Meanest Trainer Ever?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by trackrat59

I have a question. Let me know if I'm off on what I'm seeing.

I watched the video several times. Yes, the horse was out of control and D.C. was trying to gain control, get the horse to run straight, and move over to the rail. From what I saw in the video it appears the horse finally starts moving toward the rail as he goes into the turn and appears to be less rank at that point. This is when the horse gets smacked in the face. Did I see that correctly? If so it was unfair to slap the horse in the face at that point. If it was done as an attempt to gain control in a dangerous situation so be it.

that's the thing, when a horse is out of control or being difficult, the last thing you want to do when he finally starts giving in is whack him. you're supposed to make the horse realize that things get difficult when he gets difficult, things get easy when he behaves. how is a whack in the head a reward for doing somethiing right?