The correct whip for lungeing

Whips represent the extended arm of the human and can be an important tool in ground work, lungeing and carriage driving. They come in different lengths and materials, which determines the centre of gravity and weight of the whip. In addition, whips have a lash at the end, a thin leather or nylon cord that allows a radius of up to 5 metres.

What kind of whips are there for horses?

Lunge whips are used for lungeing. These have a lash that can extend the action radius of the human up to 5 metres.

This means that the horse can also be touched from the middle of the lungeing circle without having to leave the lungeing position. Lungeing whips are available in different materials, which significantly influence the handling of the whip. Whips made of fibreglass and carbon fibre are exceptionally light and therefore do not become heavy on the arm during the training session. Telescopic whips are particularly popular because on the one hand they can be easily stored in the tack cabinet. On the other hand, they can be extended individually to fit the size of the person. They are available in two or three parts.

In carriage driving, bow-topped whips are used as a driving aid from behind. These are usually shorter than lunge whips, as is their lash. It forms the bow that gives the whip its name.

Touchier whips can also be counted as whips, as they are longer than a dressage whip from 1.40 m in length. They have a shorter lash than a bow-topped whip. Touchier whips are often used in ground work or as an extended arm of the second person who supports the rider from the ground, for example when training piaffes.

Lungeing a horse: How to use whips correctly?

• Whip should be 2.50 – 3 m long
• The lash should also be 3 m long
• Whip and lash should be long enough to touch the horse’s hindquarters without the lunger having to leave his position.
• Centre of gravity of the whip must be adapted to the size of the user
• Handle should have a good grip so that it does not slip out of the hand.

The correct use of the whip needs to be learned so that you can get the best possible training potential out of lungeing.

Hold the lungeing whip loosely in your hand. The end of the whip points to the horse’s hock while you stand at the level of the horse’s shoulder. This way you form a triangle with the horse, lunge and whip.

In principle, a whip should be with you at all times when lungeing, even if the horse has a great forward urge on its own. A lungeing whip replaces the rider?s leg and serves as an aid to keep the horse on the circle line.

To avoid frightening the horse from being touched by the whip, never swing the whip at the horse from the back to the front. Hold and swing the whip in the horse’s field of vision at all times. Also, do not swing the whip continuously, otherwise the horse will become dull.