When used correctly a whip, or riding crop, can help to create a horse that responds to light subtle leg pressure. This is good for training horses who have yet to learn the response to leg aids and for reminding a sluggish or lazy horse what the is supposed to be doing.
The Point of Using a Whip
The reason to use a whip, or riding crop, is to reinforce the leg pressure that is used to send the horse forward. Using a whip allows the rider to train the horse to respond to lighter leg aids without having to resort to kicking a horse who doesn’t want to go forward. Using a whip also allows the rider to make point to the horse without having to move of position to do so.
Reinforcing Leg Aids with a Whip
Using a whip to reinforce how a horse should respond to leg pressure can be accomplished in a few steps:
- Step 1: Apply pressure to the horse’s sides by squeezing with your legs to signal the horse to move forward. Immediately relax your legs.
- Step 2: Wait a moment to see if the horse will move forward. If the horse does not move off your leg repeat the same leg squeeze followed immediately by a sharp smack with the whip.
- Step 3: If the horse still does not move forward repeat the squeeze and the smack. Don’t lose your patience.
Although most horses will learn this lesson in one ride it will need to be reinforced at various times once the horse forms a habit of going forward a whip will rarely be needed. It may also be necessary to carry your riding crop with you during all rides so that your horses knows what will happen if the horse is reluctant to go forward.
Where on the Horse to Use a Whip
When using a whip to encourage a horse to go forward in response to your leg aids the whip should be applied directly behind your legs. Using the whip on the horses shoulder may get the horses attention but it will not help to reinforce any of your aids.
When Not to Use a Whip
A whip should never be used as punishment such as when your horse refuses a fence. Using a whip when your horse does not behave as you want can often have negative effects. A whip should only be used to reinforce lessons that you are trying to teach your horse, such as how the horse should respond to your aids.
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