Well it really depends on how you use it. If you use it to the point that your horse is doing everything you ask out of fear then i dont like people like that either. I do, though carry one…but it doesnt hurt the horse, in fact they can just sorta feel it. The first day i used one i told my trainer i didnt want to hurt the horse with it and she said to test it on my leg, but not hard, just like you would to remind your horse to stop being hardheaded and you can barely feel it and horses skin is tougher than ours so i think it all matters on how it is used..