Wip-Wops?

BayMare · #1 19th Dec 2008, 10:20 PM

Is a wip-wop a good alternative to a whip when riding a young horse? If its a good idea, i wouldn't mind investing some money for one if it will be an improvement on the whip when I break my horse in

shandy84 · #2 20th Dec 2008, 06:17 AM

I personally don't feel so, there is a certain subtlty you can achieve with a schooling whip that a lump of rope slapped on the shoulders etc can never achieve

old_woman · #3 20th Dec 2008, 11:35 AM

I do see the point of a so-called wip-wop, precisely because it is not subtle, in the early stages of training or re-training. It gives a clear visual cue followed by a physical and aural reminder, and little else. A schooling whip, as shandy84 states correctly, can indeed be used in a much more subtle way - but subtlety comes a bit later and at the very beginning, a clear, cannot-be-missed-or-mistaken signal is usually required.

However, investing money in one seems a bit foolish to me - surely you have a lead-rope from which the clip has departed, or a nice long, soft piece of thick laid rope? As a child, we rode our ponies with discarded tack from the local 'big houses'- hunter-sized reins on a 12.2 pony gave an effective accessory when the long end was waved in the air and used to slap the shoulder of a recalcitrant pony - it was the sight followed by the sound which resulted in action.

BayMare · #4 20th Dec 2008, 12:29 PM

Actually I agree with u both

Do I have a rope without the clip? Lol there's millions hanging about, just the type of thing I'd usually use lol.
I was just thinking, I read in these horse magazines all these wonderful things about wip-wops, doesn't look as if they're that good tho lol

Ah well, looks like it's back to the old method of crack with the schooling whip,
Or if needs be, my old rope?
Lol
x thnx

Wally · #5 20th Dec 2008, 12:55 PM

The disturbance in your body caused by waving a bit of rope about does not make for quiet, elegant riding.

A schooling whip used correctly causes least disturbance to the rider and thus does not disturb the horse, but conveys a clear message.

BayMare · #6 20th Dec 2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

The disturbance in your body caused by waving a bit of rope about does not make for quiet, elegant riding.

A schooling whip used correctly causes least disturbance to the rider and thus does not disturb the horse, but conveys a clear message.

I couldn't agree more

The reason I asked the question was i was wondering would a wip-wop or rope be kinder to use on a young horse?

Wally · #7 20th Dec 2008, 01:03 PM

I don't think there any "kind" about it, a young horse needs clear signals, if you are using your weight and seat correctly, the last thing you want is a disturbance in it while you wave a rope about.

I assume you have to let go of one rein to use it?

shandy84 · #8 20th Dec 2008, 01:48 PM

Totally agree with Wally I am starting my young horse atm and she gets the point of the schooling whip but when my trainer tried a whip wop it frightened her and made the ride a lot harder

#9 20th Dec 2008, 01:55 PM

If you were to teach the horse correctly why is a whip (or wip wop) needed??

BayMare · #10 20th Dec 2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

I don't think there any "kind" about it, a young horse needs clear signals, if you are using your weight and seat correctly, the last thing you want is a disturbance in it while you wave a rope about.

I assume you have to let go of one rein to use it?

Yeah i get the point loud and clear lol.
Thnx for the advice

Wally · #11 20th Dec 2008, 03:29 PM

Sometimes it is kinder to back your leg up with a tickle from a schooling whip, than kick , kick, kick.

A whip is not a punishment it shold be an extension of your body.

I always carry a whip when driving, as should any decent driver, what's not "correct" about using it?

#12 20th Dec 2008, 03:40 PM

Now have images of a whip sticking out a drivers window...

Wally · #13 20th Dec 2008, 04:09 PM

No windows on my carts

Bay Mare · #14 20th Dec 2008, 04:18 PM

Have to agree with Wally and Shandy.

A whip can also be used to make a noise by tapping it on your boot which can be just as effective as tapping the horse with it if they're being a bit sticky.

You can also use the schooling whip for when you start lateral work which you couldn't with a wip wop.

Much better, imo, to get a horse used to whips. I'd always start a youngster off in hand and long reining where a wip wop would be useless but where a whip will be a visual aid, especially in long reining, as well as being used to back up the 'leg' aid (which would be your hand/fingers for in hand).

loziasa · #15 28th Dec 2008, 04:23 AM

I am agreeing with Wally totally here. To get a young horse focused and working well, you need to give clear, concise signals to ensure they are able to understand. You have to give the animal the benefit of the doubt to do as it is asked, and then as Wally said, a schooling whip would be used as an extension of your aids as apposed to repeated kicking that would frustrate the horse and rider

beating_hooves · #16 28th Dec 2008, 10:24 AM

I think they could work with consistency, time, and patience. But like others have said you could get the same results from a schooling whip, it's just whichever you prefer to use really.

But please dont buy a wip-wop, an old leadrope will work just fine

puzzles · #17 28th Dec 2008, 11:29 AM

Ditto Wally.

I think, especially with young horses, that the least 'extra help' would be preferable - wip wops can gvie the horse a bit of a fright, which may well be the intended effect but does not leave much else for use in emergancies. If you're giving all you've got with a wip wop (which aren't very subtle) then what would you have left in resevr? And it would not encourage the horse to listen to subtler, more refined aids such as those given with the whip.
A twig may well do the trick just as well!

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