I doubt that much pain and damage could be
inflicted on a horse using the rider's fist, which is how the man boxed my
daughter's horse on the head 40 years ago. If there was any damage, it was
most likely to the rider's hand, not the horse's head. That still doesn't
make me recommend it, but I was clarifying one issue of this
discussion.
I have used the plastic bat on rearing horses,
with great success. The first time was on a young horse who had given a
tentative try at rearing a few minutes before. One treatment, of one
resounding hit was all that it took. The second was a mare that had had
a couple of owners because of her tendency to rear. Since that was an
ingrained habit, it took three or 4 wacks spread out over a few weeks to turn
her into a reliable mount.
If the theory that unpleasent experiences don't
teach is true, why do horses respect electric fences?
Ed
Ed and Wendy Hauser Sisu West 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
