Whips & Spurs
- Frequently asked questions
- Which whip is right for me and my horse?
- Why can it be helpful to ride with a whip?
- Which whip is suitable for which discipline?
- What length should a whip be?
- How do I attach spurs correctly?
- Which spurs are best for me?
Which whip is right for me and my horse?
Deciding which whip is right for you and your horse depends on four things:
- Elasticity
- Level of skill of the rider
- Size of the horse
- Discipline ridden
Harder whips allow precise control and do not flap up and down uncontrollably with every step. Therefore, they are more suitable for beginners as well as sensitive, delicate horses.
Finally, the length of the whip depends on the size of the horse and the discipline being ridden. In show jumping, other whip lengths are allowed than in dressage. In our range you will find
- Whips
- Dressage whips
- Jumping whips
- Lunge whips
- Various whip accessories
Why can it be helpful to ride with a whip?
A whip can be helpful as a support for the leg when riding or as an extended arm for in-hand work. It also serves as a visual signal to the horse to achieve finer aids and clearer communication.
The gentle touching of the horse's body can encourage the horse to be more aware of and use its body. In a precise way, the horse can be reminded, for example, to use its hindquarters more. Short whip impulses also prevent the effect of the leg from being lost. Unnecessary squeezing and tapping of the legs without effect can be prevented by the use of a whip.
Important! The whip serves as an extension and specification of the leg aids and must not be used as a punishment of the horse by uncontrolled harshness.
Which whip is suitable for which discipline?
- Dressage whip: A whip up to a maximum of 1.4m is usually used for dressage. It is used on the horse's flank and serves to activate the hindquarters.
- Jumping whip: For jumping, a short crop of approx. 0.75m is used to touch the horse's shoulder for animation before the jump.
- Touchier whip: A long, soft touchier whip can be used for ground work and in-hand work.
- Lunge whip: For lunging and vaulting, a lunge whip with a long lash is most suitable.
What length should a whip be?
The length of the whip depends on the size or body length of the horse. A whip should extend 10cm beyond the horse's point of hip. It must not be too long, otherwise it can touch passing horses unintentionally.
A dressage whip should therefore be a maximum of 1.20m long in competition, while a jumping whip is only 0.75 m short. For ponies, a whip of 1.00m is sufficient.
How do I attach spurs correctly?
Spurs are attached to the back of the riding boots or Jodphur boots. Many riding boots have a holder designed for spurs on the heel so that the spurs do not slip. There are different ways of attaching the spurs:
- Strap-on spurs are fastened in front of the heel and around the instep by means of straps.
- Clip-on spurs are attached directly to the boot by means of a device provided for this purpose.
- Attachment spurs are firmly attached to the boot.
- Strap-on spurs have the advantage that they can be attached or detached directly before and after riding to prevent injuries caused by getting caught while walking.
Which spurs are best for me?
Spurs are used to support the leg for precise aids. When choosing the right spur, the rider's level, the length of the leg and the discipline ridden are decisive:
- Dressage: Spurs with small wheels, straight spurs with slanted or rounded ends.
- Western riders: Rowel spurs
- Beginner riders: knob spurs, bobble spurs
- Riders with long legs: swan neck spurs
- Riders with short legs: short spurs