to scared!!!!!!!!!

[hosreball mad]

i have been ridding 4 about a year and im still scared 2 use a crop help please help i need to lean

[Showjumper]

Why do you need to use a crop? If the horses you ride move forwards off the leg, you shouldn't need to use one.

But remember, if the horses are very sluggish, one quick smack with a crop is infinitely kinder than constant kicking.

[Samsky]

Remember you dont want the horse laughing at you which it will be if you do all the work and they aren't listening.

[Grace O'Malley]

First, just show him that you have it. Many times that's enough to get them to take you seriously.

If that doesn't work, hit your own leg with it. You won't be hitting the horse that way (and it won't hurt your leg), and the noise may be enough to get the horse moving.

If it still doesn't work, a slap on the shoulder really isn't painful, and as others have said it's less annoying (for the horse and you) than constant kicking in the ribs.

Good luck and don't feel bad about being reluctant to hit them.

Grace

[Samsky]

be careful about using the whip on the shoulder though as really, a whip is there to back up your leg aids and you wouldnt use these on the horses shoulder.

[easyhorsecare]

If you are to use the whip because your pony is feeling rather stubborn, rather than giving him a little tap behind your leg, if you swing the whip forward infront of your leg and then backwards behind your leg, can sometimes be all that is needed.
Or maybe he is just feeling a little bored and needs a change to brighten his day!
Enjoy riding
From Tracy