Welcome to the Whips - YES or NO Community Group on Trot ON. Most horse people have used a whip at some point while training horses, yet these days there is a growing number of natural horse men and women who are saying no to whips and claiming that they are cruel and a tool used to force a horse. I have been in both areas, starting as a pony club kid, it seemed strange to ride without a whip, then I found natural horsemanship, and got stuck on "whips are bad". Now I have found a balance, whips are a forceful and cruel tool if used by the wrong person (one lady I used to know would lift a pony's tail up and smack it on the bum if it was naughty), however used in the correct way, as an extention of the arm, whips can be very helpful. I am not a fan of jumping whips, there's no point in them! I believe they were designed to smack a horse, and that does not show any understanding of a horses behaviour. My favourite form of whip is the schooling or dressage whip, (although I just use a thin, long, straightish branch). It can be used to help direct a certain part of the horse's body without even making contact. However, I want to know your opinion on the matter. Do you use whips? What for? Which type do you preffer? Any alternatives you use? Are you pro or no?

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Whips - YES or NO

	Whips - YES or NO	54 members
	Most horse people have used a whip at some point while training horses, yet these days there is a growing number of natural horse men and women who are saying no to whips and claiming that they are cruel and a tool used to force a horse. I have been in both areas, starting as a pony club kid, it seemed strange to ride without a whip, then I found natural horsemanship, and got stuck on "whips are bad". Now I have found a balance, whips are a forceful and cruel tool if used by the wrong person (one lady I used to know would lift a pony's tail up and smack it on the bum if it was naughty), however used in the correct way, as an extention of the arm, whips can be very helpful. I am not a fan of jumping whips, there's no point in them! I believe they were designed to smack a horse, and that does not show any understanding of a horses behaviour. My favourite form of whip is the schooling or dressage whip, (although I just use a thin, long, straightish branch). It can be used to help direct a certain part of the horse's body without even making contact. However, I want to know your opinion on the matter. Do you use whips? What for? Which type do you preffer? Any alternatives you use? Are you pro or no?
Group creater	hoponahorse