Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com
> I have definitely had horses that were afraid of the whip, terrified as a > matter of fact, but we have been able to get all of them over it as long as > it was never used to punish but rather to signal. >>>That's great in theory, but there is always going to be someone that uses it for punishment. Same with the nosebands...there is always going to be someone that's afraid to ride and so tightens down that noseband as tight as it will go... It's more than theory, it is how we use it so that is my experience. Rope halters can be used to punish because the knots are put on nerve points so going along with that theory they should never be used. >>>I doubt we will ever use Dagur as a driving horse but who knows. His fear of the whip is something I would like him to overcome if he can, we just haven't worked enough with him lately to work through it. Have you tried the clicker? I have used that with great success with horses afraid of a whip. I feel as though if a horse overcomes the fear of one thing it can help them overcome the fear of other things. Just like Janice wants to do with Tivar regarding fly spray, to make his life easier should he go somewhere else. Or if other people are riding with a whip I find that can scare a horse so I like to get them over it. I guess we all have different priorities that we feel are important. Robyn
