O-M-G I used a carrot stick today!

rwinksters · 11-06-2009, 05:24 PM

Well I had my first hands on experience with some of Clinton Anderson's ideas and I didn't die! I like a lot of his methods, but a lot of it seems like common sense to me. And I don't see what the big deal about a carrot stick is. I did the same thing with my lunge whip a long time before I knew what Natural Horsemanship is. Anyways... I did actually learn some new stuff and I enjoyed it.

I don't think I'll ever be like, "Oh I follow all of so and so's ideas" but I don't mind learning different things.

And just so this isn't a useless thread... Do you use a carrot stick, your body alone, or traditional stuff like lunge whips?

Blondehorse · 11-06-2009, 05:32 PM

I use-- ahem!-- a Handy Stick. Get your terminology right, please!

I also use body language, of course. I haven't used a lunge whip in years, not because I think there's anything wrong with them, but I much prefer my stick as I find it is easier to manage, has better 'accuracy' as it isn't so bouncy as a lunge whip, and more convenient for close-quarters work.

Oh, and I use a dressage whip sometimes when I ride.

LindaMM · 11-06-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwinksters

Well I had my first hands on experience with some of Clinton Anderson's ideas and I didn't die! I like a lot of his methods, but a lot of it seems like common sense to me. And I don't see what the big deal about a carrot stick is. I did the same thing with my lunge whip a long time before I knew what Natural Horsemanship is. Anyways... I did actually learn some new stuff and I enjoyed it.

I don't think I'll ever be like, "Oh I follow all of so and so's ideas" but I don't mind learning different things.

And just so this isn't a useless thread... Do you use a carrot stick, your body alone, or traditional stuff like lunge whips?

I use all three. Depends on the reason for the ground work.

If I'm working for respect, I'll use the Handi-Stick. I like the length of it, and I like the feel. I've developed a method of twirling it so it smacks the ground if I want more energy during the work.

I'll use the lunge whip if I'm lunging for exercise or to "get the kinks out" before a ride.

And my half-Arab only needs body language for everything I do with him.

I love Clinton's methods. I don't follow him to the letter (I'd never make it as one of his apprentices), instead I take the spirit of what he does and adapt it to the horse I'm working. I've worked my 6 yo Paint gelding with CA methods for 3 years now. I shudder to think how he'd be and the struggles we would have had without that background. As it is, he still test the boundaries, and gets a tad pushy sometimes.

FarFromOver · 11-06-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm not a fan of the Carrot stick myself. We have one and it weighs a TON. I'd much rather use a lunge whip. When riding, I occasionally use a dressage whip. Depends on the mount.

noreins · 11-06-2009, 05:36 PM

No lunge whips here although I have the attachment for my 'handy stick' hehehe
I mostly rely on body language and my horses think they are chihuahuas or something so a hand over the throat latch is usually all I need to control them

I use my stick when doing a training session. I sometimes use spurs when working on leads (Hooker is lazy) but that is pretty much it

seaecho · 11-06-2009, 05:38 PM

CA's methods are great for pushy and/or dominant horses. Gets that respect going, big time!

rwinksters · 11-06-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blondehorse

I use-- ahem!-- a Handy Stick. Get your terminology right, please!

You didn't have to be soooo mean about it.

jk

Thanks... I didn't know the right terminology.

I can definitely see how using a lot of different stuff works in different situations. I'm also a big fan of the dressage whip. I use it even on the western horses, lol.

rwinksters · 11-06-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaecho

CA's methods are great for pushy and/or dominant horses. Gets that respect going, big time!

The horse that we're working with is a 17.1 OTTB. He really has no idea how big he is and I don't think he's ever had to respect anyone. I think he's been mishandled a bit, but not too bad... I think CA's methods will work really well for him.

He's already figured out so many things in just one day. I need to get some pictures of him. He's gorgeous!

Mollygirl · 11-06-2009, 06:06 PM

I use my carrot stick to do CA with my mare.
Use to do Parelli, now I follow CA training.

rwinksters · 11-06-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollygirl

I use my carrot stick to do CA with my mare.
Use to do Parelli, now I follow CA training.

I could see myself using some of Parelli's stuff, but I'd definitely never stick to. I like doing my own thing.

11-06-2009, 05:24 PM	#1
rwinksters Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Quantico, Virginia. Posts: 1,282 Images: 18	O-M-G I used a carrot stick today! Well I had my first hands on experience with some of Clinton Anderson's ideas and I didn't die! I like a lot of his methods, but a lot of it seems like common sense to me. And I don't see what the big deal about a carrot stick is. I did the same thing with my lunge whip a long time before I knew what Natural Horsemanship is. Anyways... I did actually learn some new stuff and I enjoyed it. I don't think I'll ever be like, "Oh I follow all of so and so's ideas" but I don't mind learning different things. And just so this isn't a useless thread... Do you use a carrot stick, your body alone, or traditional stuff like lunge whips?

11-06-2009, 05:32 PM	#2
Blondehorse Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,781 Images: 295 Blog Entries: 14	I use-- ahem!-- a Handy Stick. Get your terminology right, please! I also use body language, of course. I haven't used a lunge whip in years, not because I think there's anything wrong with them, but I much prefer my stick as I find it is easier to manage, has better 'accuracy' as it isn't so bouncy as a lunge whip, and more convenient for close-quarters work. Oh, and I use a dressage whip sometimes when I ride. __________________ PA Khavele (*Furno Khamal x Nomevelle) '95 Arabian mare AKA Val JB Nikhovelli (Zars Nike x PA Khavele) '09 Arabian colt AKA Tariq

11-06-2009, 05:36 PM	#4
FarFromOver Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Here :P Posts: 4,470	I'm not a fan of the Carrot stick myself. We have one and it weighs a TON. I'd much rather use a lunge whip. When riding, I occasionally use a dressage whip. Depends on the mount. __________________ My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder He carries me away from all my fears And when the world threatens to fall asunder His mane is there to wipe away my tears. ~Bonnie Lewis

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11-06-2009, 05:38 PM	#6
seaecho Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 877 Images: 21	CA's methods are great for pushy and/or dominant horses. Gets that respect going, big time!

11-06-2009, 06:06 PM	#9
Mollygirl Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Eastern Ontario Posts: 13	I use my carrot stick to do CA with my mare. Use to do Parelli, now I follow CA training.