Things to Consider When Choosing a Dressage Whip
Things to Consider When Choosing a Dressage Whip
By Maribeth Dunlap
February 2009
When choosing a whip, one should use a whip that is comfortable to use. Choose a whip that is not cumbersome, clumsy, or uncomfortable, and something that you shouldn’t have to think about and struggle with to use effectively. There is a little bit of personal preference involved in choosing a whip, so it is important to try several by holding them in your hand to see how they feel to you. Hold it on the handle and move your wrist like you are shaking up a soda can to see how easily it moves, how it moves, and how quickly it moves. Some whips are stiffer than others and some are snappier. Check the balance of the whip on your forefinger like you would do when balancing a pencil. Try to find a whip that is balanced closer to where you would hold it.
When choosing a whip, keep in mind what it is made from. Traditionally, riders would use long, thin birch twigs because of their lightness and responsiveness, and for their flexible and balanced feel. Wood makes for a good shaft but plastic or fiberglass is fast becoming the norm these days. So try whips that have shafts made of various materials to see what you prefer.
Choosing a whip also depends upon the stage of training your horse is in and the character of your horse. You can think of whips as individuals; each has its own voice. Some speak to the horse directly and get to the point quickly, while others speak very soft and slow. Others still can be slow and direct, or quick and soft. The whippier or snappier the shaft, the faster it will speak. But, like teaching someone a new language, it is usually better to speak slowly and clearly in order to make sure the person understands you. Generally speaking, unresponsive, dull horses respond better to a whip that is snappier or whippier as it can be more biting. Very hot horses or sensitive horses respond better to a stiffer whip as the touch can be more specific and intentional.
The length of the whip must also be considered. A small rider on a small horse obviously needs less length when choosing a whip as they don’t want to be touching the flank of the horse and inviting a buck or an undesired reaction. Larger horses usually require a longer whip. Longer whips can reach the horse better without having to move the hand too far away from the withers. Short whips often don’t reach beyond the saddle pad and are virtually useless. Because of this, shaped saddle pads can be more conducive to effective use of the whip than the large rectangular ones. The whip should be long enough to reach behind the calf of the rider’s leg; too long, then it often becomes cumbersome and can touch the horse in places where you don’t want to touch the horse, like on the flank or the hindlegs; too short, then the whip is useless or the rider must crudely move the hand and maybe even the arm to effectively touch the horse, and, in doing so, compromise the rider’s position. The rider must be able to flick the wrist and touch the horse; not move the hand about.
The whip is measured from the end cap above the handle, all the way down the shaft and including the lash. So it is important to keep this in mind when making sure you have the correct whip length for competition purposes. Be sure to check the rulebook to find out what the whip requirements are. There are various options for the lash. Some whips come with a leather clapper at the end, but this can alter the balance of the whip, making it too heavy and slow. Others come with a thin thread at the end of the whip where the rider can touch and tickle the horse lightly. Some lashes are thick and others thin. Again, this is a personal preference. The important thing to remember when considering the lash is that its purpose is to add to the whip’s nuance and effectiveness.
You want to keep in mind that a whip is a precision instrument; a tool or an aid for the rider. Although it is held in the hand, it should be thought of as an extension of the leg as its purpose is to support the leg, to inspire a reaction to the rider’s leg, and to get various reactions from the horse - depending upon the goal of the rider. The whip backs the leg up to the forward and sideways driving aids. It should never be over-used and should never take the place of the leg. It should merely reinforce the leg and/or discipline the horse to the leg. The whip can be used by tickling, touching, pressing, tapping, and flicking. The intensity in which the whip is used is also important. The horse should never be ambushed by the whip. Nor should it be used aggressively and without warning, and never used in anger or without intention.
It can be difficult to find a quality dressage whip. I would suggest you avoid purchasing the ones in the “tack” section of the local feed store, as they are not true instruments of precision. I would look for a whip at a tack store or catalog that has a good selection of dressage equipment. Another good place to find a whip is at the larger dressage competitions where they often have tack vendors. This gives you a place, like the tack shop, to actually try the whips and feel them in your hand.
Photo: https://www.fleck-co.de/measuring-crops
~This article was written by Maribeth in February 2009 – All Rights Reserved - Used With Permission. ~
