How to Carry a Dressage Whip?
A few years ago i took lessons in dressage and rode a lesson horse with a dressage whip and everything, but now i want to use one with my current horse- but i cant remember which side to carry it on. i have heard a lot of controversy about whether to carry it on the inside or outside, so i just want to know what YOU were taught to do.
inside or outside?
i know how to carry a dressage whip, and how to switch hands and all, but what i dont remember is if you carry it on the inside or outside
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I have been taught a number of different ways, however I find it best to see which suits the horse, and this is the way I have mostly been taught).
Say your horse just needs the occasional tap behind the leg to keep them forward, in that case, it does not matter which side you carry it on (on horses like that I don’t change it, just carry it in a different hand each ride so they get used to it). You just want forward, not a specific leg.
If your horse really falls in on the circle (makes the circle smaller and smaller) and does not listen to your inside leg when you ask them to move out (essentially leg-yielding out), then it is best to carry a whip on the inside to back up that inside leg, and swap when you change rein.
The same for the opposit, if they fall out on the circle, carry it on the outside to help control the shoulders and swap when you change rein.
Some people find that they so regularly need to swap that they just carry two, one in each hand. Personally I think that is a bit extreme unless your horse is REALLY dead to your leg and cannot handle spurs.
You should just find which suits your horse, you are training, and the whip is designed to help with your leg aids, so you can hold it on which ever side your horse would benefit most! Ithere is no real right or wrong, as long as you use it correctly, that is all that matters!
Hope that helped.
Here’s a pic
http://www.classicaldressage.net/images/pampos02.jpg
To be useful, it’s best to carry it on the inside, but honestly, most people (me included) get sick of swapping it over every time you change the rein.
If you know your horse needs the additional aids then try to change it over and use it properly… If you’re just using it as a ‘hey, wake up and get moving!’ aid, then it won’t matter so much!
You are supposed to hold it so that it lies flat across your thigh and the end is right behind it. You should use it on the inside during the shoes, but when you are schooling, use it on which ever side your horse needs to pay attention more on. ex. If you horse doesn’t listen to you outside leg going right, hold it on the outside.
It really depends on you and your horse, i carry mine on the inside but your horse may prefer it on the outside, what mad you decide that you need one?