Schooling Whips – don't people know?

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Sixteen Hands

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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And I just out of date or is it sloppy teaching and riding?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?
 
FfionWinnie I think what the OP is trying to say is that people lift the whip over the horses neck keeping it point down - which is lazy but may also be out of habit as I know at my riding school we only had jumping whips and so were very rarely taught the 'proper' way to change over a schooling whip.
My pet hate is people who thread their hand through the loop on whips. I was always taught that you should never do that in case the whip gets caught.
 
lucyc said:
FfionWinnie I think what the OP is trying to say is that people lift the whip over the horses neck keeping it point down - which is lazy but may also be out of habit as I know at my riding school we only had jumping whips and so were very rarely taught the 'proper' way to change over a schooling whip.
My pet hate is people who thread their hand through the loop on whips. I was always taught that you should never do that in case the whip gets caught.
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Ah - Thank you - yes over horses neck - tip pointing down.
 
lucyc said:
My pet hate is people who thread their hand through the loop on whips. I was always taught that you should never do that in case the whip gets caught.
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I was taught not to as you could break your wrist if you come off. I have a girl riding for me who has had 7 years in a riding school and I have had to tell her several times not to put it round her wrist!!
 
Whatever is easiest in a smooth flow, doesn't get caught, and doesn't frighten horse. I'm sure you all would think I can't switch a whip properly. However, I learned to pul through a whip at 30mph, twice as long as race whips are now, with 1 inch wide rubber covered reins, not getting stuck in the mane, with fluid efficiency. So really I don't get caught up in the "proper way". I need to switch hands it's automatic.

Terri
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
Whatever is easiest in a smooth flow, doesn't get caught, and doesn't frighten horse. I'm sure you all would think I can't switch a whip properly. However, I learned to pul through a whip at 30mph, twice as long as race whips are now, with 1 inch wide rubber covered reins, not getting stuck in the mane, with fluid efficiency. So really I don't get caught up in the "proper way". I need to switch hands it's automatic.

Terri
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that is racing, the correct way with a short stick and you know what you're doing.

ive seen people changing hands with schooling whips pulling it though their hands then getting the end caught and TWOooong!! - the end switch lashes the horse in the eye!

i dont think many shorter sticks are sold anymore with a wrist loop for that very reason. My old instructor used to made me cut mine off when i was a kid :D
 
I think its more many people don't have a clue how to actually use a schooling whip correctly, as an extension of the arm for lateral work etc, rather than as a long smacking stick that's the issue. I do use the arc method myself, but not bothered how anyone else does it, provided it works for them.
 
I was taught this way and I cant do it simply because I get into a muddle with the reins, whip and my hands! So I find it alot more easier just transfering it like a jumping whip :o Sometimes I am told to do it correct or I can get away with it sometimes :p
 
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.
 
I can do it "properly" one way, but not the other. Not for lack of practise - I just can't do it! I also used to ride a horse who wad terrified if you swapped it up and over, but didn't blink if you swapped it like a short whip.

I don't see the problem either way.
 
We didn't use schooling whips when I was a girl :) but we did have to cut the loops off or stretch them over the end of the handle! More recently doing training trials I was taught to rotate it - but that confuses me, so I tend to still pull through - if you keep hold with the original hand for as long as poss then there's really not much remaining length to pass over the neck and it doesn't get stuck.
 
My mare freaks if you do up and over, she has gotten a lot better but still really doesn't like it over her ears and at 21 I'm not going to argue. If you stop and slowly go up and over she can cope but in faster work we just keep it in the hand we start off with.
 
My youngster isn't keen on it going over but actually he only needs to believe I have it and then I can quietly deposit it..!
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
Whatever is easiest in a smooth flow, doesn't get caught, and doesn't frighten horse.
Terri
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I'd agree. Unfortunately many I've personally seen when using the "pull through" method don't have a smooth flow and the whip does get caught. But being riding school horses they seem to have got used to it!
It does look very messy though.

I can understand the reasons mentioned here and those who have perfected their execution but so many instructors seem not to be bothered at riding school level to show the alternative method. I just wonder why?
 
My old horse used to freak out if you did it the arc way, and I just got all in a tangle and found it easier to do it the jumping way, you don't have it in a competition so does it really matter?

I used to do a few things differently with him, like bridling too, I had a girl come to give me lessons and I could tell she was all like 'oh god she's doing it all wrong' but sorry, BHS isn't the only way to do things!
 
mandwhy said:
My old horse used to freak out if you did it the arc way, and I just got all in a tangle and found it easier to do it the jumping way, you don't have it in a competition so does it really matter?

I used to do a few things differently with him, like bridling too, I had a girl come to give me lessons and I could tell she was all like 'oh god she's doing it all wrong' but sorry, BHS isn't the only way to do things!
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It doesn't seem a BHS way any more based on what I've seen!
 
This is how I was taught as well, when I was young I remember being shown how to transfer a short crop under te reins, because I kept getting myself in a middle trying to reach to put it over the reins!

Long whips over the reins in an arc
Short crops lift hands slightly and pass it under reins ;)
 
I tend to agree with the OP, the 'correct' method isn't taught any more. Even more worrying to me, is the lack of teaching people to carry the stick in the correct hand! I was taught, in the school carry it in the inside hand, in the field in the outside hand. The number of people in the show ring who don't swap throughout the class is astonishing.
 
I *know* how to change it correctly, and was taught to do so, the problem is I *can't* change it correctly, I either drop my whip or get the reins in a tangle. Either way, the contact is lost, the rhythm is lost, and it's a waste of time, so I do it the up and over way.

It may look messy, but not as messy as getting off and on again!
 
If I'm being honest, I probably do it the wrong way (can't visualize the two types :o) But, I have never been corrected (maybe an error on RI part?) and it works for me, I don't get it tangled. :)
 
I was taught the "correct" up and over method by a BHS instructor but it was probably about 8 years ago now. Also the never put the whip loop around your wrist and to switch hands when changing the rein. I don't think I do the up and over meathod exactly as you are supposed to, but nothing gets tangled, so that's good.

Why do they still sell the short whips with the loop on? I have never seen anyone actually use it.
 
Big Ben said:
LOL, I found this online

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI4-aRsMj3Y

The first way is wrong to me, and the second way, well that isn't how I was taught either, but it s closer
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Was taught both. Can only currently use the first or I get decked with any whip (although I almost never ride with one). The second I was taught was correct for long schooling whips.
We got our loops snapped off in front of us, our instructor thought they were that dangerous. Cut a few off kids whips myself!
 
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