Schooling Whips – don't people know?

Lissa said:
I was taught to do it that way but with my current pony he freaks out if you do that and has nearly had me on the floor several times. As he doesn't seem to get used to it, I do it a bit like with a jumping whip. Very rarely swop it over anyway as it feels really uncomfortable in my left hand.
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Snap - I only use it for lateral work as she is sharp anyway, I drop it in the arena when I move on to canter work in case I end up in orbit. But tbh, couldn't give a flying wotsit about the "right" way. I don't do anything else the BHS way either.....

There is a difference between knowing the right way and preferring to do something else and no knowing the right way. Life's too short to follow someone else's rule book ;)
 
I hate schooling whips, they feel so long and out of control to me so I very, very rarely use them when on board. I use them more for groundwork - teaching to walk and trot next to me, long lining, lunging and the likes.

I use racewhips and show canes and change both when changing my hands as you do.
 
I have used a schooling whip when out hacking before now. I've never been taught the correct way to change hands and have only done it once or twice. TBH I just did it, didn't wave it in the horses face or spook it, or lose contact... Just swapped hands without really thinking about it.
 
My son was taught the way you describe at his riding school(I was never taught...to ride as well properly..we were just thrown on etc) and was just basically respectful of whatever horse I was on as to how they would react to me waving it around in my own fashion). The last horse I had I could rub it all over him and used it many times to tap flies from around his ears (he was as good as gold and had rhinocerous skin)! I used the whip more as a fly repeller than a whip most of the time! Another mare would have bucked if it had gone near her or freaked her out if seen out corner of eye etc!

But yes son was taught the vertical for all whip changes.(I learnt a lot myself from his riding lessons)!
 
I probably do it the wrong way, but it really doesn't bother me. I have more important things to worry about than how I change my whip ;)
Usually its up, then across and down, almost like your putting a sword away if that makes sense?
 
Due to the unique way my horse behaves my schooling whip is permanently in my right hand! But I was always taught to flip it over the top and I do this when I first get on.
 
I'm glad that Ned isn't worried about the schooling whip. I could wave it around his face and he wouldn't bother. I actually find it easier to "up and over" even if it's not correct.
 
Sixteen Hands said:
Have things changed since I was taught many years ago on how to correctly move a schooling whip from one hand to the other.

I was taught that you move the whip in what is effectively a 270° arc from one hand to the other with the whip vertical at one point. Difficult to explain, but I'm sure that many of you know what I mean. I'm very happy for someone to explain it in a simpler way.

The reason for doing so is that a schooling whip is longer than jumping whip and cannot be transferred so easily and there is the potential to catch it on the horse.

When I was out this morning I saw someone transferring a schooling whip as they would a jumping whip. It didn't go smoothly and caused them some difficulty.

But I'm finding that this isn't a one-off. I know of one BHS riding school, where lessons taught by a BHS instructor never mentioned or correct riders who don't transfer a schooling whip correctly. In fact I know of one recently qualified BHS AI who in my view uses the same method which is incorrect.

And I just out of date or is it sloppy teaching and riding?

I will always use my old way as it doesn't distract or disturb the horses I ride.

What are your thoughts?
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I used to do it that way before I had an op on my wrist nearly four years ago. It has affected my grip - it has taken a long time for me to be able to hold a whip in my right hand along with the rein and my instructors have got used to taking it from me as and when because I simply lose grip. I can no longer change the whip as I used to, and so either keep it on the wrong side, or I stop as a part of a schooling exercise, and I change it over then.

Most people may think I am sloppy or incompetent, but I don't care. It is the only way I can manage with my wrist as it is.
 
I can't change my schooling whip over in the correct way as horse has suddenly decided she's terrified of it :rolleyes: and I cba to get into an arguement over it - half the time I have it in the wrong hand anyway :o as I change the rein a lot and don't bother changing the whip.
 
I was always taught to pull the whip up the shoulder and then down the other shoulder, this was at a PC-affliated school. That's still the technique I use now, never had an issue with either crops or whips. That or I carry two, like PF. Wouldn't feel comfortable using the 'arc' method.
 
Lula, you should have read the part about the stick not being short. It was 2ft long. A bit shorter than a dressage whip alright but by no means a short whip.

Terri
 
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