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The whip is an artificial aid and should be used for encouragement or correction rather than punishment. They come in a variety of lengths and styles to suit a range of riding requirements.
Using a whip behind the leg to reinforce the leg aid is the correct manner in which to use a whip to encourage a horse to go foward or move more actively. Using the whip on the shoulder can be useful for a horse wandering to one side. However, to use the whip on the shoulder often prevents a horse going forward.
General Purpose Riding Whip
The standard general purpose riding whip is around 60 to 75 cm long and used for general purpose riding and hacking. In order to use the whip effectively behind the leg to encourage the horse to go forward necessitates the rider releasing one hand from the reins.
They come in a variety of colours and sometimes have a wrist loop attached - however these are dangerous and can cause damage to the rider's wrist if the whip becomes entangled or caught.
Schooling/Dressage Whip
These whips range in length from 90 to 120 cms and are slimmer than the general purpose whip. Generally speaking a schooling whip will be shorter and stiffer than a dressage whip. Both are used behind the leg in order to encourage the horse to go forward without the need for the rider to remove a hand from the reins. Dressage whips are also used by advanced riders to develop high school movements. They come in a variety of lengths with different types of handles.
Show Canes
These are short leather cover sticks designed to be carried in the show ring and to enhance the general impression rather than allow for any real effectiveness. However they can be useful for administering a sharp corrective tap on the shoulder. Some styles come with ornamental heads.
Jockey Whip
These are short whips with wide leather end pieces. They are designed to make maximum noise when used on the horse but to cause very little pain. They come in a variety of styles and colours and are not normally seen in the show ring although occasionally used for show jumping.
Polo Whip
The Polo Whip is a fairly stiff whip of around 90 cm in length with a large end stop and a wrist loop. Designed to be used when playing polo without the need for the rider to take their hands off the reins.
Lunge Whip
Lunge Whips are around 150 to 165 cm in length with a long thong or lash of similar length. They are designed to encourage the horse to move forwards whilst on the lunge either by waving or "cracking" behind the horse" rather than actually used on the horse.
Hunting Whips
These are solid leather covered whips with full thongs and a lash. There is a horizontal stop on the handle used for opening gates when mounted. The whip is only designed for controlling hounds and is never used directly on the horse.
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