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Re: [RC] dog/horse/cattle attacks and using a whip as a deterrent - Milinda EllisMornin', everybody! I was 'caught' by two dobermans as a kid riding my bicycle (headed home on my bike after playing at their owners house all afternoon). I wound up in the ER. Amy, you were very very lucky! I asked about those dogs a couple of weeks after that happened, and found out they were dead. I asked my parents and they told me the dogs 'died of distemper' (I actually knew what that was at 8 years old) but now suspect those dogs died of 'Daddy-temper!' I strongly advocate the use of a whip when riding. Yes, I have foxhunted too. I actually did it on a terribly whip-shy TWH mare who was aggressive toward dogs. We had to get over that so she wouldn't kill hounds while we were in kennels but she figured out that whip quickly too (I wouldn't hit her with it intentionally but accidents happen on occasion and I felt really bad!). I rode as whipper-in several times (more often during roading than on actual hunt days as she wasn't "fast enough" according to one of the Masters... who couldn't control his own horse, but I digress). Because few horses are "whip broke" (including foxhunters) anymore, this also works with aggressive horses and cattle who charge a fence as you ride by. You're not doing anything to them but making a startling noise. The same techniques apply to using a bullwhip. I make my all own 'crackers' so it does sound like a gunshot when I crack it. Matter of fact, I was showing someone up at the church one day how to crack a whip and someone down the street called the cops to report 'shots fired at the Episcopal church...' That was kind of embarrassing. My suggstion is that you get really proficient with a whip -- using it accurately with either hand, before you ever get near a horse with it! You will pop yourself a few times and when you do, you'll know why I recommend this! Get to where you can aim and "cut" a weed or small branch with it -- meaning cutting the one you're actually aiming at. When you get that proficient with it, then and only then should you try it with a horse. Again, crack it (from the ground) from both sides of the horse, drag the lash all over the horse (including across the face and between the ears, tickle the legs, etc). Work up to cracking it loudly (you'll figure this out as you're practicing your proficiency with it). Whenever the horse decides it's no big deal, THEN and ONLY THEN get on the horse and start the process all over again -- or you might wind up in the dirt! I can drive (herd) my horses with the whip and they know it means "make a hole" when I'm walking through 10 of them crowded together at the gate... Yes, I've had to roll hair on some with it, but they're still not scared of it. I can still crack it off their backs, too. I've used it to break up a few horse fights, too (it's either that or a bullet -- there's not a lot you can do when horses are fighting and they're really serious). I've broken up many a kennel fight with a hunt whip too (NEVER stick your hand into a dogfight to grab a collar!!!). I have had dogs turn on me. You can draw blood with one of these so make sure that's really what you intend to do. It all depends on the force of your swing and the arc you put into the lash. I know of places to get hunt whips and lashes, or how to easily make a nice, LOUD cracker for one if someone is interested. If so, email me at beargrass_cleveland_bays@xxxxxxxxxx I'm headed to "Meanwhile" but will be back home and online after Easter services. Milinda Ellis Beargrass Cleveland Bays Jewett,Texas __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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