Friendship Training

There is a growing concern in the horse world about the use of whips, (in any capacity) when working with horses.

Some equestrians think there is nothing wrong with using whips ‘to point with’ or ‘as an extension’ when working with horses.

Others feel very strongly against using whips with horses. If anything is needed they would much prefer to see more benign objects used such as flyswatters.

We all want what is best for our horses. With that thought in mind, let’s apply critical analysis to research both items so that we can make a well-informed and balanced decision.
(Citations following shortly.)

Let’s start with whips.

Whips are one of civilized man's oldest tools, dating back to 3000 BC in both the Chinese and Egyptian cultures. They were used to strike an animal or a human as either a means of motivation or punishment. Slave-ship crews were encouraged to use whips as instruments of both torture and punishment.

*Whips were used as status symbols in Ancient Egypt, and many bas relief carvings and sarcophagi sculptures of the Pharaohs depict the ruler holding the authoritarian icon of a whip. Throughout history, whips have been a symbol of slavery.

The Whipping Act, 1530 of England authorized flogging for petty offenses (for instance theft, poaching, blasphemy, etc.). It was also used flogging as a treatment for insanity as well. During the Age of Slavery in the US, the masters used flogging as a measure to discipline their slaves, (men, women, and children).

A particularly painful type of whipping was called the ba*****do and was generally used in Asia. It involved blows delivered specifically to the soles of the feet with a light rod, knotted cord, or lash. While initially causing excruciating pain, additional agonizing torment was experienced when the subject tried to walk.

Not to take a back seat to inflicting unbearable pain on the human body by any means, the instruments and methods of flogging, (a type of whipping) caused at least an equal degree of human suffering.

Elsewhere the lash was widely used, usually with pain-inflicting elaboration, as in the cat-o-nine-tails. It was usually constructed of nine knotted cords or thongs of rawhide attached to a handle.

The Russian knout, consisting of a number of dried and hardened thongs of rawhide interwoven with wire, (the wires often being hooked and sharpened so that they caught and tore the flesh) was even more painful and deadly. If the thong of each one of the nine ‘tails’ of the whip hits the skin, it would likely be a lash and cause a laceration. (Incised vs Laceration)

If some of the whips like the bullwhip hit with the popper, it will literally pop the skin open on contact. Once the skin was sliced open, it could then easily tear away with following strikes at the unprotected muscles and organs.

While not initially intended to kill, fatalities from whipping were not uncommon. ‘Rubbing salt in the wounds’ of those whipped and flogged to extend the time of excruciating pain occasionally resulted in serious infections and sepsis.

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome of life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. When this syndrome results in hypotension and organ dysfunction, it is called septic shock. In septic shock, there is a critical reduction in tissue perfusion; acute failure of multiple organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and liver.

It is an extremely painful way to die. Serous drainage is a clear to yellow fluid that leaks out of the wounds that is slightly thicker than water. Purulent drainage is a sign of severe infection.

*The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists ‘extreme pain or discomfort’ as potential signs of sepsis.

*Present day treatment would be aggressive fluid resuscitation, antibiotics, surgical excision of infected or necrotic tissue, drainage of pus, and supportive care.

*But those modern day treatments were not available until very recently, (not at all for the first 5,000 plus years of ‘whip usage).

*Psychologically, being whipped or flogged causes feelings of fear, anxiety, humiliation and shame. Anticipation of the next possible or scheduled whipping or flogging, (PTSD) would cause heightened emotions of fear, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.

Through the years, there were other tools and devices made specifically for pain and torture besides whips such as thumb screws, breast pullers, branks, the Pear of Anguish, the Savengers Daughter, (also known as The Stalk and the Iron Brace) and of course the Rack to mention a few.

It may be somewhat debatable as to which type of torture tool caused the most extreme human anguish and misery on a one to one, singular usage basis.

*But none of them could ever come remotely close to whips due to the accumulated ‘numbers of usage’ throughout the thousands of years on both land and sea ranging from royalty to indigenous tribes.

In summation, the whip is a tool that was made specifically to cause physical pain and accordingly, fear/intimidation. Whether consciously realized and intentional, (or not) it would be very difficult for anyone to escape the same imagery of the ‘air of authority’ that a whip gives to the person using it, (just as it did 5,000 years ago).

It would be sheer folly to think that one could escape that five-millennium indelibly imprinted image on the collective human psyche by someone merely stating they ‘would never hit their horse with it.’

Offhand, one might think that any tool with such a hideous, vile, appalling history of human torment would have been shamefully shoveled to the shadows of human history in the ‘never to be mentioned’ file.

But just the opposite seems to be true! The very word whip seems to have been normalized in the English language as quite acceptable!

*In some ways it is understandable as (until the very recent introduction of the internal combustion engine) the very survival of our human species was dependent upon the horses doing exactly what they were ordered to do exactly WHEN they were ordered to do it.

Any failure by the horse to instantly respond correctly would have meant wars would be lost, (forfeiture of possessions and family to probable slavery and/or torture) and crops would not be planted/harvested, (slow death/starvation).

Thus the heartbreaking reality is that much of the ‘horse training’ and usage throughout human history would be regarded as nothing less than senselessly, (and needlessly) brutal by present day science-based, informed equestrians. For, (as some of us have learned) ‘anything that is done with a whip, can easily be done without a whip.’

Yet most equestrians seem blithely unaware of that fact as they continue to cling blindly to using the abusive, callous misaligned training with whips of their ancient forefathers.
*The sheer irony of this generational carryover would be laughable if it were not for the literally countless broken hearts and minds and bodies of the horses it has callously crushed.

They seem unmindful of the fact that those archaic tools and methods are the actual cause of the vast majority of all those ‘bad horse’ behavioral problems that fill our social media every day.

Beyond any shadow of doubt the very worst atrocity of all, is that somehow by using the ludicrous excuse of ‘never hitting their horse with it,’ they can somehow excuse the heinous, gruesome history of the ancient torture tool they hold in their hand.

We can only wonder what their unfortunate ancestors who may have suffered the torment, anguish, and pain delivered by that ancient torture tool would say about them trivializing it.

*Upon closer examination, we find there are apparent reasons why those equestrians feel that there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a whip ‘only to point with’ or ‘as an extension of their arm.’ (Apparent, but nowhere near acceptable).

Here’s why. In every horse magazine and horse-related social media that has photos with a whip they’ve been exposed to, (and are continually exposed to daily) is a type of visual subconscious indoctrination.

*It is said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ If true, then think of all the photos they see every day depicting some equestrian ‘winner’ or prima dona trainer either holding a whip, or showing in the photo. Of course there are no photos with whips in them accompanied by starving horses or equestrians dressed in ragamuffin, filthy, tattered clothes!

Subliminal: (1.) of a stimulus or mental process) below the threshold of sensation or consciousness. (2.) perceived by or affecting someone's mind without their being aware of it. (3.) not strong enough to produce a sensation or a mental awareness. subliminal stimuli. (4.) existing or functioning below the level of conscious awareness.

So, the subliminal message they receive is;

Whip = Winner.
Whip = Beautiful horses
Whip = Win/man or woman winner in the spotless, immaculate attire of the elite equestrian.
Whip = Respect, (of accomplishments and talent).
Whip = Respect, (supposed special knowledge).
Whip = The very best of everything equestrian.

No one ever thinks those exact words whenever they see those photos. But the constant bombardment of that visual ‘positive whip imprint by association’ is inescapable.

**Of course there is no ‘evil whip conspiracy’ meant to mischaracterize/normalize the use of of whips as anything acceptable!

But clearly, there are no disinformation experts, marketing corporations, or public relations firms on the face of the earth that could have devised a better plan to obfuscate and prevaricate the heinous history of whips.

Let me repeat that.
Clearly, there are no disinformation experts, marketing corporations, or public relations firms on the face of the earth that could have devised a better plan to obfuscate and prevaricate the heinous history and singular purpose of whips.

One more time.
Clearly, there are no disinformation experts, marketing corporations, or public relations firms on the face of the earth that could have devised a better plan to obfuscate and prevaricate the heinous history and singular purpose of whips.


I am given to wonder if those ‘only extension/pointer individuals’ would feel the same way if every ‘winner photo w/whip in magazines and social media was matched with a corresponding ‘reminder photo posted next to it showing in detail the ripped and torn, bleeding human resulting from being whipped, (much less the ulcerous, unhealed, rotting flesh).

How would they feel if they had to listen thousands upon thousands of times to the screams and babbling groans and eventual whimpers of grown men just before they passed out from enduring the insanely gruesome pain of that long-suffering usage?

Or listening to the shrieks and cries from their loved ones watching the hideous practice being performed on their husbands, fathers, and brothers? (And vice-versa?)

How would they feel if they were forced to smell the stench of rotting flesh that did not heal from the heinous act of being ‘whipped’?

Would they still enjoy basking in the limelight of bragging they ‘never hit their horse with it?

Would they revel from the accolades of their peers because they ‘only used it to point’ or ‘as an extension’ ?

Hopefully, they would seriously consider helping us eradicate this foul, hideous tool from the world of horses forever by simply never using a whip again.

Above all, I would remind them that every time they pick up a whip they telling the whole world that ‘you think whips are OK.’ Or, maybe they could put up a billboard stating that they ‘never hit their horse with it.’

- Enter the Fly Swatter -

Out present day fly swatters are a fairly recent development in our human history. The protection from flying insect bites by use of short horsetail staffs and fans was an ancient practice, dating back to the Egyptian pharaohs. But they weren’t actually the ‘fly swatters’ as we know and use today.

An early patent on a commercial flyswatter was issued in 1900 to Robert R. Montgomery who called it a fly-killer. Montgomery sold his patent to John L. Bennett, a wealthy inventor and industrialist who made further improvements on the design.

The origin of the name "flyswatter" comes from Dr. Samuel Crumbine, a member of the Kansas board of health, who wanted to raise public awareness of the health issues caused by flies. He was inspired by a chant at a local Topeka softball game: ‘swat the ball.’

In a health bulletin published soon afterwards, he exhorted Kansans to ‘swat the fly.’ In response, a schoolteacher named Frank H. Rose created the "fly bat", a device consisting of a yardstick attached to a piece of screen, which Crumbine named the ‘flyswatter.’

*FACT: Make no mistake, fly swatters were made expressly to kill. But instead of harming humans and animals, their lethal usage was meant to protect them!

*As of April, 2022, flies are known to transmit at least 100 human diseases including, but not limited to, typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, poliomyelitis, yaws, anthrax, tularemia, leprosy, and tuberculosis. There is also quite a number of critical equine diseases that are transmitted by flies such as; African Horsesickness, Equine Sarcoids, Warbles, Eye parasites (thelaziasis), Rain Scald/equine granular dermatitis/phycomycosis, Habronemiasis, Potomac horse fever (PHF or equine neorickettsiosis) and Pigeon Fever (Corynebacteria pseudotuberculosis).

*Another attribute of the fly swatter is that it delivers the ‘perfect death’ to those filthy disease-carrying insects. For there is only one ‘perfect death’ for any living creature on earth, (instant and unexpected).

*FYI: Extendable handles are offered for those horse owners of short stature!

Conclusion.
On one hand, we have a tool that was specifically made to cause pain, suffering, and fear in animals and humans whose results were frequently lethal.

By the sheer number of usage, this tool has inflicted more wretched torment, misery, and excruciating pain on humans and horses than any other in human history. It is called a whip.

On the other hand, we have a tool that was made specifically to kill disease-carrying insects who can cause great harm to humans and horses.

Unlike the other tool, this one delivers the most humane death possible, (instant and unexpected) to those disease-carrying insects. It is called a flyswatter.

It was made specifically to protect horses and humans.

We must admit to the inconvenient Truths


Crops will be planted, grown, harvested, and transported to market Without the need of a horse.
Wars will be fought, and won or lost, without the need of horse.

You will get to work, and back home, without the need of a horse.

FACT: We do not need horses for our species survival.

FACT:The ONLY reason anyone owns a horse is for human ego/enjoyment and/or profit. In essence, human enjoyment.

FACT: Anything that is done with a whip on a horse, can be done equally as well or better without a whip.

FACT: Horses make kings and queens out of paupers, heal broken spirits, and melt the coldest hearts, through the simple act of nearness.
You, the reader, are now faced with a decision many before you have faced.
Do you choose to do what id comfortable, or do what is right?
We cannot possibly create a new and better world for them by trivializing an evil from the Dark Side of Horsemanship, and masking the Darkest Side of Humanity.

Please join us in hastening the coming of that new and better world by throwing away the whips.

If you choose not to, then please explain to us why you feel that you have to use a whip to train your horse so we can better understand your position.

Chuck Mintzlaff

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And that winning their heart is the most awesome reward you could ever wish for.

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Belief Perseverance, the tendency to cling to one’s initial belief even after receiving new factual information that contradicts or disconfirms the basis of that belief.

Speciesism: the assumption of human superiority leading to the exploitation of animals.

Speciesism: 1. prejudice or discrimination based on species; especially discrimination against animals. 2. the assumption of human superiority on which speciesism is based.

After the dust settles, (and all of our self-serving hyperbole ceases) what is left are a few simple facts.

There was a time thousands of years ago, (and since then to a point) when the very survival of the human species was dependent upon using horses for agriculture, transportation, and warfare.

Every aspect of their management and care was governed by their future productivity and continued usability. Beyond those immediate needs of usage, no consideration was ever given to the repercussions of the brutal management, care and 'training' that we used.

From the perspective of speciesism, that viewpoint is both understandable and inevitable given our opposable thumbs and supposed higher brain functions.

Yet there are two undeniable facts that cause a great deal of conflict within our present day usage of horses.

The first is the unprecedented surge of scientific technology in the last generation that has given us new insights into Equus Caballus. These irrefutable discoveries have affected not only the veterinary domain, but enlightened the fields of equine Ethology, Sociology, Anthropology, Physiology, Neurology, Psychology, Biology, Nutrition, Physiology and many others as well.

The other potential conflict of logic is the advent of reciprocating engine and other mechanical/technical advancements that far surpass any need of horses. This would seem to place their species in a position abject uselessness, or perhaps left to be displayed in zoos with the other animals.

But alas, that is not the case at all. It seems that the need for horses for sport and recreation are not only widespread worldwide, but have grown exponentially!

Despite the insights that science and technology has given us, the horse world in general seems to remain oblivious to them, choosing instead to ignore them in favor of archaic management practices and 'training.'

Yet there are some horse owners and caretakers who, (after learning how maligning and counterproductive those archaic practices are) choose instead to give their horses an optimum life style while carrying out their domestic responsibilities.

And therein arises the real conflict between those who continue using those archaic methods of management, care, and 'training,' (while clinging desperately to their Belief Perseverance) and those who choose to accept the horse as a sentient being that has been waiting for thousands of years for our species to mature.

It is human nature to resist 'change.' We don't mind 'small changes' such as a new App on the cell phone, or a new feature on our automobiles.

But radical changes, (especially within the socio/cultural meme of 'horsemanship') are often met with 'extinction-induced fear' and ridicule when they feel our beliefs and customs are threatened.

Yet we must concede that change is inevitable. For the human-centric need for 'more and better' is insatiable.

The only question now is, "How long will it take for empirical knowledge, common sense, and logic to prevail in the horse world?"

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and then, for the second time in the history of the world,
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Or it can blossom into a melded synergy of hearts and minds and spirits, that is neither horse, nor human. but a separate entity unto itself,
that answers to the laws of neither man, nor beast.

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