How to Use the Riding Crop

Riders from many disciplines use varieties of riding crops and whips to help control their horses. Riders should limit their use and never yield them with excessive force. Riding crops are constructed from a long shaft of flexible material such as fiberglass and are usually coated with leather or fabric.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide whether you need a crop. Many non-professional riders never use one, while other swear by them. If your horse is already responsive, consider riding without one.

    • 2

      Choose a riding crop suitable to the type of riding you're interested in. True crops are relatively short, but the term is often used to apply to whips of all sizes. A regular-sized whip is suitable for equitation or jumping. Longer whips are used for dressage. The longest sort are known as lunge whips, used to draw the horse's attention when cracked in the air. Jockey's whips have a wide end and are designed to make a loud noise on coming into contact with the horse's body.

    • 3

      Hold the thickest end of the crop in the dominant hand. If the handle has a loop attached to it, put your hand through it. Practice riding first, while holding the crop to ensure balance can be maintained.

    • 4

      Gently flick the crop against the horse's body behind your leg. Only do so when the horse needs encouragement to follow an action already dictated through the reins or legs. Never use the crop to punish the horse. Tap the horse lightly on the shoulder if it begins to wander and doesn't respond to other commands to stop.