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[w3526602]

Hi Neil,

I wouldn't suggest that you kick your dog ... come and kick mine. 

I once watched a RAF policeman trying to persuade his German Shepherd to ignore a passing cat ... guessing size 9, army pattern boots with hob-nails hammered hard into the dogs ribs. The dog ignored him.

I've also sat on a gelding, that went rigid while a mare strolled up, turned round, and gave him both hind hooves in the ribs ... just for being a gelding? 

My nag relaxed after the mare ambled off. He didn't seem unduly bothered.

I am not advocating ill treating animals. I find that a stern voice, and a threatening expression on my face works best. With horses, just carrying a crop concentrates their minds, and slapping the crop on my riding boots tended to make them want to please me.

I was riding my instructors own 16.2hh hunter, lined him up on a jump. He balked. "You sod!", I said. So he left me sitting on the jump pole. 

The instructor told me I should not swear at her horse.

Next time round, I gave my boot a slap with the crop. The horse went into VTO mode  . I stayed on, but that was my first (and last) proper jump.

602

[Alan Drover]

602, I wouldn't want to kick ANY dog, let alone yours unless that fog was attacking my dogs or Mrs. B or me.