So I recently started leasing a horse who everyone, including his owner, uses a crop. My trainer says she gives me credit for being the only one who rides him without a crop. I am able to get him to do what I want after some effort, ie. picking up the correct canter lead, etc. Anyway, my question is should I just use a crop to make my life easier? I’m showing in two weeks and I can’t expect to do well if it takes me three or so attempts to get the left lead. I used to lease and show a horse who was very responsive to my aids and wanted to please do this is a different situation for me. Please advise! Thanks!
You should use a crop to resensitize him to what the leg means. It does sound like this is a schoolie though so that might not be desirable depending on his job description.
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I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
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Are you missing your leads at home without the crop? Horses hate to be nagged with the leg, it desensitizes them and they just ignore it. Far better to ask, tell and crop in that order. If you don’t have a crop, you just nag and the horse blows you off at best, dumps you for nagging at worst.
Missing getting a lead 3 times not only means you are way out of the ribbons, it means you will be a nuisance to riders behind you on the rail, in a big class, you trying to fix a lead on the rail can take them out of the ribbons as well trying to avoid you. Even on a course, if you know you need clean changes and aren’t sure you can get them, skip it until you can. Allowing the horse to go around missing changes just teaches they don’t have to change. Wastes the other exhibitors and judges time too in a competitive class.
Never go into a show class knowing you lack a skill needed to get around. Even at a schooling show, you aren’t teaching the horse anything that will benefit it in the future.
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I would carry a crop and if I dont need it fine but if I need it I have it there to use. It does sound like some practice on leads is in order. I usually like to break down the canter in parts and always ask my horse the same way plus use my voice. Good luck.
many riders carry a crop whether they need it or not, as another poster said, better to have and not need, then to need and not have… or try spurs
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I carry one on most horses, took my daughter’s pony to a show this weekend and carried one. He was excited and didn’t need it to go but I wanted it just in case, better to have it and not need it that need it and not have it!
I need to carry a crop with the horse I ride and almost never have to use it. He can tell when it’s there and acts accordingly, though I do think it’s a hassle to carry.
We’ve gone without it for a few over fences classes when he had enough energy to not need the visual reminder, so maybe try some classes with and some without?
