Crops/Whips

[Hannah.Horsie]

Ive always used (well not always but when needed..u all know what i mean) long whips i think the propper names dressage whips but when given a short whip i completley missed the horses bum after flapping about for five minites i gave up i tried doing it slowly when standing (usaly waiting for a horse to hurry up and have a pee!) and did it fine but just can't when moving
any tips?

x-Hannah-x

P.S sorry about my poor speling:)

[ConfettiPony]

Maybe, first make sure you're on a horse that you're sure won't be sensitive to the crop. Then when you first get on the horse have your instructor hold the horse for you. And just reach back like you were going to hit him with it (hence why he must -not- be sensitive to it). Keep repeating the motion until you get used it. Obviously don't really hit him.

That's only the really idea I could think of besides just to keep trying, sorry!

[Bay Mare]

You should use the whip behind your leg not on his bum! The idea of a whip (short or schooling) is to reinforce your aids. If he doesn't listen to your legs then a tap with the whip backs it up and is better than kicking all of the time.

[kedwards]

With a long flexible dressage whip, you can touch the horse's side with just a flick of your wrist. However, when using a crop, you must pass the rein to your opposite hand, so that you can reach down and back to use it (just behind the leg).

[Hannah.Horsie]

ConfettiPony-Will do good idea

Bay Mare-dident know that i was always taught to do it on his bum type area ish (sorry that confused me 2)

Kedwards-i think i dont reach far enough will try 2 :)

thankyou everybody and goodnight

[BeachRiding]

Yep, as others have said a crop is used to reinforce leg aids, not to slap a horse on the rear.

[Hannah.Horsie]

thats what i meant by the 'when i need to' in my first post i wouldent just smack a horse when not even trying sorry im not verry clear:(

[Sparkie]

I'm bad with short whips too, but I tend to use them just behind my leg, its slightly easier there I think. I try to avoid using one at all though!!

[palmerlover52]

hey, i'm exactly the same, can't use short whips and never could (i always end up hitting the saddle pad/numnah or myself!!) so i use a long dressage whip so i can just flick my wrist. Theres a girl in my lesson who uses a short whip, who hits a horse on the shoulder because she can't reach easily, which generally makes the horse either fall in or change direction!! she can't get out of this habit because she tried for too long to use a short whip.:)
also i find that if i take my hands off the reins, the horses i ride are generally dominating ones who want their own way, so they either start bucking, chucking their heads in the air, or trying to touch the ground with their noses!!...so in conclusion, i'd stick with the dressage whips lol

[Laurence E. B-B]

Hannah, you do not say whether you are having lessons or not.
If you are, this is a problem that your instructor should have sorted for you.
If not; it's a matter of practice.

May I suggest that you go into the garden.
Find a large tree, or post, and pass the joined reins, or a thin rope will do, around the tree/post.
Then sitting on a low stool or box, in approximately riding position, while holding the "reins" and whip correctly, just practice passing the rein into the other hand and apply the whip.

For the whip to be effective, you need to be proficient at using it in both hands.

Good luck with it.
Laurence.