Sticks/whips/crops

Mo-Jo

Mo-Jo

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16 June 2012
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I've started riding a 14hh pony who needs a tap behind the leg to get her going. Thing is, I've been riding speedy horses for so long I've forgotten what to do with a ploddy pony!

I can't work out how to hold the whip without my hand ending up at an angle. I feel like it's either halfway up her neck or horizontal along my thigh. And how long a whip should I use? Will a regular schooling whip be too long for a pony?
 
I use a standard length schooling whip on a shortish coupled 14,1. I used to say the same about whip and hand angles (couldn't keep thumbs on top and direct my schooling whip in the right area) but I think it comes with practice? I don't notice the issue any more.

I did manage to throw my jumping whip on the ground at the first fence of a course today though. Very unco-ordinated moment.
 
If the whip sticks out at an angle and your hand turns over so your knuckles are on top, hold your hands further apart. A normal length schooling whip will be fine.

Ponies are cute. :) What activities do you plan to do with her?
 
Thank you that's helpful, I'll try hands further apart.

Planning on doing anything involving exercise, haha. She is very fat and only had a few rides so far, but after each one I feel like I've been the one doing all the work! I've seen her do a whole circuit in trot for her 11yo owner, so I am pretty sure she is just trying me out, but it's so much effort!

With my old share horse I trusted him to never do anything nasty, but with this one, when I use the whip she does a grunty back humpy pre-buck, and I don't want to push her too far because I don't know how far she'll go!

However, it's very convenient and I can't afford financially to be picky, so I want to make it work!
 
I've just started fusing with a schooling whip on my instructors advice. It does get easier when you start getting used to it though changing hands when you change rein is a pain in the bum.
 
Fitter I hope not fatter! Fatter isn't possible anyway haha. Thanks for your help! Tried hands further apart today and it was much better.
Also I thought a schooling whip would be much too long, but it was just right for a flick under the belly without losing the contact. Pony was much less effort hooray!
 
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