why is it good to desensitize a horse to lounge whip?

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♪♫Molly♪♫

New member
hello,
i have a question- why should i desensitize my horse to a lounge whip? I most definetally understand why it's good to desensitize the horse to a lead rope, but if you desensitize them to the lounge whip, isn't it difficult to lounge?
i'm not a violent trainer at all- i don't hit my horses with lounge whips, but i do use it as motivation for them to move forward (sort of wave it around behind them)
please don't just yell at me! i am honestly curious!
my horses aren't afraid of the whip at all- I do just use it like an extension of my arm. they don't bolt when they see it, just lengthen their stride.
would that be considered desensitized?...
 
So that they are not afraid of it - you want them to understand that it is a signal to move forward and not a threat that they are going to be beaten ( subtle difference you see)
It sounds as if your horses have got the idea.
 
You don't want your horse to move off because they fear the whip. The whip is just an extension of your arm. We use the whip not just to drive them forward but to push them out, lengthen stride etc and so they need to be aware of the subtleties of how the whip is used instead of just running from it.

You should not desensitise to the point that they ignore it, just so that it is familiar.

Also, and very importantly, it stops them from bolting when they see the whip, which would be very dangerous.
 
It sounds as tho you have good natural focus and have already established when it means move out and when it means nothing . horses are more perceptive than you may think and you are probably in tune with your emotions . if there is not a fear of your lounge whip and you use it for Communication then you are doing something right. if a horse is uncertain of a lounge whip or other object they can be dangerous and impossible to handle . I love my carrot stick !
 
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