Show Cane Use

P

puzzles

New Member
Nov 11, 2006
7,629
0
0
34
Bedfordshire
What are they actually for? :confused:At the big show this weekend at work, it was rather depressing to see several horses hit sharply, in particular around the head (considering that they are made of wood with metal ends) with them and this got me wondering; what showing canes are for, if not for this? :cool:

x
 
I was always told you'd get eliminated if you struck your horse with a show cane in the arena. Its just there to look neat. The problem is what people do in the collecting ring. I must admit I'm very glad my daughter has moved from showing to show jumping as it seems a lot less fraught - but that may just be the kid's end!
 
I've always thought they were for decoration, people are eliminated for hitting with show canes here:eek: Some horse's behaviour miraculously improves if they think you have a stick, but it's not really a schooling tool and you sure shouldn't be using it around the horse's head:( I'd have taken the person's number and laid a complaint with the secretary.
 
Show canes are decorative - show horses ought to be well schooled enough that the use of a whip isn't necessary. A whip is usually carried in WH classes though with there being fences.
 
Boredom as opposed to bad manners is one thing, perhaps he'd prefer workers? ;)

I have mixed feelings on ride judges using one. On the one hand, the horse ought to be well mannered and responsive, and shouldn't need a whip or cane for forward movement, plus a lot of ride judges wear spurs anyway, although I've seen some with dreadful hands which would obv. stop the horse going forward. On the other hand, as a competitor (whos horse thankfully isn't ridden by judges) I would be absolutely ballistic if I saw the judge hit my horse, unless in a bad manners/safety situation where I would resort to such action myself for safety reasons.
 
A ride judge I saw yesterday at Moorgreen certainly used his cane to get some horses going forward quite correctly, he asked for politeness but wasn't afraid to insist on it. Sadly not all horses forward for the judge to ride were ready for a showing class, I though he was brave to ride some of them, although he did send out a competitor who's horse bucked her off...pity.... it was nice!!

I don't think many ride judges wear spurs..dummy if at all?
 
we carry a cane and im not afraid to use it if the situation means i should.

if he is been an arse and buggering about or keeps shying or acting up then he will get a tap down his shoulder- at worse when he was trying to rear up (only miny, front feet kept hovering) in the warm up i laid him one on behind my leg as a "buck up your ideas pal" reminder nothing more not frustration or anger just stop been a prat.

in the inhand, him originally shown as a stallion inhand before been broken and been a welsh cob, he is on fire tbh, he works himself up and shows off and does get nibbly or pushy- a sly tap on the nose with the end of it reminds him that its me and not my dad leading him and he has to behave.
i dont whack him round the head (ever i must add) but he has impecable manners the rest of the time so then is no difference, infact judges comment on his good behaviour around other horse and in general (because he looks like a stallion, but doesnt act like the majority).
 
Thanks for all your comments - I too originally thought show canes were for show only, never for use, but it was very disheartening not only to see one or two, but several cases of cane abuse. I thought showing in-hand was mostly about the horse having good manners, looks and conformation, so why the need for horses; being smacked in the chest several times and around the head and nose. And these weren't just taps either. I competely understand someone holding one against the shoulder or so to help keep a horse straight, but openly yanking the bit for dear life and raising the cane (often subtle but still the case) followed by the horse flinching from the anticipation of being hit.
Surely good quality training at home and calm, patient handling is the key?

x
 
Last edited:
inhand (well the inhand i compete in with firey cobs that need running to show them off to their best, not your run of the mill classes) is about looks and movement- as long as said horse doesnt kill (or really try to kill) anyone or thing then its ok tbh, manners are far more important under saddle.
 
IN hand you can use them the top to nudge into the horses neck, if they are getting too close to you trotting and encourage themto turn, and i lay mine by the side of my D to get her to sort her quarters out. if the horse is playing up badly, you are allowed to use the cane.
But. I dont like it, their solid, not like usual whips. I was at a show last week, and a person in the line up next to me (wearing a tracksuit top :rolleyes: not that thats related) was swinging hers by the string and the caner part kept swinging up and hitting the horse hard over the head, she also kept yanking the horse in the mouth with the very tight joiner and her family were sitting swearing about the pony at the sidelines...somehow they got placed well and not send out- the pony deserved the placing, but the handler didnt.
 
oinkmoooink said:
IN hand you can use them the top to nudge into the horses neck, if they are getting too close to you trotting and encourage themto turn, and i lay mine by the side of my D to get her to sort her quarters out. if the horse is playing up badly, you are allowed to use the cane.
But. I dont like it, their solid, not like usual whips. I was at a show last week, and a person in the line up next to me (wearing a tracksuit top :rolleyes: not that thats related) was swinging hers by the string and the caner part kept swinging up and hitting the horse hard over the head, she also kept yanking the horse in the mouth with the very tight joiner and her family were sitting swearing about the pony at the sidelines...somehow they got placed well and not send out- the pony deserved the placing, but the handler didnt.
Click to expand...

:eek::mad::confused:
 
Yes, they are just for show, but I saw one put to very good use at the Yorkshire show last year. Child on show pony was being a brat so parent dragged said child off pony and poked her in the ribs with the cane. Child soon shut up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandra Morrison
shanzee said:
Yes, they are just for show, but I saw one put to very good use at the Yorkshire show last year. Child on show pony was being a brat so parent dragged said child off pony and poked her in the ribs with the cane. Child soon shut up.
Click to expand...

Im glad of that!!!!
I use mine on the right rein and TAP his sholder discreetly to remind him 'this leg 1st please!'. Ive never actually seen them misused, gladly!
 
Daffy Dilly said:
You've probably seen more than me with doing the larger shows, I just assumed it was standard!
Click to expand...

Ride judges should never wear spurs (and don't at affiliated level), however most will carry a cane - some will give a tap with them (eg to get a nappy horse away from the line up) but many don't.
 
newrider.com
Top Bottom