Mental block when it comes to whips, can't use them!

daisydoo

daisydoo

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I think it comes from my RS days I hated being told to use my whip and I haven't used one since!

I know used correctly they are supposed to be an extension of the arm etc and thinking about it i might even be hypocritical as I've used the lead rope to give a 'pop' to correct dangerous behaviour but my thinking is horses are usually already desensitised to lead ropes as they are seen as none threatening as I hate seeing a horse anxious when it sees a whip. I don't want to inflict fear I want to be removing it.

Sorry im babbling, sooo can I school effectively just using a long rope to lunge etc or do I need a lunge whip, I understand it never touches the horse again it's just a 'thing' I have about using whips. I'm looking for an instructor at the moment to help with long reining etc in the summer and worried they'll try and push using a stick or whatever...

Should I just get over it and just think of it as a training aid (not to inflict fear) or work to sharpen up communication skills on the ground and just work with voice and body language?
 
I am not an advocate of beating your horse up but I think you need to get over your mental issue with them. Maybe it would be more helpful to think of them as a school aid rather than a punishment?

Whips used correctly are a valuable aid and far better than constantly nagging your horse with your leg. They are very useful teaching a horse lateral movements or even asking for more activity from behind.

I always carry a schooling whip but hardly ever use it even out hacking. If I do, it is an occasional tickle or tap depending on what I am using it for. My horses are not terrorized by my sticks and even enjoy a scratch by their ears with one!
 
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You don't need a whip to school if you don't want. Get one of the parreli style live ropes and use the end to flick towards the horse rather than whip. These type of ropes are easier to work with as less floppy and more directable than standard lunge line.
 
I dont think any instructor should force you to do something you're not comfortable with - they should be able to think of another way, many roads lead to rome and all that.

It can def be useful to use rather than nagging legs on dead sides, however you could use a whipwhop type thing, on yourself to create energy, clicker train a better response from the horse, use pebbles in a bottle to create a sound stimulus etc......

Suggest you look at an EE instructor - they def wouldnt push using a whip!
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/teacher_find.htm
 
I always carry a whip when schooling, but hardly ever need to use it. Just carrying it gives extra 'umph'. Also I think a lunge whip is imortant if you are lunging correctly to help with impulsion and changes within the gaits.

However, if your horse is really forward going, then I see no need to use a whip. I don't carry one when riding my mare because she is really enthusiastic. But would rather carry a whip than constantly nag with the legs. Can't be very pleasant for a horse to be repeatedly thumped in the sides with heavy boots.
 
I had the same attitude as you with regards to whips. I also hate being told to kick it! So... One of my lessons with a French classical instructor was based almost solely on how to use a whip correctly. It was really interesting and I did get a telling off about my "intent" and also using it in a way which merely desensitised the horse so that it learnt to ignore it. It was well worth the money. ( and scolding :() the objective was to get the horse so you never had to use it. I would not ever use a whip to punish or hurt a horse and I hate seeing them handed to beginners without proper explanation or instruction.

Interestingly, yesterday I had a lesson on one of the beginner RS horses that I'd not ridden for a year. In that time he has learnt to ignore it completely and also did not respond to any amount of leg! He used to have a hissy fit if you used it but would then work for you. Hard work or what! But a good example of what you get if you are constantly nudging and kicking and tapping..very dead to aids horse.:(
 
You could tie a piece of string to the end of a normal riding whip, easier to hold and the horse is aware of it, but you dont have to use it. I do this with cobby.
 
Im the same. I hate them. I wouldnt like it if someone came up behind my little arse and tapped it if I wasnt walking fast enough so why should we do that to our horses. Having said that I do take one with me out hacking as they are sometimes helpful with the gates. I think there are better ways to work with your horse. Im prob looked own on for that hey ho:)
 
Lots of people - myself included - don't use whips. It is not compulsory :D

If yu don't want to, don't, it's as easy as that.

If you want to lunge correctly without a whip but while still working your horse well, check out either Marijke de Jong's Straightness Training or Philippe Karl's DVDs :)

I have also never found that it is either a whip or kick - it's possible to ride well without a whip AND without kicking - my horse would be horrified if I booted him to make him go - he'd be as shocked as I would if a friend came up and poked me hard in the rib cage ;)

There are plenty of good instructors who can show you how to motivate your horse without a whip, just a case of finding one local to you.
 
daisydoo said:
I think it comes from my RS days I hated being told to use my whip and I haven't used one since!

I know used correctly they are supposed to be an extension of the arm etc and thinking about it i might even be hypocritical as I've used the lead rope to give a 'pop' to correct dangerous behaviour but my thinking is horses are usually already desensitised to lead ropes as they are seen as none threatening as I hate seeing a horse anxious when it sees a whip. I don't want to inflict fear I want to be removing it.

Sorry im babbling, sooo can I school effectively just using a long rope to lunge etc or do I need a lunge whip, I understand it never touches the horse again it's just a 'thing' I have about using whips. I'm looking for an instructor at the moment to help with long reining etc in the summer and worried they'll try and push using a stick or whatever...

Should I just get over it and just think of it as a training aid (not to inflict fear) or work to sharpen up communication skills on the ground and just work with voice and body language?
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i use 2 line lunging it works really well with my 4yr old and it monty roberts style and lets your horse unge in its natural position .....AND NO WHIP you just flick the line that runs behind his bum
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sorry i am not very good at expaining:o:o ....you should look it up
 
Thanks guys! My filly is only young so it's a case of wanting to train her to pick up on subtle cues as natural as possible through voice and body language. I've taught her how to yield to pressure and ground manners and I'm looking for an instructor to help me start long lining in the summer-I started another thread asking opinions on kevin woods and Suzanne marshall. I've seen people lunging with no whip and always thought did they start with a whip and then got rid of it once the horse fully understood. Again sounds hypocritical but id be happy with flicking a line if needed. I've got a while yet so first will find my instructor! X
 
I don't beat my ponies, or use a whip that often but do carry one. I also use it for gates and a scratch behind the ears as someone else mentioned. What's the difference between flicking a lunge line, at horse or flicking a whip? It's the same thing your still flicking something at them.
 
when you two line lunnging the line in attached to the other side of the horse and you are not flicking it at the horse tthe line is already behind him
p.s when my 4 yr old came to me he had a phobia of whips .....this really worked for him
 
I don't beat my ponies, or use a whip that often but do carry one. I also use it for gates and a scratch behind the ears as someone else mentioned. What's the difference between flicking a lunge line, at horse or flicking a whip? It's the same thing your still flicking something at them. I do know ponies that are scared of whips because people haven't used them correctly, and I feel like whacking those people with a whip. But when used correctly a horse or pony won't be scared of it. I have refused to use of before when having a lesson and I don't think it was appropriate.
 
it also lets the horse run it naturaly ummmm its hard to explain .....but when a horse runs round with one line lunging he has to bend away but two line lunging he doesnt .......again look up monty roberts two lie lunging ....
 
daisydoo said:
Thanks guys! My filly is only young so it's a case of wanting to train her to pick up on subtle cues as natural as possible through voice and body language. I've taught her how to yield to pressure and ground manners and I'm looking for an instructor to help me start long lining in the summer-I started another thread asking opinions on kevin woods and Suzanne marshall. I've seen people lunging with no whip and always thought did they start with a whip and then got rid of it once the horse fully understood. Again sounds hypocritical but id be happy with flicking a line if needed. I've got a while yet so first will find my instructor! X
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if you want natural horsemanship look up the intelligent horsemanship and ,look for there recomened associate for you area .........they are very good no whip kinda people
 
cider loving mare said:
I don't beat my ponies, or use a whip that often but do carry one. I also use it for gates and a scratch behind the ears as someone else mentioned. What's the difference between flicking a lunge line, at horse or flicking a whip? It's the same thing your still flicking something at them.
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None so long as it is flicking the whip (in the air) or touching gently (schooling whip) to indicate something, not hitting with it. Do you think flicking the long line can cause pain?
There are many who don't agree with using pressure as a motivator, I am not one of them but imo it should be used with great timing and subtlety in general training. Upping pressure does have a place but inflicting pain doesn't in my view.

ps. If a horse has learned during it's education that whips = pain then the sight of a whip becomes a different type of motivator than just pressure imo.
 
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