Changing dressage whip to other hand

[marchhare2002]

Could someone explain to me in a VERY SIMPLE way, how I should change my long dressage whip into my other hand. I have always ridden with a riding crop previously and now my instructor wants me to ride with a dressage whip, I am getting into a tangle!

Please help asap as I am being assessed in my lesson on Thursday

[Tina J]

Instead of passing it through your hands, as you do with a short whip, you rotate it over your hands. So the handle stays as the centre of a circle, you make the end of the whip the outside of a circle, and rotate it over the top of your hands. When you get to the other side, you just pass the handle into the other hand.

If I could draw (I can't) it would be easier - but your instructor should help anway. And its easier than I've made it sound, when you come to do it.

[KarlR]

That's a pretty good desription from Tina.

Personally I found when I asked that my instructor couldn't do it either! :eek:

However, after lots of experimenting I found it quite easy. You just have to rotate the hand with the whip in until it goes over the top (not always easy if your horses in't used to it) then grab it with the other hand (also twisted around) as it comes down again. It sounds really difficult, but it isn't - practice on the ground first and you will soon get it.

Some people try to pull it through, but it's a very bad idea - you usually end up dropping the reins, getting into a tangle and pullling the horses mouth.

[Elfin]

Yup thats right!:)

[marchhare2002]

Presumably I need to put my reins into one hand when swapping the whip over then? I just rind it difficult to turn my hand with the whip in over enough to get the whip to come over the top of my hands. It feels really unnatural.

[KarlR]

No - just keep one rein in each hand as normal. It should just be one smooth motion in a big arc (but it wont be to start with, and you might even drop it a few times!! :))

It will feel really difficult until you get used to it - some people never do - but keep trying!

[Dressage_Luvr]

Hi,

this might be and easir way to think of it, but i might not!

with your hands in normal position, try tunrin you hands, so that the BACKS of you hand are pointing tugether, then grab it with the other hand.

if that makes sense!

[Tina J]

It is easier the first few times, to put your reins in one hand. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find there's no need. Keeping the whip held with your thumb and top two fingers, take your bottom two fingers under the whip to swivel it round in the arc. Your thumb then naturally secures it against the bottom two fingers as it come round, and you can pass it to the other hand. Try practising at your desk with a pen!

You may well drop your whip a time or two to begin with, but I do it now without thinking and barely move my hands at all. It will come, just takes practise, like anything you do.

[Heather]

The easiest way is to put both reins into the hand that you already have the whip in, turn that hand down, so that your thumb is pointing downwards, release your thumb, (particularly if the whip has a little 'mushroom' on the end to stop it slipping through your hand), bring your other hand over, and twirl the whip over, drum majorette fashion. Make sure that you have the hand that you are changing to the right way up, or you will end up with the whip upright like a fishing rod! (but then , that is how they used to carry it in baroque times!).

Heather

[I'mForAris]

I've always passed it in an arch, as mentioned above, with one rein in each hand.... but I've heard from word of mouth around the barn that to pass it at a completely vertical arch is inappropriate, and that you should try to stay closer to your horse's ears (though be careful not to hit them, it confuses them :D) With practice, this can be done with only a slight movement and your horse will hardly even notice it!

[IrisSilverMoon]

I rotate it the way everyone else is trying to explain, they're probably doing a better job than i could too!

it would probably be easier if someone showed you, but once you get it it's a whole lot easier than putting the reins in one hand and pulling the whip all the way up and sticking it into your other hand. That way can sometimes turn out awkward looking and sometimes you drop your reins in the process...LOL.

[Sparkle]

I was just taught the "proper" way the other day. Put both reins in the hand ith the whip. Rotate the whip so that it points upward. Grab it upside down with the other hand, and bring it down to normal. Take your reins back. I hope I've been clear!