Comments on: The Whip in Racing

By: Gail Nichols

Gail Nichols — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:09:14 +0000

I agree with Mr.Roberts, that the whip as exists and is used today, should be banned, as should all drugs within a week of a race. But to say that all use of any kind of whip, at any point of training or riding should be banned, is illogical. A whip is what you make of it…a thing of pain, or an extension of your arm, a means of communication.

there have been, and still are, i am sure, TB trainers who understand the proper use of equipment…anything can be used or misused. “Silent Tom” Smith, Seabiscuit’s trainer, used a buggy whip to startle Biscuit into blow off the starting line fast enough to beat WarAdmiral. only someone who had been there would know how much force he used, but i would guess it would be more of a unexpected touch, than painful.

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna has used a training method similar to yours for hundreds of years, and short and long dressage whips are used to deliver soft cues.

I am not a horse trainer, though i have always wished to be, have longed to ride. I am disabled, and help other disabled people to train their own service dogs. I’ve studied animals, training of all kinds, be it horse, circus, whatever, and from all this learned things that can be helpful for myself and others, in training and in equipment ideas to help the service dog better help his owner and both be happier. When i first read your book, i was so happy- “I am not alone….others care about animals in the same way!” you have a few years on me- im only 50, but my disabilties require me to come up with new ways to do things. With my new young Smooth Coated Collie, i am having to concoct new ways for us to work together.

Thank you for all you have done for all who love to be with animals, who love to train.

By: trudi morsman

trudi morsman — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:15:51 +0000

Hi mr. Roberts, I truly admire your approach to the wonderful creature the horse…I’m a trainer and last season started entering my horses with “no whip”.. had jock’s agents refusing to ride and of course jocks after the races with the ” could have won with a whip” etc..but thats o k . I approach racing with less and less enthusiasm I do not train with medication wish the U.S would adopt the zero tolerance rule..I just wanted to respond to the whip issue and tell you that I think of you with the highest respect for you as a true horseman..happy trails,Trudi Morsman

By: Deonna Snellings

Deonna Snellings — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:29:55 +0000

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By: Controversial Issue 4: Horse Racing « Quarter my life

Controversial Issue 4: Horse Racing « Quarter my life — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:26:48 +0000

[...] occurs way too often and that it should be forbidden. I fully agree with the prominent horse men Monty Roberts, who says that “To do a dissertation on the whip in racing, I feel the first thing a horseman [...]

By: marit

marit — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:51:57 +0000

I got So glad to see the way you make similarities between the way we treat our children and our horses. You mentioned Sweeden; once upon a time I studied in England, and as I loved surfing the libraries I came over a book from the 70-ies where they ridiculed the Sweedish way of “child-raising” ; because they had a law against corporal punishment in the kindergardens..
(in between the lines this was seen as a law impossible not to break. ) I am from Norway and most of us are raised without corporal punishment. This text gave me a good deal of filosphical thoughts about the unconcsious “knowledge” we all bear – a different knowledge as we have different experiences.
With respect to life and its beauty, its inner force, strength and love can we participate!

Thank you for writing the book about your life and experiences. I had never heard about you, but grabbed it on the airport on my way to a holiday and it was good reading for me. I also have lots of love for them beings.

My daughter brings her own horse to the riding classes nearby, and they teach her to wip her horse. Even though the horse really wants to go there, and he absolutely gives response to her moves she is told to whip him when he is not doing it right..
You have encouraged me to encourage my daughter to rise against the whip . The challenge is to make him do the right response, imediately . and i know the answer myself-
right moves for the right response..
- and How do I find them moves? I pray
Cheers.