Budge the local Retired Rodeo Clown and his dog Split, who donated all the remaining funds we needed to get additional shelters up for the horses before the start of the summer heat. Thank you so much Budge and Split, you are angels! And thank you to all of you for reading, supporting us, and caring for the animals.

​God bless you until next time.

  - DrQ and the Crew of Aspen Park Vet and the ResqRanch

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Hi, I Am Dr. Jena Questen

Founder, ResqRanch
​Owner & Veterinarian, Aspen Park Vet Hospital
​Certified Animal Trainer
​Life Coach for People with Pets

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Call: 303-838-3771

Email: help@AspenParkVet.com / info@ResqRanch.org

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