Silly question about training stick?

[Lili & Morgan]

This is a silly question about training stick :confused:

Does they have to be 4 feet long? Why this length?

I had a beautiful Silversand training stick, who got stolen :mad: . A friend lends me her Parelli Carrot stick. I find it too long or maybe too heavy because the Silversand one, was much lighter.

So Is there a reason for 4 feet long ? ;)

I woudl like one BRIGHT PINK, anybody knows, where I could find one?

[Crystal Fire]

Oh no! Your lovely stick stolen!! But it must be the only one in Italy!
The Silversand sticks are lighter because that seems to work better on people's wrists, and it also reinforces the idea of never putting too much pressure on. There must be someone else out there making light sticks, but I'm not sure who, everyone else seems to still work on the Carrot Stick model.
4 ft is a good length for groundwork, helps for you to measure a space between you and the horse. But we also do shorter sticks for riding, again because people find them easier to use.
There have only ever been two bright pink Silversand sticks - and I have one of them. I don't know who got the other, but there aren't any plans to make more at the moment. :D

[Greentchr]

My understanding of the sticks length is that 4 foot plus the reach of your arm is the approximate length of a horse's kick- thereby keeping you out of the reach of a stray kick .

I find the carrot stick a bit heavy also, though I like the solid feel of it. I use it for more than working with my horse, however- I break thin ice with the handle, use it to turn off the electric fencer, raise electric fence with it to step through, herd turkeys, close the pigeon carrier door... it truly is a multi-purpose tool!

[mayoguinness]

I used to find carrot sticks quite heavy to deal with. Now I don't think anything of it, I guess its what you get used to:)

[Crystal Fire]

Yep, some of us spent years waving Carrot Sticks about until they became almost part of our bodies. But that doesn't change the fact that they are quite heavy and you don't need that weight to do the job. Which is why we have different training sticks in our gear cupboards now. ;)

[Lili & Morgan]

Oh no! Your lovely stick stolen!! But it must be the only one in Italy!


I am still very :mad: off about it. I have found one pink stick on-line. Then I am going to ask Lodge rope to make a "training string" BRIGHT PINK :p I doubt people will steal it ....
Because I ahve my suspicions on a male member of my yard. I guess he won't go for PINK gear!! I hope :rolleyes:

[mayoguinness]

Yep, some of us spent years waving Carrot Sticks about until they became almost part of our bodies. But that doesn't change the fact that they are quite heavy and you don't need that weight to do the job. Which is why we have different training sticks in our gear cupboards now. ;)

Very true, once I might of looked into getting one but I haven't used a carrot stick in about 6 months as I simply don't need it:D

[Crystal Fire]

Hopefully you should not need to use a training stick or carrot stick forever with a horse, if you do then maybe you need a re-think of what you are doing. And maybe you might never use a training stick at all as the rope is such a useful tool. But obviously for people who are working with more than one horse and over a longer period of time, or maybe even working with several new horses on a regular basis - there is a lot said for a lighter stick. :)

[Mathew]

well good lucks with your "stiks: i am not shure what the hek yall are talkin bout ;) BUT i am still here and readin it

Happy Pink Sticks;) ;)

[mayoguinness]

Hopefully you should not need to use a training stick or carrot stick forever with a horse, if you do then maybe you need a re-think of what you are doing. And maybe you might never use a training stick at all as the rope is such a useful tool. But obviously for people who are working with more than one horse and over a longer period of time, or maybe even working with several new horses on a regular basis - there is a lot said for a lighter stick. :)

Oh yes I agree completely:)

well good lucks with your "stiks: i am not shure what the hek yall are talkin bout ;) BUT i am still here and readin it

Happy Pink Sticks;) ;)

I know, tbh I was just as well off with a stick I found on the ground in the field:D

[neen]

Where might I find a Silversand training stick in the UK? I've tried looking for a stick on the ground but we don't have a huge range of sticks on the ground in London; those that I have found have been too wavy. I'm all in favour of a light stick -- not that I've ever held a Parelli stick, but I find a lunging whip too heavy to lift so that's probably a sign I'm a bit feeble of wrist.

Crystal Fire, are you connected with Silversand?

[KateWooten]

I find a lunging whip too heavy to lift

:D I doubt you're too feeble at all - the lunge whip is typically a lot heavier - different tool entirely.

[Crystal Fire]

Yes, I organise a lot of Silversand clinics. :)
They have had the gear for the UK tour delivered to my house (!!) - so yes, I also have some lightweight training sticks. If you're interested in buying maybe you could pm me.