Hunting Crop

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robcl

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Where have people been able to find hunting crops? I am looking to get one to go with my side saddle costume which is an old hunting habit. I have a photo of the lady riding with a hunting crop rather than a side saddle cane and would like to do the same.
I am havign trouble locating one which is not hugly expensive, just wondered where everyone else had managed to pick them up?
 
some people go on ebay, but i always deal with David Thorne in Devon. he makes his own and to your particular specifications if wanted- brilliant chap i think. he has a web site.
 
I had mine from David Thorne in Devon for my 21st last week. It is looovely, so well-made and the balance is perfect (so I am told!). Would definately recommend him, his prices are reasonable too.
 
I believe that you used to be able to get hunting whips specifically for hunting, so they had a handle like a hunting crop but were longer more like a sidesaddle cane. Afterall you need the long whip to use instead of your leg so a normal hunting crop probably wouldn't work.
 
sorry for the hijack, but just googled David Thorne and have had the best giggle in ages, if you have five mins read Overdue account.
 
Sorry to but in, but are they not called hunting whips, I thought that the only crop was in a hens throught. Rosie will correct me if I am wrong!
 
rosiefronfelen said:
some people go on ebay, but i always deal with David Thorne in Devon. he makes his own and to your particular specifications if wanted- brilliant chap i think. he has a web site.
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Ebay can be a good source, there have been some rather nice ones there occaisionally, I was very fortunate to have been given a couple, although I did replace the thong and lash from ebay, beware the "Shires" thongs they aren't very nicely finished, I ended up having to take the thong and lash off a ladies one that I have but dont use.

A useful place to look is http://www.fieldandcountryantiques.co.uk run by the very friendly and helpful Louise Chatterton. They might give you an idea of what is about, although they aren't cheap, you would get a better price off ebay, however they do have a good selection

Hope this helps
 
They're hunting crops, not hunting whips. If you want a really nice one try Swaine Adeney Briggs in London, or at the other end of the market go to farm sales. The idea of a hunting crop (and please, with lash) is not to use on your horse, but to hook back swinging gates, lead a lost hound or a riderless horse. A good hunting horse or pony does not need to be ridden with a whip.
 
Aylet Anderson said:
They're hunting crops, not hunting whips. If you want a really nice one try Swaine Adeney Briggs in London, or at the other end of the market go to farm sales. The idea of a hunting crop (and please, with lash) is not to use on your horse, but to hook back swinging gates, lead a lost hound or a riderless horse. A good hunting horse or pony does not need to be ridden with a whip.
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Once they have a lash attached they are known as a whip. Sorry. I am sure we are all aware of the use of such whip! It is also used to keep hounds away from your horse. Thank you. Ihave hunted for 40 years and I think that I know how to use a hunting whip.
 
Sorry, was really referring to Katt, not you. I had gathered, obviously incorrectly, that she was referring to the style of lashless crop that came in in (think I'm right) Edwardian days, where the stock piece ended simply in a loop of leather. I stand rebuked as I haven't been out for 8 years now, but I hunted for over 55 years and in the packs I hunted with they were referred to as crops. But there you go...
 
Aylet Anderson said:
They're hunting crops, not hunting whips. If you want a really nice one try Swaine Adeney Briggs in London, or at the other end of the market go to farm sales. The idea of a hunting crop (and please, with lash) is not to use on your horse, but to hook back swinging gates, lead a lost hound or a riderless horse. A good hunting horse or pony does not need to be ridden with a whip.
Click to expand...

whips not crops-according to the late captain Wallace.
 
Personally I have always called it a Hunting Crop. However to find the matter debated is interesting.

Of course the essence of a good crop is suppleness in the thong and whip, coupled to the lenght of the lash.

Having said that one always talks about cracking one's whip, as opposed to cracking one's crop. Largely because the crop is the 'handle' and named as such, because it is the part one uses to open gates etc. Yes, I know you did not need to be told that.

However back to cracking one's whip. To do that properly and effectively and not get it caught in one's horses tail for example, is an great skill.

Supposing you are holding up hounds that are running a heel line or not steady to deer/or visa versa, if they are staghounds on the line of a fox or roiting generally. I know none of any of your hounds anywhere in the country ever do these things - of course they don't.

Oh dear, I have commited a cardinal sin because of course they are all trail hunting. Well I suppose hounds could run a heel line on a trail? No doubt some devotee of that rather curious practice will tell me that hounds cannot run a heel line on a trail?

Nevertheless, assuming scent is good about six inches above the ground and they are going on, then one is likely to be a full stretch and at the same time upon heading infront of the hounds not beside them, you should be able to crack your whip at the same time.

A whip cracked properly should be in the air above one's head.

A circular motion is required, not an up and down motion, is far more effective. A well cracked whip should sound like gunfire and will stop hounds immediately. However as I say the essence is the lash.

Indeed the whole exercise should be executed with professional poise, steadying your horse back, in order to execute the turn. Having one's horse shy of the whip being cracked, makes the whole operation somewhat counterproductive. I once saw somebody bucked off when a whip was cracked by the rider.

Lashes purchased from the saddlers (coloured variety) need breaking in, otherwise they are too stiff for the job. Generally speaking they are not long enough either.

In the case of hunt staff (you will notice I never use the term hunt servants) their's are normally blancoed thongs and whips with a hessian or white coloured extra long lash, depending upon the wishes of the Master and Huntsman.

As with most things, it is not the name or quality or what you pay for a good crop but the way one uses it.
 
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Judgemental said:
Personally I have always called it a Hunting Crop. However to find the matter debated is interesting.

Of course the essence of a good crop is suppleness in the thong and whip, coupled to the lenght of the lash.

Having said that one always talks about cracking one's whip, as opposed to cracking one's crop. Largely because the crop is the 'handle' and named as such, because it is the part one uses to open gates etc. Yes, I know you did not need to be told that.

However back to cracking one's whip. To do that properly and effectively and not get it caught in one's horses tail for example, is an great skill.

Supposing you are holding up hounds that are running a heel line or not steady to deer/or visa versa, if they are staghounds on the line of a fox or roiting generally. I know none of any of your hounds anywhere in the country ever do these things - of course they don't.

Oh dear, I have commited a cardinal sin because of course they are all trail hunting. Well I suppose hounds could run a heel line on a trail? No doubt some devotee of that rather curious practice will tell me that hounds cannot run a heel line on a trail?

Nevertheless, assuming scent is good about six inches above the ground and they are going on, then one is likely to be a full stretch and at the same time upon heading infront of the hounds not beside them, you should be able to crack your whip at the same time.

A whip cracked properly should be in the air above one's head.

A circular motion is required, not an up and down motion, is far more effective. A well cracked whip should sound like gunfire and will stop hounds immediately. However as I say the essence is the lash.

Indeed the whole exercise should be executed with professional poise, steadying your horse back, in order to execute the turn. Having one's horse shy of the whip being cracked, makes the whole operation somewhat counterproductive. I once saw somebody bucked off when a whip was cracked by the rider.

Lashes purchased from the saddlers (coloured variety) need breaking in, otherwise they are too stiff for the job. Generally speaking they are not long enough either.

In the case of hunt staff (you will notice I never use the term hunt servants) their's are normally blancoed thongs and whips with a hessian or white coloured extra long lash, depending upon the wishes of the Master and Huntsman.

As with most things, it is not the name or quality or what you pay for a good crop but the way one uses it.
Click to expand...
yes, having a registered pack of hounds and hubby being a huntsman he is fully aware of the way it should be used, thank you.
 
rosiefronfelen said:
yes, having a registered pack of hounds and hubby being a huntsman he is fully aware of the way it should be used, thank you.
Click to expand...

One would hope so. Do we have the pleasure of 'hubby' partipating upon this board or is that your exclusive brief?

There are of course, many, who since trail hunting are not aware of some of the delights hunting properly and the events that occur.

I note you have yet to make some pithy comment concerning my thread concerning Scentometers. Bet 'hubby' does not have one of those?
 
Judgemental said:
Personally I have always called it a Hunting Crop. However to find the matter debated is interesting.

Of course the essence of a good crop is suppleness in the thong and whip, coupled to the lenght of the lash.

Having said that one always talks about cracking one's whip, as opposed to cracking one's crop. Largely because the crop is the 'handle' and named as such, because it is the part one uses to open gates etc. Yes, I know you did not need to be told that.

However back to cracking one's whip. To do that properly and effectively and not get it caught in one's horses tail for example, is an great skill.

Supposing you are holding up hounds that are running a heel line or not steady to deer/or visa versa, if they are staghounds on the line of a fox or roiting generally. I know none of any of your hounds anywhere in the country ever do these things - of course they don't.

Oh dear, I have commited a cardinal sin because of course they are all trail hunting. Well I suppose hounds could run a heel line on a trail? No doubt some devotee of that rather curious practice will tell me that hounds cannot run a heel line on a trail?

Nevertheless, assuming scent is good about six inches above the ground and they are going on, then one is likely to be a full stretch and at the same time upon heading infront of the hounds not beside them, you should be able to crack your whip at the same time.

A whip cracked properly should be in the air above one's head.

A circular motion is required, not an up and down motion, is far more effective. A well cracked whip should sound like gunfire and will stop hounds immediately. However as I say the essence is the lash.

Indeed the whole exercise should be executed with professional poise, steadying your horse back, in order to execute the turn. Having one's horse shy of the whip being cracked, makes the whole operation somewhat counterproductive. I once saw somebody bucked off when a whip was cracked by the rider.

Lashes purchased from the saddlers (coloured variety) need breaking in, otherwise they are too stiff for the job. Generally speaking they are not long enough either.

In the case of hunt staff (you will notice I never use the term hunt servants) their's are normally blancoed thongs and whips with a hessian or white coloured extra long lash, depending upon the wishes of the Master and Huntsman.

As with most things, it is not the name or quality or what you pay for a good crop but the way one uses it.
Click to expand...

I thought it was a very interesting post, I am always looking to learn more!!!

Thank you Rosie for confirming that for me. I shall have to tell my OH who is a master that he is wrong and that is going to make me smile!!!!
 
Rosie, I think we must come to an accomodation that those who know just a little about these subjects should not try and get any one upmanship, or one upwomanship - don't you think? Oherwise folk will not ask questions to what is a fairly 'secluded' subject. Thus the real art of venery will not be disseminated, which the Internet provides a contempory vehicle via this excellent site.
 
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HuntingmadinEire said:
I thought it was a very interesting post, I am always looking to learn more!!!

Thank you Rosie for confirming that for me. I shall have to tell my OH who is a master that he is wrong and that is going to make me smile!!!!
Click to expand...

Thank you HuntingmadinEire.

That's another place I would like to have a day or two.
 
Judgemental said:
One would hope so. Do we have the pleasure of 'hubby' partipating upon this board or is that your exclusive brief?

There are of course, many, who since trail hunting are not aware of some of the delights hunting properly and the events that occur.

I note you have yet to make some pithy comment concerning my thread concerning Scentometers. Bet 'hubby' does not have one of those?
Click to expand...

some more antiquated history, my hubby has no idea on how to use a computer, never mind write on this board,he works from dawn to dusk on the farm anyway- we are fully aware of what still supposedly goes on thank you, now go away and fill some other poor persons head with your infinite knowledge!!
 
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