Do you carry a whip and wear spurs at the same time?

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seana12

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As above really!? As per previous post just trying to learn more about artificial aids and when, why and how we use them!
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Thanks
 
Yes I do, I was always taught to use both XC. I have stoped wearing spurs at the mo on my boy as been mainly hacking, I have had a couple of jump lessons recently and only taken a whip as he has been quite fresh and I have not needed them
 
I don't wear spurs unless I have to, would rather have them going off the leg and don't trust myself enough to not end up nagging and jabbing, but always carry a whip.
 
I've never worn spurs because my horse is loony enough and my lower leg isn't secure enough. I think my sister's old pony was a prime example of how to break all the rules and horrify NH people though- when they went XC she had spurs, a whip and a cheltenham gag!! However, the pony was insanely strong but also prone to dropping right behind her leg and suddenly refusing to move!
 
At the moment I don't use either, my horse is pretty green still and I wouldn't want to become reliant on them. I wouldn't be confident enough in my lower leg to bother with spurs at this stage and I want him to go freely from the leg.
 
I always carry a whip whatever I am riding. I work on the basis that I can carry one and not use it but if I don't carry one I can't use it should I need to.

I don't often use spurs, but do occasionally for dressage depending upon how the horse responds.
 
I use spurs for schooling and always carry a whip, I feel naked without it!
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As someone has said much rather carry one and not use it. Although did have to use it at weekend, we were walking down a path next to a field that has old colapsed barbed wire fence, horse spotted man on horizon walking dog, swung around and walked towards man (and barbed wire) in some sort of trance, completely ignoring my attempts to turn so I had to belt him across the shoulder to say 'OI!! no you aren't shredding your legs this morning!!'

so other than the occasional slap to shock the brain back into gear I would use to back up leg if he napped, but usually its just an accessory mainly used for back scratching and moving brambles out the way.
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yes and yes

If I am only hacking then I only carry my schooling whip but if I am having a lesson then I have to put my spurs on. Also I always compete (BSJA) in spurs and carry my short whip.
 
I barely ever use either, I use a whip when jumping out and spurs when showing but at home use neither
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oh unless instructor makes me
 
i wear spurs on horses where i feel its necessary but i will always carry a whip even on a fresh horse. the type of horse just determines the type of whip/crop. (as in a nice short jumping style whip on fresh horses, for general schooling on everything else is a dressage/schooling whip etc)
 
Yes spurs and schooling whip for dressage and schooling at home as my horse has a tendancy to be forward but not actually in front of the leg. I find the spurs help refine the aid and allow me to create impulsion without speed. I also jump in spurs with a short whip. Out hacking no spurs and generally a schooling whip although its rarely used.
 
I carry/wear both. I have been criticised for it on a fun ride (and behind my back at the yard hehe). I use the whip to get his attention and I have the spurs to keep him off his forehand. V rarely need to use either. But I always have them just in case - if he gets on his front end he tanks off.
 
*Long reply warning, with random musings*

I don't currently wear spurs but have done on a previous horse who went better with them - we were always schooling towards not needing them though, and did manage to spend more and more time without them on - of course, as with a whip, you are fine until the one moment you really wish you had it/them.
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I used to always carry a schooling whip and felt like I was riding without my hat if I forgot it! Just recently I have been hacking Frankie without one though, since we are going around a farm and I *thought* there wouldn't be call to use one since he is more go than woah and any very occasional napping and it wouldn't be into anywhere dangerous like a road.

Funnily enough last week he napped (apparently THAT bit of concrete had suddenly turned into a trapdoor to hell, so why on earth was I asking him to stand on it and make us both be forever doomed?!
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) and I believe I was more effective at getting him to go forwards quicker than had I have been carrying my whip and given him a smack. I think that was a good lesson for me, as he is an argumentative sort, and we work infinately better together when I quietly insist on him doing something, rather than raise my insistance as loud as his objections, if you know what I mean.

However, yesterday the little toad threw a strop because we weren't going fast enough (lots of walk on prescription at present to lose some weight) and so when I did do some schooling at faster paces he threw his toys everywhere to evade through the shoulder. If I had been carrying my whip I would have delivered a smack down his shoulder and all would have been well again.

So I will be carrying my whip again, and just trying to be a bit more conscious as to when I use it.
 
Both for schooling. When he was a baby I didn't wear spurs though, only put them on occasinally to get him off my leg as he used to back off a lot but he's the complete opposite now which is good! So they're just there as back up, eg leg yielding on his stiffer side when he's reluctant to move as quickly off my leg as I'd like.

Only carry a whip whilst hacking.
 
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I always carry a whip whatever I am riding. I work on the basis that I can carry one and not use it but if I don't carry one I can't use it should I need to.

I don't often use spurs, but do occasionally for dressage depending upon how the horse responds.

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Ditto this. Always carry a whip out hacking even if only to stick out at right angles to me and my horse so as to keep cars from getting too close (a bit of flourescent tape round the end works wonders for this!).
 
I don't carry a whip or wear spurs when riding. When doing in hand lateral work I carry a schooling whip purely to help with forward movement if needed. It has never been needed yet but could happen and I'd rather be prepared for that.
 
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