Re: RC: Re: crops

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Kristine
Sounds like you are making the best of the situation. A crop is an aide
and it sounds like you are using it correctly. Good luck with your rehab
effort. It's not easy when horses come from the track and it is truly
great that you are seeing the good in him and taking the time to rehab
him. You're right; although you can do some of the work at home, a large
part of the problem with racehorses is in socialization and has to be
done in group settings. It's great that you have the patience and are
careful not to put other horses and riders in harm's way.
Bette

kristine hammond wrote:
> 
> Greetings Sandy,
> Some of us use a crop to get their attention for the entire ride.  I have a
> horse off the arabian race track.  I have had him 2 years so far.....I am
> still working on manners.  My crop is not to encourage forward movement, but
> is a useful tool for gaining his attention, as discipline tool for enforcing
> ground manners, and a "spanking stick" for those moments when the unexpected
> buck occurs, or he decides to test the theory about not biting???  He is
> also a very strong animal, physically and mentally.  I have found that he
> does not tire.  He has almost as much energy after a 50 miler as before.  I
> have never had a horse with his attitude before.  All of my previous horses
> have had the attitude of........."Now that I know what you want me to do, I
> want to do it."  In other words they responded to positive reinforcement,
> words of praise, a treat, a pat and/or a Good Boy. This horse could care
> less about positive reinforcement, as a matter of fact he seems to respond
> to it with some directed misbehavior.  Yes, I got him very cheaply off the
> track.  I have gotten a number of others very cheaply off the track without
> this attitude.  He has come a long ways-but still needs to go further. He
> won a lot of money the first year on the track, but was pulled off the track
> on the second year after 7 races-he "lost" his jockey in 6 of those races.
> I do not have the money to pay for the wonderful horse I would like to have,
> and he was cheap.  I do think I can bring him around the rest of the way.
> Why would I want to deal with  him????  He has absolutely outstanding
> confirmation, 83/4in cannon bones, great hoofs, withers, neck, back, etc.,
> etc. Strangely enough he is also a very smart horse-and he learns very
> quickly, and takes very good care of himself.  He is very careful with his
> hooves-never steps on anything, children, baby goats who wander between his
> back legs, or people who fall down in front of him.  He has a resting heart
> rate of 32, and never comes into a vet check with a heart rate of over 68.
> He comes from a stable that is known for selling arabian horses back to
> Arabia to further improve their breed, and has an incredible pedigree. He is
> a gorgeous animal. I ride a lot at nighttime, usually by myself.  He is
> great on these rides, very safe and reliable.  He also spent the first 15
> miles of our first ride last year trying to buck me off.  He tries one thing
> after another.  I have spent hours bringing him around to where I wanted him
> to be.  Is he there yet????
> NO!!!!!.  But he is much better.  If I do not continue to enforce the no
> bucking, biting, no shying, etc. etc. rule with swift and effective
> discipline I know we would go downhill fast.  He is the type of horse who
> gets away something once-and it will take a month to stop it again.
> No-he is not a killer.  But he needs to be controlled, and understand that
> certain behaviors will not, cannot be tolerated.  By carrying my crop I am
> reinforcing these ideas in his mind, as well as protecting other individuals
> (horses and riders) from behavior which may be detrimental.  NO-he has never
> kicked at a vet check, bitten another horse, menaced a human being.  I don't
> think he will, But he might, and I, and those people I ride with heartily
> approve of my actions.
> Yes, I am the one who rides the whole race with a crop, a double bit, and
> uses hobbles to saddle my horse.  I have spent hours retraining my horse,
> but not all of it can be done at home!!!!
> Sorry for being so long worded, but thank you for giving me the opportunity
> to explain my actions.
> Kriss
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sandy Bolinger" <bolinger@bigsky.net>
> To: "ride" <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Sent: Monday, August 28, 2000 6:08 AM
> Subject: RC: crops
> 
> > would someone please explain to me why a person would ride an endurance
> ride
> > with a crop???I've heard their explanation that they need to get the
> horses
> > attention ---especially at the beginning of the ride---which sounds kind
> of
> > strange but...OK...whatever...but why would ANYONE need a crop the last 50
> > miles of a ride???Surely you've managed to get your horses' attention by
> > then???(stallion owners need not reply);o]
> >
> >
> >
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com