To use whip in riding lessons

[Grajo]

I have had 6 different instructors in my local riding school. Other instructors have allowed me to use the whip on lazy horses (though I don't use it excessive), One of them doesn't allow me to use it, but if she saw me having a whip in my hand, she will throw me out of the lessons !! It was when I asked her if I can borrow one of the whips (on lazy horse) Many of other clients have brought their own whips!!! Nevertheless, I've spent almost entire 30 minutes kicking on this horse!!

So what do you think? Any advice?

 

[Jenko109]

Is this the same riding school that you were slagging off a few days ago?

 

[Arzada]

So what do you think? Any advice?

I think that this is no way to learn to ride or to treat a horse and you need to find a different riding school.

 

[DressageCob]

I can understand not being allowed to use a whip if you're using it excessively or incorrectly.

My instructor has taken mine off me in the past to encourage me to get my legs more effective, since in championship tests you can't carry a whip ?

I wouldn't be happy with someone kicking constantly for 30 minutes though. I would expect an instructor to drive the horse forwards with a lunge whip if the client isn't capable of carrying a whip themselves

 

[maggiestar]

The few times an instructor has tried to bully me into using the whip we've always fallen out because I won't do it. If a horse won't move off the leg then it won't do any good whipping it. I prefer to use instructors who I chime with rather than get into a continuous fight with man or beast. You say you've spent 30 minutes kicking this horse? That wouldn't sit right with me at all. You're not learning sympathetic or effective horsemanship, you're learning to bully. Time to find more sympathetic instructors.

 

[Winters100]

I think that it is impossible for anyone to advise whether or not you should be allowed the whip as we have not seen the lessons. From your posts however it seems that you are unhappy with the RS, so I would seek a new place to ride and see if you enjoy it better.

 

[Ratface]

I remember your previous post. I can only suggest that you change riding school (difficult, if I remember correctly) ask to ride the horse you said you got on better with, or find a Riding for the Disabled Centre.
It seems that neither you or the horse are benefitting from each others' involvement in your/their lives.

 

[Skib]

You have posted this on another forum? I answered it there.
This is what I posted.
Ride with no whip.
You rein ends will do instead or take your hand off the rein and use your hand on your thigh.
I was accused by my bullying first RI after my first fall of beating my horse uncontrollably. In truth I never used the whip and after 20 years, I have still never hit a horse. I was caned and hit as a child and it put me off.
I have even hacked with no whip when my escort forgot hers and needed to borrow mine.

A whip is not needed by new riders, When you come to do dressage, a long schooling whip may be useful to cue behind your leg.

 

[numptynovice]

Most riding schools don’t let you carry a stick when you’re an absolute beginner. My daughter learned for years before she was given a stick.

I find that the horses that seemed incredibly lazy when I started riding at my current riding school now go much better off my leg because I’ve learned to ride more effectively. I do carry a dressage whip but very, very, very rarely use it - if I do it’s only ever a light tap on the bottom to remind them to use their back end if they’re tripping over their feet or to back up my leg if they’re ignoring it.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I totally agree that beginners should not carry sticks. However, back in the day when I worked at a RS taking out hacks my boss put a ban on sticks. One mare was particularly crafty about ignoring the leg. I once saw her decide she was going one way opposite to the ride and she set off with her head literally pulled round to her girth but still determinedly trotting forward. Anyway on one occasion when she was really taking the mickey I broke off a dry stem of hogweed and gave to her rider. If you had waved it, it would have broken but it didn't matter as she thought it was a stick and behaved herself.

 

[moosea]

I have had 6 different instructors in my local riding school. Other instructors have allowed me to use the whip on lazy horses (though I don't use it excessive), One of them doesn't allow me to use it, but if she saw me having a whip in my hand, she will throw me out of the lessons !! It was when I asked her if I can borrow one of the whips (on lazy horse) Many of other clients have brought their own whips!!! Nevertheless, I've spent almost entire 30 minutes kicking on this horse!!

So what do you think? Any advice?

Hi Grajo,

I've been reading your posts for a while now but not commented until now as others have given you some very good advice.

I have noticed that your posts tend to be very direct and to the point and I hope you don't mind if I also use that style of writing to reply to you.

You need to ask your instructor why you are not allowed to use a whip. They are the only one who can answer this for you.
However consider these possible reasons.
You may not be competent to hold the reins and whip correctly. Holding the whip may encourage you to move your hands
excessively.
You will not learn to ride by using your whip at this point. The horse is probably not lazy but smart! the horse knows you are unable to give a strong leg aid and therefore ignores you. 90% of the 'lazy' or 'slow' horses in riding schools are actually responsive to confident, able riders without a whip!
You have hearing problems, and it may be that you have previously used the whip at the wrong time or for the wrong reason. The instructor cannot correct you doing this in time to stop you doing it??

Just a few reasons for you to consider.

You need to fully understand the reasons for carrying a whip and its uses before you start to use one and you certainly should not be reliant on a whip on most horses while you are learning.

Rather than worry about this issue you should perhaps turn your focus to learning the theory of how to ride with your natural aids in between your practical lessons.
Not sure if you are having private lessons or group. If it is private I would imagine that you are now walking and trotting reasonably and have tried cantering a few times?? So now you should be really focusing on your position and use of the aids.

Regarding comments on your other post about possible discrimination. I don't think there is much you can or would expect to do about that. Their responses, or lack of, based on health and safety concerns are valid. I don't think I'd want to learn at a place that resented the extra effort to teach me. A good school will go above and beyond to overcome any barriers any rider has.

The RDA has been suggested to you many times. You do not seem to want to take advantage of thier wealth of knowledge and I'm not sure why?
It could be that they may have suggestions for more 'real time' communication between you and the instructor which would help to ease communication between you both.
I get the feeling that you are very frustrated at times with the riding stage you are currently at. I have news for you ..... we ALL have that!! Riding sometimes seems to plateau and you feel there is no significant progress .... sometimes you feel like you are going backwards!!! It's ok ... when you feel like that at least you know that you are about to start accending in your skill level soon!

It's a special honour to truly ride a horse and it is an unwritten rule that the horses MUST come first. Help the horses you ride by putting in the effort that you expect them to put in. Read books, watch videos. Learn as much as you can in your non riding time. If you read something and you'd like to work on it talk to your instructor about trying it in a lesson.

 

[AmyMay]

? ??? Moosea

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Just one small point if I may. Further up thread it was suggested you use your reins instead of a crop.

Please never ever do this when using English style tack, the buckle on the reins is very severe when used as some sort of whip across the neck and withers to push a horse on. Apart from anything else your hands will certainly not be where they should be if you try the cowboy style to move the horse forward.!

When riding western the reins do not have a buckle, but even then you should only be using the reins to neck rein, not to hit the horse!

I do think the suggestion that you try a RDA centre is a very good one and could help your progress much more quickly and correctly than the school you are using at the moment.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Would agree totally with what "Moosea" above is saying.

Cannot add anything to it other than to say please do not feel there is any "stigma" attached to your going to a Riding for the Disabled instructor; forgive me if being insensitive but I rather suspect that you might feel a little embarrassed at this prospect and that this is stopping you from approaching them?

I think that once you break through that initial barrier you will be incredibly glad that you did so; it feels like you need a specialised instructor to help you with your physical issues and an RDA centre would be best placed to be of help to you right now.

Please I would urge you to make the approach.