Wip Wops

[Daffy Dilly]

My home made wip wop sucks, any ideas where I can buy one? The only one I've seen online so far looks like a curtain tie back, and I can get those for less than £12. ;)

[Yann]

What's wrong with your home made one? The IH ones are the only ones on the market as far as I'm aware but it's virtually impossible to inflict pain with them and they're very visual as far as the horse is concerned :)

[Daffy Dilly]

It's very very light. Admittedly Mum went to get the line for it (having examined my instructors) but I have to use a considerable amount of force to get it to swing at all, and unless it touches something it's hard to take back over.

We used my instructors on Monday and that was great, made from 8mm yachting rope, and when Daffy got the hang of it towards the end it was becoming more and more visual, in that I only had to go to take it and he'd do as asked. However he is still learning the jist of all this stuff (as am I) so the added weight in that we can put the pressure on his shoulders is probably necessary right now.

Yesterday, when I tried mine, I had to use it more and more each time, so eventually just put it in my pocket and went back to leg and rein aids as opposed to the weight aids we're starting to learn.

[Daffy Dilly]

Browsing google further, the curtain tie back does appear to be the IH one. So rather than trying to figure out what rope I want from ebay, I shall just buy one of those, as I suspect that in person it *is* different to a curtain tie back. ;)

[flintybaby]

Whats a wip wop??

[Daffy Dilly]

http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/shop/displayproduct.asp?UID=19949

You basically make a figure of 8 with your hand, bringing it down onto the horse on the left then the right and back again, but it can be very light or I guess quite heavy, although I doubt it'd ever really hurt.

The way I'm being taught, is weight aid, leg aid, then start with the wip wop on alternate sides just in front of the saddle, increasing the pressure with each swing until he moves as asked. It got to the point where I just had to raise it slightly in my hand and he'd be off, although the aim is to get that response from the weight aid.

I'm sure somebody that's into NH can tell you more about it than me, I only found out what it was on Monday. I do know that I can swing it around his head and he doesn't care until I put some intent behind it.

[flintybaby]

Oh right, thanks for that! :) Didnt have a clue! lol

[katefarmer]

Thanks for asking that Flintybaby - I was wondering myself!

I use one, but just don't call it that - although I do measure the effectiveness of rope with a "Whop factor"! :D :D Anyway - I think 8mm marine is the best for this purpose - then I tie a knot at each end to give it a bit more swing. It has a good weight and the right amount of "whop" to wake the horse up without hurting it. It is a bit more expensive than ordinary rope - but well worth it.

Of course, whop factor is also influenced by the length, and the distance from the site to be whopped. For a lead rope you need about 14mm anchor line to get a decent whop factor at the greater distance. :D :D With poor quality, light rope - you hardly get out of impulse drive, let alone up to whop factor 5! :D :D

[EnduranceAli]

I just use the end of my reins (Lodge Ropes Enduro) when Frayne needs a bit more encouragement :rolleyes: A very light movement/slapping noise is all she needs to move forward when a light squeeze of the legs doesn't work. With a longer rope, I would slap myself first :p Ali xx

[Yann]

That's actually what I do with mine (ex lead rope tied in a loop). On the odd occasion I really need to say 'get on' then I swing it round so it slaps on my body protector :)

[mayoguinness]

Yeah me to, well I use a savvy string, loop it round my wrist and when he's stuck at hit it round myself (only when I have my coat on otherwise it really hurts!!) makes a great noise and raises the energy:D Guess that thingy does the same job:D

[LodgeRopes]

Hi all,
Years back I made what i then called a soft crop, sort of a wip wop. It was in response to a local rider who started to braid leather quirts. A quirt is a spanish/mexican/vaquero loaded whip that has a loop and was hung from the saddle horn or around the wrist but I didnt like the sting it was capable of giving, so I made a soft version. pic attached, It was so handy, I started just slipping it onto my wrist all the time and it replaced the carrot stick and plastic bag in the round yard, provided a very visual stimuli and was fun to use.

It was just a 3ft length of 1/2" marine double braid, we have a lot of scrap as you can imagine, a spliced eye loop one end and a tassel the other.

Last year i made a purple one for CVB's mum......

If any one wants to make such an item, just email and i can email thru details if you want to have a go at making one.

cheers
Rob