Why is it acceptable to beat a horse?

[kafee]

but not a dog? In medieval times it was acceptable to beat humans and animals, but times have changed and now smacking a naughty child is outlawed. When I learnt to ride, I was taught to use a whip to make the pony do what I wanted it to, that was the way it was done and I didn't question it: I taught my children to use a whip when they learnt to ride.

If you were seen to beat a dog with a whip these days the RSPCA would prosecute you. So why don't they prosecute people for whipping a horse?

A friend's daughter 10YO is starting to learn to ride, and her mum is bringing her to the Monty demo on the 5th March as she is anxious that her daughter learns that you don't have to use a whip to get a horse to co-operate. At the riding stables they teach the kids to use whips so the kids discuss which is the best one, and wants to get her own. Naturally she believes everything she learns at the stables, so how would you explain to her that although the riding school teach the use of a whip, and sees that it works and is acceptable, that it's not necessary. That what she needs to do is to learn to understand the pony better, which takes a lot longer, and which she's unlikely to be able to do that a riding school.

Any thoughts?

[portiabuzz]

Yes I know what you mean it's a hard one. My stepson rode casper, and I never used a whip so naturally he never did. Last summer we were at a local show and some of the riders were whip happy shall we say. He was really upset by this and kept asking why the horses were being hit..

[yankeec]

When I learnt to ride, I was told the whip is there only as a back up to the leg, or as an extension to the leg, not instead of...

There is a difference to using the whip as a back up or as a weapon to beat the horse. The latter is wrong.

One of my nieces friends came to ride when I had Oldie, she had a whip on her, and I asked to drop it as he did not need one. She replied, I need it to make him go, I replied no, you use your legs for that.. she honestly had no idea and had always used a whip to make ponies, walk, trot, canter etc... her hands were ok, but using her legs were alien to her. I had to teach her all over again, but job done as she never used a whip after that - although she did carry it.