Following on from my other post about horse taking the pee???

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Ok, so it was pointed out from some people the I was wrong for smacking a horse for running out at a small fence that he was well capable of jumping and that it must be my bad riding why he did this...

So, if you jump, would you smack your horse for doing this?? if not, what would you do instead??

Just wondered what people would do if my way (well my dads way really) is wrong??
 
Just to clarify, I didn't say it was wrong, just that when disciplining a horse it is important to understand the thought processes of the animal, such as they are, and to understand the effect of doing this.

Every horse needs discipline, boundaries and clear guidance, sometimes that will involve giving them a tap, once you have eliminated pain, lack of understanding and simple physical inability to comply with your instructions.
 
Its very difficult, my mare did her high suspensory two years ago whilst jumping howeber she is chestnut. She is perfectly sound now tho and occasionaly we jump her.
She has an attitude problem and after refusing twice at something she can easily jump (ex grade B mare) she will get a proper smack. However she drops dead never runs out.

Tolerance to a point but otherwise they think your a walk over and will continue to do it!
 
I'm really not some kind of happy slapper TW,
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It was clear that he wasn't in pain and was capable of doing it and he only got one smack.... think it's a bit harsh that I was made out to be a crap rider who is quite cruel and doesn't understand horses for the first time I've smacked a horse is years!
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Didnt see the original post.
If the smack was after the run out, then yes, it probably does no good at all and just shows the riders frustrations.
However if it was a a preventative measure then would agree.
If a horse ran out with me I wouldnt smack it immediately. I would turn it back in tight and give it one round the ring whilst facing the jump.
 
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I'm really not some kind of happy slapper TW,
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It was clear that he wasn't in pain and was capable of doing it and he only got one smack.... think it's a bit harsh that I was made out to be a crap rider who is quite cruel and doesn't understand horses for the first time I've smacked a horse is years!
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I am obviously recalling the wrong post then. I understood this to be an inexperienced horse, and I don't think I necessarily said that using the stick is wrong, simply that looking at a problem in terms of the horse simply taking the pee is a bit like attributing human thought processes to an animal - no judgement of your riding ability at all from me
 
I think that could have ended in mad gallop at the jump and could have resulted in injury!
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Thing is, it did work though! I smacked him strait after, he's not that thick to not know what it was for and he jumped great after and didn't put a foot wrong....

(I wasn't frustrated BTW, not my horse so not that bothered but my dad told me to hit him so I did..)
 
Yea maybe I didn't word it that well, think I meant - how often do they "not try because they think they can get away with it".

He is green, and so it does seem a bit mean, although I think it's easier to teach these lessons early for an easier life for everyone in the future?

You still haven't said what you would have done?
 
I tend new things loose schooling, or on a lunge - helps the horse to find its own balance, before introducing a rider to the equation. If I have established that the horse CAN do it and has no reason to refuse and there is a problem I would always examine the rider first to be sure that the signals are not ambiguous, and yes, use a stick as a last resort - although simply carrying the stick is usually enough incentive.
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When my pony runs out, i know he has no reason to as he has everything checked regularly. I also know he is competely capable as i have seen him jump about 1m higher than i jump him so if he runs out at a 2'6 fence or a x-pole, i do give him a smack. This always works and he does not do it again. It may be me, but as far as i know and have been told/taight that it is him taking the p!ss!
 
The point that I was making was that the horse sounded green - so why bash it for running out at the fence - especially when it was put up after it clearly was unhappy at the lower level.

Poor judgement and riding is not a reason to give a horse a wallop.
 
I'm sorry if I offended you but I don't think I mentioned your riding. I did also say in my post that I was writing it for ANYONE reading it. So the information was giving ideas for ANYONE to try. You have remember that everyone has a different oppinion and its not aimed personally.

As for what I do: I previously said that my boy is new to jumping (AND its not natural for him as his career until I came along was as a carriage horse) and I'm not experienced at jumping. He always jumps better in lessons and I think that is because my instructor is talking me through what we are doing and with his guidance I have way more confidence. But when I jump at home, I'm alone and I always have that "What if" in the back of my mind. When my boy refuses or runs out I just put him straight back in front of the fence, over and over again. He's learned now that he might as well jump because I'm just going to re-present him with the fence until he does jump. I think we've all been talking about "positive reward" which I feel achieves a lot more than a punishment (in the majority of cases). However, I hasten to add that I have an amzing horse who 9 times out of 10 tries his heart out for me, so I am one of those amazingly lucky people with an easy horse. Whilst I've made him sound like a numpty when we jump his flat work is fantastic and dressage is where our hearts lie.
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