Horse Whips

We also know them as dressage whip and riding crop. Horse whips act as a supplemental aid for a rider to use to encourage a horse to go forward and sideways. It also offers increased engagement and similar intentions. With the correct use of the whip, the rider signals to the horse and is not a means of punishment. However, it does not mean a horsewhip is never suitable for discipline or correction. But a good horseman never actually beat a horse.

No matter what, whips help to encourage the behaviour of the horse as opposed to punishing or scolding them. This unique horse training tool helps the owner or trainer to correct the behaviour of the horse. It also helps in developing an understanding and coordination between the rider and the horse. Meanwhile assisting riders to command and control the horse whereas assisting the horse to understand and obey those commands. Commonly a rider employee the whip by tapping the horse on the backside. Although it sounds like a simple move, there are several types of whips for horse riding and training. These types have different uses or promise to deliver different results for the users.

Different types of horse-riding whips

There is a wide variety of horse training tools available that makes the selection process overwhelming. At the same time, the equipment required to train a horse as well as the methods used can vary depending on the horse, person and the overall objective. The list of essential horse training equipment is long enough to cover in one discussion. This is the reason why; today we will focus on helping you get familiar with the horsewhips. To give you a close look, we are about to hare some standard horse training whips. With defining the differences between these types, we will also share a glimpse of the proper use of these whips, along with some other factors

The crop whip (leather horsewhips)

This is the most common type of whip. These whips vary in length but generally stand between 24- and 30-inches in length. By construction, they have fibreglass or cane covered in leather or fabric. However, covered whips are expensive among the two. The rod, in this case, is relatively flexible, and the whip has a handle at one end. This type of whip has wrapping of extra layers of leather or fabric over the rod.  The top layer is a pommel that is either covered in fabric, leather or metal. While the business end has a loop or two short flaps. The crops usually have a wrist strap (despite many considering it dangerous to wear on).  Moreover, they break easily and can hurt the horse that’s why it is forbidden to use if broken.

The show cane horse racing whip

A show cane in no way (and under any circumstances) used to hit the horse. Just like a dummy spur many dressage riders use it entirely for decorative purposes. These canes are either plain or come with inexpensive leather covers. The latter mentioned is often very expensive. It is a common habit among riders to decorate the whip with the horse heads antlers or fancy tips. They come both with and without flappers at the end. The show cane is generally held in the rider’s inside hand as it rests against the shoulder of the horse. They are rigid. Many models come with steel-reinforced construction that makes them last longer. Hence, using them on a horse will be a brutal and inhumane act, seriously hurting your animal.

The hunting whips

They are also known as the English hunting whips. They are rarely seen outside the hunt field. It consists of a cane same as the show cane. Just like a show cane, this one is also not used on the animal. By construction, it has 5’ or 7’ lash attached to it. The core purpose of these whips is to keep the hounds from getting under the horse feet. It helps the rider to flick the long lash at a dog without taking his/her hands off the reins. Here the lashes are typically attached to the whip in a break-away manner. This construction comes in handy if the horse steps on it (as the horse comes free). Hence, they come with mild application in the field.

The dressage whip

It is much like the crop whip but not long enough. Customarily it is 45” long and comes with a short leash. The design helps the rider to tap the horse without taking his/her hands off the reins. The dressage whip assists in training exercises in which the horse’s front and hind end move independently. This whip is never used to correct the horse but only to give clear initial signals while teaching the movements. Eventually, the focus is to remove the whip from the equation. Overall speaking whips of all types are prohibited in dressage arenas. These whips are also used by side-saddle riders who carry them on the right side.