Using the whip/crop

[Talesofthehorse]

Hi guys,

I need some help, I'm a novice rider who has been riding for 3 months, in my lessons I don't consistently get a good forward walk or good working trot! My RI tells me to use the whip (i use a fairly long one on Chester my favourite horsey!) to back up the leg aids, which is fine! (I realise my leg aids could be better and I'm working on this but I also know I could use the whip more effectively)

But where exactly do I give him a tap?
Plus how do I do this without taking my hands off the rein?

I've read some good advice about the strength of the tap but I'm just not sure how to do it effectively!

Any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers

[Nazdaq]

It depends on the horse as to where you use the crop, but if I was told "to back up the leg aid" I would think it would mean use it behind your leg, in which case if you use a short whip you have to take your hands off the reins. If you use a longer dressage type whip you should be able to just flick your wrist to use it (it should touch the horse just behind your ankle/calf). If the horse is being really naughty, I get told to use it on his shoulder. As a real beginner I was made to use it on his rump, but the pony I ride now does a mini-hop/buck thingy when I use it there, so I don't do that! I hope that helps you. :D

[Nik-n-Kia]

i always use it if the horse I'm riding isn't listening to my leg or voice aids but some people can be impatient and over use a crop.

schooling whips are better as they are of the tap variety and reach without you taking your hands off of the reins and smacking ahorse on the neck really doesnt mean much to them.

With a schooling whip you can really use it to back up your aids better.

Nikki xxxx

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

You can use a Schooling whip if you don't like to take your hands off the reins. With a standard crop, you'll need to take one hand off the reins (crops are carried in the inside hand). You can either tap him just behind your leg or on his shoulder, though it depends on the particular horse. I used to ride a gelding who needed to be tapped on his shoulder as he did not like being tapped behind the leg. Remember to give a light tap.

[Joyscarer]

I like a schoo;ing whip too but still can get in a bit of a muddle changing it from one hand to the other when I change the rein :o

[Talesofthehorse]

Thanks for the advice!

I think your right about the behind the leg thing, I will just have to practise! I totally sympathise joy as I struggle to change the whip when changing the rein!