blue pipe

[supertramp]

Good evening, My Section D is turning into a serial napper, just today refused to go in one direction, thought I could sit it out, but traffic didnt allow this. Pointed him in the other direction and that was met with a big fat no! Tried to move his feet, praise when he went forward, but no go, yard owner came out and led me half way up the road and he then carried on, but was keen to get home, and not continue the ride in another direction. Where does the blue pipe come from, just something that may distract him, once he gets going he's relaxed and a pleasure today not so much. Any help appreciated. Fine in the school, fine at comps, I do think its confidence, but some days he is fine.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Blue pipe???

 

[Bob notacob]

looking forward to seeing where this post is going.

 

[supertramp]

Blue pipe???

Its something that adorable Alice has mentioned

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Its something that adorable Alice has mentioned

In what context?

 

[Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls]

Hmmm maybe, just so long as you don't leave the brass pipe fitting on the end as I witnessed a couple of years back.

 

[supertramp]

Am dleting this as I think it may

Hmmm maybe, just so long as you don't leave the brass pipe fitting on the end as I witnessed a couple of years back.

No, wouldnt leave the brass fitting on.

 

[supertramp]

In what context?

for serial nappers, just to distract him.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

for serial nappers, just to distract him.

Never heard of it being used for that. And I can't think what use it would be.

Napping comes from a lack of confidence or a physical issue. You don't need distraction you need direction (or diagnosis).

 

[supertramp]

Never heard of it being used for that. And I can't think what use it would be.

Napping comes from a lack of confidence or a physical issue. You don't need distraction you need direction (or diagnosis).

Thankyou for your reply, its appreciated, will look into more confidence giving. I should have thought of that.

 

[smolmaus]

Blue pipe is for hitting them with. It makes a big noise. Or making them more scared of being hit with the pipe than what's scaring them. That is the distraction, really. It has a pretty strong reputation with cowboy dealers and uh, breeders of many coloured cobs. Farmers use it for cattle too.

Lead him out the scary way, or arrange to have someone lead him with you on board. If he's having a confident day that day all the better, extra coins in the confidence jar. If he's having a bad day you can nurse him round. They don't invent being scared, you can give him some help instead of the blue pipe.

 

[supertramp]

Blue pipe is for hitting them with. It makes a big noise. Or making them more scared of being hit with the pipe than what's scaring them. That is the distraction, really. It has a pretty strong reputation with cowboy dealers and uh, breeders of many coloured cobs. Farmers use it for cattle too.

Lead him out the scary way, or arrange to have someone lead him with you on board. If he's having a confident day that day all the better, extra coins in the confidence jar. If he's having a bad day you can nurse him round. They don't invent being scared, you can give him some help instead of the blue pipe.

Thankyou, just felt a bit low about it today. I can now see what a terrible idea it is.

 

[Bob notacob]

It is only a terrible idea in the hands of a terrible person. Those little thin sticks (usually with a wrist loop ) that they sell kids are far worse. They cut and damage . The blue MDPE pipe 20mm does not cut ,it looks fearsome but does little damage and just stings a bit. I do not carry a whip when I ride. Bob seldom needs a reminder who is boss (He is but being a modern caring boss he makes allowances for me)On the few occasions of serious dispute ,I have been known to pick a twig with a leaf or two .To him all such things are merely a version of the blue pipe he had seen back in Ireland. He accepts that it is a token of my intent and gets back to work . A 25 metre roll of MDPE will fix many troughs and provide a lifetimes worth of encouragement to all Irish horses.

PS ,OP Get some good help .You need someone on the ground to help you .A good professional . Good luck .we have all been there.

 

[Lilly-Mayspookatbags]

Thankyou, just felt a bit low about it today. I can now see what a terrible idea it is.

Not a bad idea! Sometimes they need something noticeable driving them forwards if it’s a bit of taking the mickey just to break the habit.

(( I once got stuck on a single track with a nappy pony and a jcb behind me .. you can imagine how that went … it was promptly no longer a nappy pony ))

 

[supertramp]

It is only a terrible idea in the hands of a terrible person. Those little thin sticks (usually with a wrist loop ) that they sell kids are far worse. They cut and damage . The blue MDPE pipe 20mm does not cut ,it looks fearsome but does little damage and just stings a bit. I do not carry a whip when I ride. Bob seldom needs a reminder who is boss (He is but being a modern caring boss he makes allowances for me)On the few occasions of serious dispute ,I have been known to pick a twig with a leaf or two .To him all such things are merely a version of the blue pipe he had seen back in Ireland. He accepts that it is a token of my intent and gets back to work . A 25 metre roll of MDPE will fix many troughs and provide a lifetimes worth of encouragement to all Irish horses.

PS ,OP Get some good help .You need someone on the ground to help you .A good professional . Good luck .we have all been there.

Thankyou, will get help. I don't see myself as a terrible person , just one who wanted advice, which I of course shall take. I appreciate your helpful reply.

 

[Bob notacob]

Thankyou, will get help. I don't see myself as a terrible person , just one who wanted advice, which I of course shall take. I appreciate your helpful reply.

This puts you well ahead of the game .So many people just keep struggling with a problem
and not getting help. I was at a loss ,after half a century of horse bothering .Bob would not get on his horsebox no way .I bit the bullet and got help from someone I almost dismissed .A lady at the yard who was always going on courses of all sorts. Didnt think of her as a serious Pro.Bob did and was happy to be her horsebox loading slave. Lesson learned.

 

[supertramp]

Thankyou. He was a difficult loader, but whilst I was on holiday the yard owner took over the loading which has been a success. There was no bullying, I have seen her work.

 

[Bob notacob]

Thankyou. He was a difficult loader, but whilst I was on holiday the yard owner took over the loading which has been a success. There was no bullying, I have seen her work.

Well that was a win ! Just take your time with your horse . Only do what you believe to be right ,not what others tell you . B e happy with your horse .

 

[Sandstone1]

pain is not a good motivator. First check your horse is not in pain. Then work on his confidence. Hitting him with Blue pipe will not help. Sad to see its still used. I thought we had moved on. Sad.

 

[dottylottie]

sorry but i can’t believe in 2025 there’s threads asking about hitting their horses with blue pipe - i thought i must’ve been getting the wrong end of the “pipe” when i first read it.

 

[smolmaus]

sorry but i can’t believe in 2025 there’s threads asking about hitting their horses with blue pipe - i thought i must’ve been getting the wrong end of the “pipe” when i first read it.

I know someone that uses it to load. Didn't know that until they were leaving the yard and was a poor last impression. Yes, you just need to wave it at her NOW but please track that back through the obvious cause and effect yuck.

It isnt worse than hitting hour horse with anything else I suppose, realistically, but it does have extra nasty aura.

 

[rabatsa]

No need to hit, the sound of the air rushing through or over the hole is the encouragement. You can get black versions if you wish to be discreet. I have used pipe for years when moving cattle.

 

[Sandstone1]

No need to hit, the sound of the air rushing through or over the hole is the encouragement. You can get black versions if you wish to be discreet. I have used pipe for years when moving cattle.

Its not encouragement its fear.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Colt handlers at studs used blue pipe when handling boisterous animals. Kelly Marks advocates a soft tasseled rope as an encourager/distractor ..I remember her using it to encourage a big horse to open up to gallop and I used one to encourage our gelding to go forward in canter instead of staying on the spot. It got flicked side to side on the shoulders… But in a napping situation I’ve not used it so not sure if it would work. A technique I do use though is wiggling my seat in the saddle until horse moves then I sit still when horse moves…but only if napping not if frightened of something.

 

[supertramp]

Thankyou for all the replies, I realise the mistake I thought would help, and have acknowledged this. I will get support and pro help. I had never mentioned hitting, and feel ashamed.

 

[smolmaus]

Thankyou for all the replies, I realise the mistake I thought would help, and have acknowledged this. I will get support and pro help. I had never mentioned hitting, and feel ashamed.

Its fairly obvious you didn't know the context, no need for shame! You didn't know, you asked and now you know! No problem! You've done the right thing in asking!

People do just react strongly to that particular piece of "equipment" as the vast majority of times you see it used it is to leather a horse or threaten to, by quite rough horse people.

 

[I'm Dun]

Thankyou for all the replies, I realise the mistake I thought would help, and have acknowledged this. I will get support and pro help. I had never mentioned hitting, and feel ashamed.

Dont be. We all make mistakes. I hope you can come back and post a happy update soon. Welshies can be very dramatic, but once they get over it, its generally never an issue again.

 

[Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls]

Don't be hard on yourself. I am sure none of us imagined you would beat your horse hell for leather to solve the issue. I for one didn't read your post as seriously asking how to use blue pipe. I am a bit touchy on the subject as I am in Ireland and have witnessed abuse as mentioned in first reply on your thread.

Good luck, with time and patience you will get there. Personally I find just sitting there and allowing absolutely no movement unless it is forward works well. You just have to let them get bored and give in before you do.

 

[LEC]

Last time I used blue pipe was for a herd of cows running at me! It's a great visual for them. Makes some noise and can be hit on the ground to help with noise. For all these reasons it was popular with horses who wouldn't go forwards. They can see it with their 180 vision when you waved it and if you whacked them with it, it wouldn't leave welts...

But we know better now and we know horses are not just 'trying it on', 'being naughty', or 'doing it on purpose'. Horses just react to what's going on and their feelings and napping is a lack of confidence or something going on as mentioned above. In the past I would have bullied them about napping but now just do the one step praise or get off and lead them, then get back on. Have much happier horses who then pick up bravery in other situations.

 

[Gloi]

Colt handlers at studs used blue pipe when handling boisterous animals.

Also handy for the cocky colts to bite on instead of the handlers arm.