How are whips used correctly when riding?
For many riders, whips are as much a part of their riding image as breeches and a riding hat. In ground work they are often used as an extended arm and when riding as a support for the leg aid. At the same time, the whip can be used to make the horse more aware of its own body. However, not all whips are the same. In this guide you can read about the differences between these aids and how you can use them effectively.
Why do you need a whip when riding?
The horse has sensory nerve cells in its skin. This tactile system shows the horse when, where and what touch is taking place. This is important for the horse’s body awareness so that it knows its body limits and avoids accidents by being able to use its body in a more targeted and controlled way.
The horse’s tactile system can be trained to help the horse improve its ability to balance and orient itself. To do this, you can, for example, touch the horse all over its body with your hands or stroke it with a whip.
This preparation is important for riding with a whip. Because with a whip you train the horse’s body awareness in a targeted way. By briefly touching the hindquarters, the horse is made aware that it has „forgotten“ its hind legs.
In addition, a whip refines your leg aids. For example, if the horse does not react to the driving leg, the rider can quickly get into an unsightly jam. This prevents the horse from breathing freely, but also blocks the rider’s pelvis and thus a relaxed seat. By briefly using the whip directly behind the rider?s leg, the horse can be encouraged to react to the leg aid.
What whips are not meant for:
The whip is not a discipline tool. The horse should not be afraid of the whip because it punishes them. A whip, like the use of spurs, is a tool for nuanced communication when working with the horse. To remove the horse’s fear of the whip, incorporate it into the young horse’s training early on and touch the horse with the whip regularly.
How to use a whip correctly?
When riding with a whip, the when as well as the how and where play a decisive role.
As with the use of spurs, the use of a whip only makes a difference if it happens at the right moment. For this, the horse must have its leg in the air so that it can react adequately. For example, if the horse is to step under more, the corresponding hind leg must already be in the air. A leg that has already been put down cannot be put further forward. Give a short impulse for this and then take the whip away from the horse again. Just as a leg should not press, a whip should not be permanently pressed against the horse.
A prerequisite for correct tapping with a whip is the correct position of the whip. It is best to hold the handle firmly at the lower end and rest the whip loosely on your thigh. A jumping crop is held in the same way, but is carried in front of the rider.
There are different points of contact for the use of whips:
- directly behind the rider?s leg on the flank: the hind leg is swung more forward
- on the horse’s croup: the horse is encouraged to collect by tilting the pelvis
- at the shoulder: prevents falling over the shoulder, encourages young horses to bend more.
- at the point between neck and shoulder: the horse is encouraged over the jump to pull the front legs further up.
Which whip suits me?
Whips differ not only in length but also in their elasticity and therefore also make a difference in their possible uses.
Generally we distinguish between:
- Riding whip
- Dressage whips
- Jumping crops
Riding whips and dressage whips are longer than jumping crops. Jumping crops are designed to encourage the horse to pull its front legs higher by briefly touching the horse at the point where the neck meets the shoulder. Jumping crops are relatively short (0.75 m) and very stable.
Dressage whips and riding whips, on the other hand, are up to 1.20m long so that the horse can also be touched at the croup. The length of the whip depends not only on the discipline ridden but also on the size of the horse. A 1.20 m long whip can be too long for a pony. When buying a whip, make sure that the whip reaches the exact spot you want to touch without the hand leaving its position.
The elasticity depends on the rider’s hand. Beginners with a restless hand need a firmer, more stable whip that does not knock uncontrollably against the horse’s side. More flexible whips, on the other hand, are very suitable for dressage, for example, when the horse is to be encouraged to piaffe.
This is how you determine the correct degree of elasticity of your whip:
Do not use touchier whips for riding. These are too soft and make precise help impossible.
To determine the correct degree of elasticity of a riding whip, grasp the whip by the handle and move it quickly through the air. It should bend slightly and make a soft whistling sound. When you stop again, the whip should not bounce.
When buying a whip, answer the following important questions for yourself: How steady is your rider’s hand? How tall is your horse? Do you only want to touch the horse directly behind the thigh or do you want to reach the croup for higher dressage work? How heavy should the whip be for you – you can choose between carbon (very light) or fibreglass (more stable material).