Its schooling/dressage whip shopping time!!

Maybe it was just me, but when I learnt to ride on lazy school ponies, I was never given a schooling whip, I just had a regular crop, and then the ponies were squeezed, kicked, and then smacked with the whip on the arse pretty hard, so that they learnt to respect me as a rider, and afterwards, I would simply have to squeeze to get an immediate response, rather than having to constantly tap with the whip. Needless to say, both of my horses are forward going horses who are never ridden with a whip, as I couldn't have my own horse that was lazy :p .

TG, if you still want a schooling whip, if there is a saddle shop around your area, I would go there, I love the place, and you can get a discount card so you get a certain % off the price of every purchase.
 
vikkiandmonica said:
Maybe it was just me, but when I learnt to ride on lazy school ponies, I was never given a schooling whip, I just had a regular crop, and then the ponies were squeezed, kicked, and then smacked with the whip on the arse pretty hard, so that they learnt to respect me as a rider, and afterwards, I would simply have to squeeze to get an immediate response, rather than having to constantly tap with the whip. Needless to say, both of my horses are forward going horses who are never ridden with a whip, as I couldn't have my own horse that was lazy :p .

TG, if you still want a schooling whip, if there is a saddle shop around your area, I would go there, I love the place, and you can get a discount card so you get a certain % off the price of every purchase.
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Erm, I'm a bit confused by your post!

Anyway, I have a schooling whip now :) Oh, do you know the tack shop near me? Its fab isnt it! The only one I know of in my area tho.
 
MrsMozart said:
TG - Just keep doing what you're doing hun. Learning and loving it :D

A large hot choccy.

Any time you're able, come and meet the Hairy Gang. It would be a pleasure and an honour to meet you :)
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Oh gawd, MM, you just made me cry!! I'm such a wuss :o Thank you and I will def be coming to visit :D Where are you now? (Are you still moving?)

vikkiandmonica said:
What are you confused by? (my brain doesn't work once summer hits me :P )

And I'm glad you now have a schooling whip.
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My brain's gone too! 3 months off school is NOT helpful sometimes!!

I think i was a bit confused as you seemed to say it was both good and bad I had a whip, and that the horses weren't respecting me? Doesnt matter tho, I probably got that wrong!

Hehe, its bright fluoro pink :D
 
Basically, I was saying that when I learnt to ride, I had a normal crop and that was it, not a schooling whip, a short crop. Then, we would squeeze the horse, give them a little kick, then if we got not forward response, they would get smacked on the arse with the whip. The horses related the squeezing from the rider with being whipped, so immediately moved off the leg. So all I was saying, was that this eliminated the need for a whip for the whole lesson, including a schooling whip, so the riders weren't having to constantly tap the horse for any forward response.

Hope this makes more sense :D
 
MrsMozart said:
We're near junction 25 of the M1 (Derby/Nottingham).

Yes, the house is actually on the market now(!), so we will be moving, but who knows when.... :eek::cool::D
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Sounds good! Eep, good luck with the search! xx

vikkiandmonica said:
Basically, I was saying that when I learnt to ride, I had a normal crop and that was it, not a schooling whip, a short crop. Then, we would squeeze the horse, give them a little kick, then if we got not forward response, they would get smacked on the arse with the whip. The horses related the squeezing from the rider with being whipped, so immediately moved off the leg. So all I was saying, was that this eliminated the need for a whip for the whole lesson, including a schooling whip, so the riders weren't having to constantly tap the horse for any forward response.

Hope this makes more sense :D
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I do see what you mean now... But I certainly don't nag with the whip! I give a short smack if the horse doesnt respond to a squeeze, and we dont have a problem.
 
i think TG's instructor knows best - her instructor has SEEN her riding, unlike forum people who have seen just pics and videos.

i wear spurs at the RS when i need them *ducks*
 
Someone actually walked into the yard behind me, noticed spurs and said loudlt YOU'RE WEARING SPURS...WHY?! it made me jump :rolleyes: but yes i am very evil....:D
 
jumpinghorse said:
Someone actually walked into the yard behind me, noticed spurs and said loudlt YOU'RE WEARING SPURS...WHY?! it made me jump :rolleyes: but yes i am very evil....:D
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Eh?! Why'd they do that?!

Very odd...!

Honestly, might just accidentally thwack you with my unsteady hands and inappropriate pink schooling whip :eek::p
 
Having used both long schooling whips and short crops I myself would choose a short crop over a schooling whip every time for a horse who isn't that forward going. If I was given a horse to ride who had a 'whip awareness' (in that if you carry one you won't need to use it but don't carry one and it'll know and be a complete swine) I'd carry a schooling whip to give it a little tickle if needed.

As vikkiandmonica said, a sharp smack with a crop if the horse isn't moving off your leg, repeated 3 or 4 times at beginning of lesson (always, ALWAYS start a lesson as you mean to go on, otherwise RS horse will walk all over you..maybe even literally lol) results in a horse that respects your leg then for the rest of the ride and you then don't need to use said crop again.

I also prefer a small tap on the shoulder for a little reminder - I've been working on correct canter strike offs on my friends cob and a short crop on shoulder serves as a handy little reminder if he's not paying attention!

At the end of the day TG, it's whatever you're most comfortable and effective with, but don't discount the short crop, particularly now you feel more stable in the saddle to use it ;)
 
You make very valid points, AprilBlossom.

I will try to use my normal crop a bit more, but with certain horses, a long whip is a godsend!

Luckily both my whips are pink :D
 
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