A Tap on the Shoulder Dorothy Crosby - Stoddard, NH
I
have an abundance of students who misunderstand what it means to carry a crop, a dressage whip, or other motivational tools. They believe it is severe punishment, or will create a rift in their relationship with their horse, or don’t want to hurt him in any way. Some don’t like to carry it, maintaining that it is uncomfortable, awkward, or too much to hold. While I would NEVER advise or advocate for ANY kind of abuse or misuse of any horse – ever – I do believe that sometimes a little help (actually for the horse!) or a firm, but gentle correction may be necessary. Beating is certainly out of the question (and then the rider should be punished)! But this is not the intent; we are not punishing for an infraction, but encouraging, providing clarity or getting their attention when it is needed. Think of it as a literal tap on the shoulder: you need someone’s attention and stand there patiently for a few minutes, maybe trying not to interrupt, but that’s not producing results; so, you tap them on the shoulder to get their attention. Perhaps you have to tap again, but you are not in any way
42 4 Legs & a Tail
punishing; you are just getting their attention so they can hear what your urgent message might be. Used in this way, for schooling purposes, there’s no need for punishment, but rather a correction, a mild reprimand, or, more likely, encouragement to do more, try harder, or pay attention. One of my students unintentionally provided a great example: Several years back, while riding in a lesson, Michelle requested a favor… of course, if I can! She pointed to a barrel and asked me to please retrieve her hearing aid. What? She wears a hearing aid? And would leave it on the barrel until mounted? Ah, but as I went to retrieve it for her, the only thing I saw on the barrel was her crop…. for a second or two I may have been confused; then I got it! Perfect! She completely understood! The other ladies all laughed and, I believe, got a new perspective on this conflicting practice…. I’ve repeated this story many times; now my ladies refer to their hearing aids and smile as they understand even more than they did before. Just as spurs are not a punishment or an order to go faster, but rather an instruction to place one’s feet differently; more intentionally, step higher or under, a whip can be used as a gentle prod to move this way or take a bigger step or use THIS leg now. Did you know that there exists a myriad of nerve endings precisely where our leg hangs….and that those nerve endings are connected to the feet, specifically the hind legs, therefore propelling the horse forward when we apply pressure? It’s an anatomical thing, call it design, that makes it possible and predictable to use the leg aid to obtain a particular movement – as in forward and up or under – from the horse and then direct it with the addition of a shifting of the rider’s weight. Spring 2022
