Crop? Fast trot?

Question

Hi everyone. well i just got back from riding my horse. we have been having lots of trouble with trotting in one direction. So my trainer told me to use a crop. I used it and it worked great. My horse realy realized that I was serious and it got his attention.

My question is: How many of you use a crop in daily riding?

Also eventually will i always need to use it, or will he realize i am serious and get used to listening to my cues by themselves?

I dont really like using the crop cause i feel like he is afraid of it and trotting out of fear.

Another question: how do i slow my horse's trot down. After i tap him with the crop really lightly he will turn into this speedy demon in a trot and wont let me half halt him. What should i do?

thanks

Answer 1

mostly always when i ride depending on what type of riding im doing.

Answer 2

I've never tapped a horse with a crop.  I was taught that simply waving it in the horses sight was enough to urge him on.

The best method for training a horse that I have seen is practice, practice and more practice.  Hitting a horse for not running fast enough then hitting him again cause he dosent stop running seems about as intelligent as smacking a childs hand for not answering a question fast enough because you told him to be quiet.

Answer 3

At the riding school I first learned at-and rode at for about five years, we aaaaaaaaalllways carried crops. Whether or not we actually used them was a different story-but we always carried them. I don't find anything wrong with the, and they can be a really useful tool-just so long as you don't 'abuse' it or 'nag' it by using it too frequently.

Since I've been riding at a different barn the past month, I have refrained from using one. With the horse I am leasing, I generally do not need it-although he is very lazy and does not like to be worked or forward, I am able to get him going very well without one. I've found myself wishing i had one on me at times, but I've also learned a lot from not carrying one.

If you're posting at the trot-start posting lower and slower-don't post high out of the saddle or 'bounce' down into it. If you're sitting-sit deep and squeeze with your legs-don't kick, just squeeze as if you were hugging the barrel of the horse, lean back a tad, and put some light pressure on the reins.

If he's REALLY going and won't listen to your cues, you can turn him sharply to the inside and do a circle with him. No matter what you are doing (sitting, posting, circling) you want to steady yourself. Keep your hands down, and don't be bouncy or disoriented.

Answer 4

i always carry a crop and you should carry it all the time just in case you need it

you should always use your cues first then if he doesn't listen use the crop and after a while he'll realize that if he doesn't listen, you'll use the crop

you could try using the crop on his shoulder instead of behind you leg and then he may not trot as fast but if he starts trotting really fast just keep trying to half-halt him

good luck!! hope i helped

Answer 5

I use it almost everyday with some horses and never with others. Depends on whether they keep trying to get away with things or learn their lesson. Hopefully in your case you will only have to use it once in awhile to reinforce what you mean. As for getting your horse to slow down after you got his attention...that takes time. He has to learn that the proper response is to listen to you and not try and get out of it by going faster. I would do lots of small circles when he gets to fast to regulate his pace. Take your time, he'll learn but it won't be overnight. Good luck.

Answer 6

The crop can be a great tool to use to enforce your leg commands.  First ask your horse with your hands and legs for what you want, then follow through with the crop if he doesn't listen.  After he starts associating the two (oh, if she squeezes with her legs, and I don't trot, she gives me a spank!), then he will start trotting off quietly for just your legs, and you won't need to carry the crop except for the occasional tune-up.

Right now, it sounds like you need to focus more on your transitions from the walk to the trot, and don't worry if he trots off quickly at first...at least he's trotting off for you!

After you get him trotting, relax in the saddle, and sit back a little.  If he doesn't slow down, lightly draw your hands back until you feel him slow down just a little bit, then release your hands again.  He might only keep the slow pace for a stride or two.  As soon as he speeds up again, draw your hands back and hold until he slows, and then release.  Do this over and over again.  If you release your hands and reward him every time he slows down, he will start to hold that slower pace longer and longer without getting tough in the mouth.  If he breaks to the walk, its okay...it just means you asked him too hard, but he slowed down (just more then you meant)...so then just ask for the trot again and start over.

Practice this every day, and after awhile, it will really start to sink in.  I train western pleasure horses, and do this will all my two year olds, and they all jog on a long loose rein, very slowly.  I use a crop for horses when necessary if they just aren't understanding that I'm serious with my legs.  Good luck!

Answer 7

well.

i had the same problem

u will probably have to use the crop.

Try rising slower and half halt him

Gd luck.

Answer 8

Well it really depends on the horse i use. One horse i ride, WILL NOT MOVE and you really have to smack him with the crop, which i hate doing! But another horse i ride, is like a robot and will do whatever i tell him, so i dont even need a crop. If you need to use a crop, chances are you will keep using it. and to slow him down, just pull lightly on the reigns, if he dosent stop, pull harder, but not to hard as to halt!

Hope i helped! Good luck!

Answer 9

Well I normally ride with crop or dressage whip my horse has learned oo if she dosent have that thing I dont have to pick up my trot. So sometimes to throw her off I will give my instructor the crop I'll mount and if I need it I take it back. As far as fast trot let him pick up a fast trot you said FORWARD right? so dont yell at him right away give him time to realize o ok this means forward then slow down remember breath and slow your posting down. I know its hard I had that problem a couple of weaks ago I reinforced my leg and she jumped into a fast trot the first couple of times but keep doing w/t transitions it does work in the end unless hes really smart and realizes what the crop is..

Answer 10

I use a dressage whip daily, but when we're just trail riding and having fun, I'll usually carry a crop instead. My horse is very laid back, and often times he won't take a crop seriously. He responds to it because he knows I want him to, but he'll just ignore it if we're exercising instead of goofing off.

Now onto your second question: If he's responding so intensely to the crop and if you're using it for the sole purpose of teaching him how to trot better in that direction, you might not have to use it forever. Depending on your horse, you might end up wanting to always carry a crop but never use it. Some horses respond to this because they know that you /could/ use the crop even though you don't.

To slow your horse's trot down, work on transitions a lot. Ask him to trot (touch him gently with the crop if you need to) then immediately ask him to halt and back up a few steps. Ask him to trot again, then ask him to halt again. Do this over and over until he gets the feel for it. It'll help him listen to you better and pay attention. This is a good exercise for you and your horse to work on.

If you're worried that he's afraid of the crop, you can show it to him while you're on the ground. Show it to him while you're holding onto his lead rope. Let him sniff it and get used to it. Let him see you gently waving it around in the air. Maybe he'll let you touch him with the crop from the ground, but let him back off if he wants to. Basically, you can help him get over his fears so that he responds to the crop because you want him to and not because he's afraid of it. Get him to the point that, even though he doesn't like the crop, he doesn't fear it. He only gets tapped with it only when he deserves it, and he needs to know that.

Answer 11

I really like Jeff's answer on this one.  

I always use a dressage whip or crop.  On one horse that I ride I must use spurs, but I never use spurs unless the horse has become completely desensitized to leg cues.  You should never use spurs unless you are a very experienced rider who has been taught how to correctly use spurs.

As far as the crop/whip goes, it is something that they usually know is consistent or will/may be used.  As mentioned above, compared to what horses can do to each other, this is nothing.  Horse skin/muscles create a much tougher barrier than human skin and muscle.  I've never hit a horse harder than something that I can handle myself, and they can handle a lot more than humans.

As far as fear...it is more like he knows you mean business--ie you have just moved up from being a substitute teacher to the real deal.  Unless he has been abused, he is not afraid.  I ride a horse who has been abused but is lazy as heck.  He used to bolt if you had a crop.  However, he has been ridden by excellent, loving equestrians and is no longer scared of it.  When I get on him, as suggested above, I show him the crop, and I rub it all over him.  I rarely tap him with it.

In sum, you are not abusing the horse; yes, you may need to always carry it; and he may get used to your cues, but you will probably still need to carry a crop.  If he doesn't listen to a slight half-halt, kick it up a notch (pull more, and use more weight longer in the saddle when you are in the sit of the post).  If you are just starting to use a crop, you both just need more experience with it.

Answer 12

I always always always carry a crop and wear spurs when i ride, if you get into a pickle at any time, your horse may need some "coaxing". Most of the time I don't use them, but I'm thankful I have them when I do have to "encourage" my horse to go forward.

As far a slowing the trot, keep half halting him until he listens, bend him off the inside leg and keep him round. Also, talk to him to settle him and slow your posting, as they feel the change and slow themselves also.

Answer 13

i always carry a crop when i ride.

because the pony i ride can be a real pain.

(halfway through the lesson, she will start to slow, slow..slow.. because of her laziness, and when i try to canter her, she just trots really fast)

and, yes, you will probably have to use it on that horse for every lesson.

all the crop does is show the horse you're being serious. you're not abusing him with it! some horses just have that reaction to it. ask your instructor about what to do.

hope i helped :)

Answer 14

once in a very great while will i use a crop. my horses are too senitive and don't need it.

yes he will learn that after you squeeze with your legs, you are gonna whip him if he doesn't go.

Answer 15

I always carry a crop, even on my old, dead-broke horses.  

The key is to have a balance.  He must respect the crop, and know that it CAN make him go, but it does not ALWAYS make him go.  Rub him all over with it.  Rub him every time you stop him, especially in the spots where you tap him.  Rub him while moving, at the same time praising him.  Then change your tone, and make him go faster with the crop.  When he does what you want, praise and rub.  Another key is your body language.  Horses are amazingly attentive to it, and can tell when you want him to go, when you are mad at him, when you are scared, when you are happy, etc.  Use this to your advantage.  It is harder in the saddle then on the ground, but when he does what you want, relax, sit back a bit, change your voice tone to "happy" (if you are praising him), and just generally be happy.  Again, this is more effective on the ground, but they can also pick up on it when you are in the saddle.  Good luck!

Answer 16

i used to use a crop everyday as my horse was very lazy when i bought him. now however, i have mastered the art of gettting him to move forwards when he spooks at something, without using a crop. i also have got him to move off my legs with a gentle sqeeze, so i no longer use  the crop when i ride

Answer 17

I use spurs when I have a horse like that, but the same idea applies.  No they are not afraid of the crop (nor spurs) but they do respect them.  Another horse can bite far worse than the crop or spurs can hurt.  Do you think your horse fears the teeth of the other horses?  Do the mares fear the stallion?  That is how a stallion herd his mares when moving them in case of danger or another stud in the area (One of the few times the stallion bosses the mares).

Make sure you are cuing the trot before you use the crop.  When he realizes that you will use the crop only if he does not respond to the cues then you can stop using it.

As far as the speed he will calm down eventually and give you what you want.  That just takes consistant riding.

Answer 18

I use a crop almost every time I ride. Eventually my horse only needed a little smack right when I get on so that she knows it is in my hand, and I can use it whenever she's not cooperating as well. But usually all it takes is the knowledge that I have it for her to be good.

Also, I think it's very important to always use leg pressure or a kick simultaneous to a smack with the crop. That way he doesn't get to the point where he will only listen to the crop. Really, a crop should only be needed after you've asked with your legs and get no response.

To slow down a rushed trot, simply post BIG and SLOW so he can feel the rhythm YOU want him to go.

Good Luck :)