Getting a horse off the leg

[Skib]

I think there is a problem of vocabulary here. There is kicking with the heel or toe of your boot and there is giving a leg aid with the inside of your calf which was what Davison showed.
Plus therre is a big difference between doing it regularly and doing it just once,
I dont think I have ever kicked a horse but even if I had, a kick from a pony club child or an 80 year old rider is not on the same scale as a kick from a footballer or fit professional rider. And those riders may use spurs in training, which riders like me have never worn.
There is however an advantage in watching professionals ride. There are times in a crisis when you may need that additional touch of authority.
I think it was Perry Wood in Just Riding who suggested it might be a good thing to observe and (as an exercise) to imitate the riding style of a top professional.

 

[Jambarissa]

I'm a fan of teaching response to the lightest aids so don't do gradual escalation of pressure.

Its a gentle squeeze then a strong flick with the whip - and straight back to the original pace and ask again rather than just keep going.

I ride cobs and I feel that gradual escalation - squeeze, squeeze harder, nudge, kick, tap, whip - and stopping once you finally get what you want just deaden them.

For downward transitions I use clicker training but it's not usually an issue on my cobs.