Electric Spurs, Rapping, Smacking....Where does cruelty begin?

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Agent XXX999

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Having read the post below about polling/rapping, I was wondering what everyones views are on limitations with dicipline?

For instance, if I feel it needs to be done, I will smack my horse hard to correct him (i.e. when an old horse started to nap I ended up lashing her, cruel however she NEVER did it again)

I would never wack a pole into my horses shins, however know people that have done, usually very old school people. I also know people that put brillo pads and the like under tendon boots, and use electric spurs....yes, electric spurs...

Can I point out they are associates not friends and I do not agree with the methods that they are using.

So....where does dicipline stop and cruelty begin?
 
I think if its a behavioural thing - eg smacking a napping horse thats in a potentially dangerous situation (and noone can deny half a ton of napping horse is dangerous) then its necessary (not all the time but im talking if no other option)

However rapping is done to improve a horses jump i believe? No need for it. I've seen a beautiful horse that wouldnt hurt a fly be sent psychotic in one session where he was rapped every time. I will not tolerate it in any circumstance.

And electric spurs????blimey!! Never heard of them!
 
I think our horsemanship has developed enough for us not to need to use these awful methods. Personally, i feel that a whip should be used as an extension of your leg aid and not a beating stick. Also, if a horse is not doing as you ask, 90% of the time you are not asking correctly, so should look for better ways to communicate with your horse - not just beat it! Electric spurs? these people obviously are too lazy to train their horses and should be banned from keeping them!
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if i horse takes the pee.. it gets told.. the same when working wtih young horses.. When you dealing with 17 hh or 4 year old thats untouched.. as some point it will require a sever reprimand. If im honest.. i dont have a problem with this, if it is short and forgotten about straight away..

to a degree, rapping if done properly is also not cruel. Hum.. electric spurs.. no .. electric lung whip.. seen it used.. and the horse can to no harm, was not frightened and was going forwards in three secions from the leg
Lou x
 
If a horse is definitely being downright naughty then I don't have a problem with a single smack with a stick, but people over use it IMO. There are other ways to show your horse he is doing the wrong thing rather than just hitting him - isn't this the same principle for children now - we don't hit them anymore because we have developed the art of communication? Not that I think a slap at an appropriate time is wrong, but again, people get carried away.....
 
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to a degree, rapping if done properly is also not cruel. Hum.. electric spurs.. no .. electric lung whip.. seen it used.. and the horse can to no harm, was not frightened and was going forwards in three secions from the leg

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And electric lunge whip
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I ride horses who have in the past had electric spurs on them, they are the most difficult, dangerous horses i have ever ridden, it is disgusting and comes from total ignorance from people who should make it their business to know better
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The difference between these horses and the just backed 3 year olds is huge, the 3 yos are happy easy horses, i love riding them. The really sad thing is im sure that is how the others started out as well.
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it is disgusting and comes from total ignorance from people who should make it their business to know better
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.............
The really sad thing is im sure that is how the others started out as well.
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I second that!
 
Guess that was unlucky for you as i used to ride a numder of showjumpers that had been ridden in electric spurs. They were all very well behaved and very responsive to the leg. These sort of things happen more than you know! And not all people are cruel but some of it works (wrapping)
 
Sorry i must disagree - i do not agree with rapping FULL STOP there is absolutely NO need for it - it is just done out of pure brute strength and drive to win prizes rather than listening and caring about the horse. I'm sorry but no one will EVER convince me the rapping is fine 'if done correct' because it is not.
 
Ah i see - yes unfortunately it happens a HUGE amount - though i would argue whether it works or not - i've seen two very genuine horses both give up jumping due to being rapped, they just completely gave up the ghost and wouldnt jump a cross pole (one of these horses infact did the ladies derby at hickstead) i found it very sad.
 
I have known horses that have been rapped, the tell tale sign is that they are scared to jump if some one is stood next to the fence. If the horse isn't careful enough then use exercises such as step fences, grids, pole work and v poles. Rapping is not acceptable IMO(neither are electric spurs!)
 
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I never said it was fine or that i agreed with it. Just that it happens a lot and that it works!

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I'm sure it does work in many cases - that doesn't make it right (not a dig at you - just an observation)
 
don't know what rapping is
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But i think if a horse does something particularly bad, it should get a smack. Usually i resort to growling at her, but if she tries to take a chunk out of me, she'll get a slap. *runs away and hides* But electric spurs are sick.
 
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surely it would be spiking them constantly if its underneath the boot? As otherwise it would have to be done up so loosly that it wouldnt stay on
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Mum knew of an old Major who would put gorse in bandages to make a horse sprightly and jump high.

I only agree with smacking a horse if its misehaving - napping or what have you.

Don't agree with electric spurs, rapping e.t.c
 
Just a question...

Would you rather:

a) A horse is rapped (the pole raised by someone slightly as the horse takes off), the effect being that the horse jumps higher next time as it thinks it miss judged the height....

b) Someone riding a horse really strongly into the bottom of the fence, forcing it to hit the front/back rail, the effect being it hits its legs hard so it is scared next time it comes around to the fence, and jumps higher...


Which one is more dangerous??

I am not going to say either one is right, or I use either methods to get a horse to jump more carefully, but one of them, which I think is slightly less cruel can quite rightly not be practised in the warm up... the other... can be, and frequently is ..

I think that from what I know.. yes gridwork etc can make the horse more athletic and flexible etc. and quicker to pick up its legs.. but surely there are some horses that just dont care if they hit a pole?
 
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but if its not too carefull with his legs and you want to do well, have you not got the wrong horse?

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Much better option is C - sell the horse and buy one that has springs in its feet
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