Which should I introduce to my young horse first–the whip or the spurs?

This answer is easy, and I doubt you’ll find anyone who would disagree. Colonel Mustard with the lead pipe? Miss Scarlett with the candlestick? No, it’s you with the whip. Here’s why.

Horses learn to move away from pressure by the kind but meaningful use of the whip from the ground. When they learn to lunge, this idea is expanded to include going forward from the whip, for which they are rewarded. When they’re first ridden (usually still on the lunge), the assist of the whip from the ground is augmented and then replaced by the whip in the rider’s hand and the leg. Ring Pavlov’s bell enough times and the leg means forward. Only then can the spur have any utility other than to inflict pain. Then the spur can be a brief but impressive reinforcement of the leg aid. It can’t nag, but it can induce an increased respect for the leg which lets the volume of the aid become less and less.

Download this Question Here!