A Tap on the Shoulder Dorothy Crosby

A Tap on the Shoulder

Dorothy Crosby - Stoddard, NH

Ihave 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 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.

It’s almost uncanny, but so real and so certain that the horse will understand because he’s made that way! And then, with some encouragement, further clarification, and a reasonable amount of skill in communicating it, we can ask for and achieve almost any kind of movement, balance, direction, and maneuver we desire, with varying levels of expertise and skill on both their and our parts! One little tap - a tickle - can clarify and enhance our intentions and create an almost perfect execution of that maneuver.

It is essential that one develops skill in carrying, implementing, and manipulating this tool; unsteady hands or lack of balance prevent its quiet presence and reduce its effectiveness, or create an unnecessary amount of anxiety and attempted escape from its predicted use or misinterpretation.

I have subscribed to this formula:

A tap on the shoulder is motivational. Commonly all that is necessary, this gets the attention and focus of the equine partner.

A tap behind the leg sends the reinforcement message to listen to said leg and obey its instruction. If this is to be avoided in the future, then heeding the leg aid is prudent.

A tap on the rear addresses a more serious infraction; a harsh reprimand, it is used rarely, discreetly, and precisely.

The bottom line is this: you develop a skill you might never use, but may benefit from having; if you don’t carry it, you can never use it, and you can be sure there will be that one time you wish you’d had it. Do your horse a favor: care enough to be precise, succinct, timely, and gentle.

You will both be better for it.

Dorothy Crosby is certified both as a

Level III Centered Riding® Instructor/

Clinician and CHA Instructor for both English and Western riders. Operating as Equi-librium and based in Keene,

NH, Dorothy is also Director of

Southmowing Stables and its Riding

Program in Guilford, VT, where her responsibilities include horse and barn management as well as overseeing the riding program. Workshops, clinics, special events, and lessons are offered at SMS; Dorothy also travels for clinics and to instruct riders at other locations. She was pleased to present two Centered Riding workshops at Equine Affaire MA 2017. Dorothy is certified through both Conformation Balancing (equine fascia release) and MagnaWave pemf for horses, humans, and small animals. Her joy is in teaching humans and equines of all ages and levels of experience. Spring 2022 www.4LegsAndATail.com 43