Making excuses.

Why is it that so many people think that when a horse misbehaves there is a physical reason for doing so?
Why is it that so many think that a physical punishment, applied at the right moment is wrong?
Why is it that people are worried that to use a crop or lunge whip on a horse is cruelty?
Why is it that when a horse kicks out on the lunge advise from many is not to hit the horse with the lunge whip because it is probably kicking because it is frightened?

I have worked professionally with horses for nigh on 50 years, I was riding for 10 years before that so, have considerable experience under my belt. A lot of this has been dealing with difficult horses.
I do not believe in beating any animal but I do believe in taking no nonsense.
I do not care if a horse is in pain, I have the right to respect and trust that when treating that injury, he has no right to try to harm me.
I do not believe in excuses for plain bad manners.
I do believe in facing up to problems and dealing with them there and then.

I also believe that a horse will tell you if he is on pain or uncomfortable and should be listened to.

My belief in training is that, at first, boundaries are tight but as trust forms so they widen.
Training should always be firm. Fair and fun.
A trained should most of all, be consistent.

Well said! :)
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Well said, Foxhunter. You'll get no argument from me.

Yes, well said!

I also agree. The only time I jump right to pain as a possible cause is if the horse's behavior changes quickly from good to bad even with no difference in handling or riding.

Agreed very well said. My friend and I were just talking about this!!

I may just have to send you a carrot cake for this post =) Very well said!

I believe that the problems people are having with their horses are because they can not read their horses and have not developed the right feel and timing to be effective with them.

No, it's because people are getting into horses who think they need to baby them, treat them like 4 legged people, and think they can reason with the animal instead of actually discipline it.

All the woo-woo, magickal, mystical, bonding crap the NH gurus are spouting have created this group of people who believe if they discipline their animal, then poor Pookie will be traumatized and scarred emotionally. Oh the horrors!

Horses are animals. Animals, like children, need discipline and set boundaries. Discipline and boundaries are NOT abuse, nor are they cruel.

Why is it that if a horse is having performance problems it is a physical problem of the horse or a behavioral one.Seems it is easier to blame the horse than it is the rider/handler, when in most cases it is the person at fault.They can not read the horse,spoil the horse,or their riding skills are lacking