Which riding crop should you choose for your discipline?
How an artificial aid works depends on the demands of each discipline. Whether you ride over fences, in the dressage arena or out on cross-country, length and handling are what guide your choice:
- For showjumping and cross-country: a short jumping bat is quick to use, either behind or in front of the leg. Models such as the FLECK "Soft" jumping bat, the FLECK "Delta Pro" jumping bat or the WHIP & GO "Jumping" crop suit jumping rounds, while the FLECK cross-country whip is made for varied terrain.
- For dressage and flatwork: a dressage whip lets you ask the hindquarters to work harder without losing rein contact. The Fleck EVO dressage whip, the FLECK FELDMANN® "Classic" dressage whip and the WHIP & GO "Saumur" dressage whip are well-known choices for this discipline.
- For groundwork and training: a natural horsemanship stick or schooling stick extends your arm to guide the hips or ask for yielding. You will find the WHIP & GO natural horsemanship stick and the QHP training stick with flag.
Short or long: which length is right?
The length of the shaft directly affects how precisely you can give an aid. For general riding and jumping, riders commonly use a short whip of 50 to 75 cm, such as the WHIP & GO 53 cm crop, which is easy to handle without getting in the way of the horse's neck.
In the dressage arena, a long whip is usually 100 to 130 cm. The extra reach helps you give a gentle aid towards the hocks while keeping a steady seat. For racing styles of riding, the jockey whip, such as the WHIP & GO long Australian jockey whip, has a specific design suited to that way of handling it.
What should you look for in the handle and the slapper?
The grip and the finish of the shaft affect your comfort and how clear your aids are:
- The handle grip: non-slip handles give a secure hold in all weather. Finishes vary, from golf-style or nubuck grips at FLECK to gel or studded coverings at WHIP & GO. The Fleck EVO shoulder whip shows how much thought goes into ergonomics.
- The shaft construction: fibreglass gives plenty of flexibility, as on the WHIP & GO fibreglass whip with braided nylon cover, while other models use carbon for a featherlight feel.
- The shape of the slapper: the slapper at the tip gives a visual and audible signal that reinforces the aid without needing excessive force. Leather, synthetic and patent slappers differ in how sensitive they feel.