> We carry a stick when we ride, doesn't mean we whip them I always carry a whip when I ride and I have never "whipped" a horse or even smacked them with any kind of force. One of the first things I do with a horse is teach them from the ground that the whip is not something to be feared. My whip is used more to tap them to make my wishes clearer - almost like a third leg. I would prefer to use a tap with the whip then a strong leg. I also use it as a spider web clearer on the trail and an exrension of my arm to shoo flies away or to reach their rear from the ground if I want them to move over I can swing my whip all around my horses, raise it like I'm going to strike them or whatever and they won't even flinch because they know it's not a bad thing in my hands. A lot of times it's even used to scratch an itchy place. Are there other ways to teach them to do what I want - probably - but this works for me and I don't see any reason to stop using an effective tool.--
Laree
