afraid of whips

[Stella2]

I've just bought a horse (who I have known at the local riding school for the past year) who is terrified if a rider carries a whip. It doesn't take much to work out that he has been beaten by one in the past. He is a very forward going, willing horse and I have no intention of riding him with a whip, but our yard can be busy and bustling at times and I would like to reduce his fear as he will keep seeing people carrying them. It occurs to me that when he is well settled with me, it might be an idea to try to introduce him to one in a completely non-confrontational way, perhaps move towards stroking him with one. I would value the opinions of others.

Ann

[Dressage_Luvr]

hi,

the mare i ride is terrified of someone carrying one, not a lunge whip, but like, riding ones.

she saw my instructor sorta point one somewhere and took off,

my instructor felt terrible, and came over, and petted her, and ran the whip over her body and legs.

shes not afraid of them when we do TTeam work tho, weird, only when riding.

but she used to be a race hrose... so u never know!

[cvb]

The parelli carrot stick is somewhere between a whip and a lunge whip - and is used to extend your body language. So something like that might work. Trouble is, there is only Parelli who supply it - or a place that do something similar in Scotland (needless to say it is cheaper than Parelli !).

[Dressage_Luvr]

hey,

the whips we use

are called wands,

and theyre white, with a black knob on the end, we always run it down the horses legs and body, then tap it on the feet and stuff.

and when we lead them, like if were doing TTeam work, we holdit out infront, and when we want to stop, we stop, say hoa, and sorta wave it straight up and down, not fast or close to the hrose.

i wouldnr reccoment that right now with your hrose if its really scared tho, just get it used to having it near him, or people carrying one, not on him, just aorund him, since u said u ont be riding with one.

[maverick927]

Have you ever considered putting an old whip in his stable. then he will first get used to seeing whips without it doing harm. Then rub the whip all over his body. He should soon get used to it.

[virtuallyhorses]

Mavericks on the right path, desensitisation will be the key for this horse and depending on just how afraid he is you may have to start with very non-confrontational things before you even considering holding one or rubbing his body with it.

If you can get hold of old whips beyond their use-by date you could try hanging a couple of whips along the fence of the paddock near the gate - the horse can then see them and decide for itself whether it approaches to investigate. Then move onto having one sitting somewhere in sight when he's fed, in his stall etc etc until he is completely unphased by the sight of any whip. Then you can move on to actually holding one - perhaps when he's fed you could just hang onto a whip while you sit nearby and then gradually build up his confidence in easy steps... you know this horse best and will be able to plan the steps that he can cope with. Be careful to move slowly with it when you do start to work with him, remember horse's perceive movement far more accelerated than we do, so you have to compensate by slowing down far more with your own body movements. good luck

[Cathy Reynolds]

Henry is the same (we've had him for nearly 4 months now). I can't carry a whip as he FREAKS and if I'm out hacking with Hannah on her pony she has to carry her whip on Henry's offside, even. He's been whopped, too, we're certain of it. We have all sorts of other problems linked to school work but we are getting there, slowly. Take your time and don't despair. Just gently let him sniff them, waggle one around very gently when in the yard (with a reat at the same time) etd

[Wally]

I've had Ljossie now for 3 years, we all still creep around him gently and he's getting better, but his stick phobia is still as strong as ever. I can't carry one on him, I cannot ride next to someone carrying one, so we simply aviod the situation, when riding the other rider keeps their whip on the other side to us, and I have never needed anything other than the power of thought to get him to do anything!

In his case I feel to try to de-sensetize him would make him worried, so I'm not going to bother.

I saw one trainer get the horse and rider to loose school or round pen with the rider playing with the whip, no real interaction with the horse, just get the rider to make a game with the whip, once the horse saw there was no pressure and the whip was not going to involve him he calmed down and after a few days was calm enough to allow the rider to stroke him with it and the horse saw no further threat.

[Dizzy]

My mare Dizzy was petrified of whips, and arms and any sudden movements. She was owned by my friend, but loaned to me. She was bought from an auction, and my friend was told after she'd paid up, she'd had 3 different homes in as many months.

For a long time we tiptoed around her, feeling guilty when an innocent movement on our behalf sent her cowering to the back of the stable. In the end we realised this wasn't helping her, we stopped tiptoeing and acted natural, ignoring her fear, but offering reassurance, took along time but paid off. But we still did not carry a whip, she never ever needed one, she was incredibly sensitive, head in the air and though she went forward, thats all she did, she completely flew off the gentlest of leg pressure and was a nightmare to stop. Thats when I resorted to lessons.

I ended up moving her up to my instructors yard, and after countless lessons, my riding improved and she accepted my legs. But my instructor began to learn to learn TTeam, this involves inhand work using a 'wand' which is really just a stick or whip.

I gave it a go with Dizzy, we started by stroking her with the whip, by this time Dizzy had alot of faith in me, and though she was physically and mentally uncomfortable with it, I did a little bit every day. I always started at her shoulder and never went further than she could bear, it took ages, but we got there. In the end I could stroke her everywhere with my whip, we moved from there to inhand work using the whip as an extention of my hand. I would guess that all of this took place over about 2 years, a long time I know, but she was a very complicated horse, who had at sometime in her life had a really bad time. I was in no rush, I don't compete and I worshipped the ground she walked on.

I now don't believe that there is anything that can not be overcome. Dizzy never stopped wincing if I raised my hand quickly, but she did stop stepping away, if you pointed at her tummy without making contact you could see her flesh crawl. She obviously had some memories so ingrained that the after effects never ever left her. But she eventually trusted me enough to take a risk.

I'll never forget one occasion, the yard did RDA, once a year a few disabled folk would come for a weeks holiday. There was one lad who was mentally disabled, and had completely fallen for Dizzy, his speech was very loud and difficult to understand. When he saw Dizzy he would holler 'HOR' at the top of his voice.

This night I was tacking Diz up to go for a ride and he had stood and watched us, occasionly shouting 'Hor' and each time she had jumped, anyway I climbed on and said 'right, we're off now, see you later' he smiled then leapt forward, gave Dizzy's head a bear hug and kissed her smack between the eyes. I was horrified, I expected her to explode, she was so head shy - did she? No, she lapped it up, he let go, we went on our merry way, with my jaw trailing the ground. This made me really think, that lad had no other motive than to hug Dizzy, his action was completely spontaneous, open, no apprehension and full of love.

I learnt alot from that, mainly to stop thinking for my horse, instead of avoiding things because I thought she wouldn't like it or couldn't cope, I did my best to go with the flow, what an eye opener! Thats when I truly realised trust is a two way street, to be trusted, you must trust.

Lesley

[Stella2]

Thanks for your comments everyone.

Dizzy, my boy is not generally nervious but he sounds similar to your mare regarding whips. I'm going to get him generally well settled first and then play it by ear. If I can desensitize him without him becoming too wound-up, then I will probably take the time to do it simply because it may allow him to feel relaxed when he sees them. The thing is, he is known to have had this fear since he went to his previous owners at the age of 4 and he is 12 now, so I guess it may be such an established fear that it would be likely to re-surface at times anyway, so I would need to keep whips away from him anyway.

Dizzy, where abouts in the NE are you?

[Sue Carnell]

Just a quick note. Many people think that a horse must have been abused/hit with a whip if they're afraid of it? How many horses have been abused/hit with plastic bags?

Sometimes it's the same principle and the horses have never been hit with either, it's just something they're afraid of. I actually know horses who have no reaction to a whip at all, yet they have been regularly hit with them. They might generally act angry, stubborn and defiant, but not as though they are afraid, sadly for them.

On the same note, always gets me when I'm told that horses are afraid just because they're prey animals. (scaredy) Cats aren't and the dog cowering from fireworks isn't. I'm not prey, but loads of things scare me senseless. Sometimes things seem to make sense until they don't, to me anyway. :)

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[Dizzy]

Stella, I live in Barnard Castle. Its a small market town, but we attract loads of visitors, lots of folk pass through to visit the Dales and High Force. I'm about 16 miles from Darlington and Bishop Auckland. Where are you?

Good luck with your boy, let us know how things go.

I'd just like to add, that I do agree with Sue. My youngster has no real fears apart from motor bikes, there are things she doesn't like - plodgy mud and puddles spring to mind, but these have confirmed that she can jump - especially from a stand still. But whips, wrapped round bales, bin bags, heavy traffic don't really do more than raise an eye brow.

Though on the other hand suspicious clumps of grass, boulders, cows and birds suddenly bursting out from the under growth have produced quite a few impressive spooks. With the birds, I know for a fact I spook before she does, in fact I think she only really spooks because of I jump out of my skin, as she only jumps one stride then is walking along calmly, while my heart is still banging like a drum.

Lesley

[FreedomStar]

I suggest first letting the horse to 'get to know' the whip. Keep one in the stall, and let your horse play with it, whatever. You might even hang it a safe distance on the ceiling, but make sure it's SAFE.

[Wally]

I have to say Ljossie is as frightened of the stick as he is of...well, just about everything else.

Grooming kit trays, farrier's tools, Mr. Saddlecloth coming to get him, reins over his head........ so trying to persuade him Mr. Stick isn't going to get him may be a losing battle.

In his case it is a complete mistrust of people regardless of what they are holding.......but he's getting better;)

[Wally]

Following on from Sue Carnell's post.....
I just remembered this incident.
Horses arrived back from a hack an bit sweaty, big sponge which we use to wipe down had gone missing, so Frances used a paint roller (very handy) to wash the horses down with. Rossi had a fit at it and wouldn't let it near him.

Frances' young daughter was in the school and a tourist was speaking to her about the horses. He mentioned Rossi's reaction to the paint roller and sadi to her that maybe he was beaten up with one as a foal........to say Frances' daughter's face was a picture didn't even go there........we were in fits of laughter at her reaction. She just couldn't understand why this chap was being so silly.She thought she was being patronised in the extreme! and she made no effort to hide her feelings. "No, he just doesn't like the paint roller" was her reply.....kids don't you just love 'em.

As far as I know Rossi has suffered no paint roller abuse!

[Stella2]

Sue, Wally,

Good points, well made and it hadn't occured to me before you mentioned it, but cats (predators) are probably as spooky as horses aren't they?!

Dizzy, I know your area, I'm South Tyneside, my horses are stabled in Chester-le-street. Are you coming to the NE NR lunch on Monday in Durham? Have you been to the others?

[Stella2]

for the person who may require clarification (you know who you are :eek: !!). I am well aware that this horse already had his fear of whips when he went to his previous owners!

[Sue Carnell]

re: Wally and the paint roller.

Rotfl! How funny... However, I have to admit, I'm having real difficulty imagining the yard where they can't find a sponge, but a clean paint roller just happens to be handy. Not only that, someone has the initiative to use it! One day I just have to come and see. :) :)

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[Shady_Indigo]

*lol* what kind of person would bash a horse and with all things...a paint roller???
Im scared of spiders but no one has ever bashed me around the head with one...

[Dizzy]

Stella, unfortunately I can't go on Monday, as I am working. I haven't managed to go to any yet, but I would love to one day.

My hubby and I work shifts, and we have a 3 yr old daughter, between us we have very little 'free' time. I'm not complaining, I know things will get better when Amy starts school, she's only just missed it this Sept, as her birthday is Sept 3rd, but I'm glad really - another year at nursery won't do her any harm. I get to keep my baby a little longer - she's grown up far too fast as it is
;)

I'll look out for the posts on your meeting, have fun :D

Lesley

[Laetitia]

What a brilliant idea! I'm off to get a paint roller.L

[Wally]

There is a very good reason for there being a plethora of paint rollers about......Frances' man is a professional interior designer, painter and decorator.

His next paint job might be a bit hairy, but we'll just tell him it's a new paint effect, he won't use woodchip or magnolia on ethical grounds so he can try horsehair paint effects instead!!

[Laetitia]

Is he coming Southwards? My mini-carthorse would appreciate a paint job, and as for my kitchen!! L.

[I_Love_Ponies]

Try approching her slowly and slowly show her the wipp and let her smell it. Just take it nice and easy with her. If she dosen't run away try slowly touching her with it and just her used to it.








Megan:) :)