tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024279610973912718.post5862578625151125892..comments2022-11-08T10:17:39.883-05:00Comments on IRIDE dressage: WhipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548983935563081315noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024279610973912718.post-66358600938448644792010-03-04T18:26:23.537-05:002010-03-04T18:26:23.537-05:00Thanks for the comment, anonymous. It is good to ...Thanks for the comment, anonymous. It is good to know that people are still coming back and reading (and commenting) on the older posts. <br /> I am not sure I know what you mean about understanding vs. refusing, and that the same method is humane in each situation--do you mean that using a whip to back up the leg (kick?)is okay whether it is because a horse doesn't understand the leg, or because of refusal to go forward even when they do understand that leg means forward? Maybe I am being dense here...could you elaborate? Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03548983935563081315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024279610973912718.post-81803790412662691922010-03-04T12:32:20.342-05:002010-03-04T12:32:20.342-05:00I definitely agree with all that was said here. At...I definitely agree with all that was said here. At the same time, Kate said she strongly disagrees with the use of these as a punishment. I would like to point out that there is a _fine line_ (i dont know if those italics will turn out) between- persay a horse not understanding a kick and refusing one. Often in these situations a rider will choose to use the same method in both situations- which i believe is humane.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024279610973912718.post-64666738934792213892009-08-04T10:19:23.947-04:002009-08-04T10:19:23.947-04:00Kate and Solitairemare--I agree with your comments...Kate and Solitairemare--I agree with your comments, and my second post will get into the "application" issue, which I believe is the real point of discussion, not the whip/crop/bat itself. Thanks for your comments, as I will incorporate those into my next post...off to do lessons and chores now. I hope to post the second part tonight.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03548983935563081315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024279610973912718.post-85561095625024746112009-08-04T08:06:28.048-04:002009-08-04T08:06:28.048-04:00I have no issue with whips, bats, or spurs when us...I have no issue with whips, bats, or spurs when used in an intelligently humane way. Again, they are devices to enhance communication and in thoughtful, compassionate hands are not used for abuse. Ideally, they are used at different times in the training process and then are retired when communication between horse and rider are refined. <br /><br />It's unfortunate that anyone can acquire these items even without proper instruction in their use. As with many things, there are shades of gray between the black and white. I also take exception to a "survey" that paints an issue without a gray area.<br /><br />I look forward to the continuation of your topic.SolitaireMarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05573053727692879169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024279610973912718.post-20539510053673835262009-08-04T07:15:12.634-04:002009-08-04T07:15:12.634-04:00I never use bats or whips - even lunge whips - any...I never use bats or whips - even lunge whips - any more because I no longer need them - same reason I no longer use spurs. I'm able to effectively, and subtly, communicate with my horses without them. I have used a bat as a "secondary" cue - I swat my leg or boot with it to get the horse's attention if it isn't responding to my primary cue. That said, some people are able to use spurs and whips very delicately and precisely to communicate cues - there's nothing wrong with that, although I don't think it's really necessary and is just a matter of conventional riding in certain disciplines, which is OK with me if done properly.<br /><br />One thing I'm adamant about - whips and spurs should never, never, never (repeat infinitely) be used to punish a horse - if you use what is supposed to be an aid as a punishment device (same thing with using the bit to punish a horse - this is even worse IMO), how in the world do you expect to ever train your horse to accept, and even more importantly, willing accept your aids if at one moment it's an aid and the next moment it may be transformed into a punishment/torture device?<br /><br />[off the soapbox, handed over to someone else to take a turn]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com