The
Whip
and I
By Suzanne Border
Using the whip correctly when
training your driving horse can
greatly improve his performance
in the show ring.
T
he driving whip is one of the most misunderstood pieces of
horse equipment. There are many folks who consider themselves “drivers” who have never learned to properly use the
whip as an aid in performance, viewing it only as method of punishment. An explanation of the proper application of the whip as an aid
may cause you to view the whip in a different light.
When you ride a horse, you use your hands, your legs, your voice and
your weight to produce a collected and balanced performance from
your horse. You must also have a bond of trust with your horse that
you use to communicate. This link between you must be developed,
so if you are not the person who started or trained your horse thus far,
you have some homework to do.
With a horse in the cart you are limited to only using your hands, your
voice and your whip- which actually functions as your legs. If you are a
serious competitor and enjoy winning, then you need to step up your
game and become acquainted with the whip and the proper application of this valuable aid.
This would not be considered the proper arm position for safe and
effective driving (also you are banging your horse in the mouth with
your rigid position). Your driving whip should be carried at a 45 degree angle, so it is in the proper position when you engage it.
The length and the weight of the lash an important component, and
the way you apply the lash of the whip is equally important. The correct way to move your horse forward into the bridle is with a gentle
side to side, gentle wrapping motion. This is the finesse part of driving that gets lost in the shuffle. You encourage the horse to move up
into the bridle with the aid of the whip, while gently holding a steady
“feel” with the reins. Not pulling the horse back into frame with the
bit. You gain a forward flow from the horse that looks easy and natural, not a performance that looks hard and forced.
The type of whip you use for this training is a bit different than the
style you see in the driving classes. Exhibitors are typically seen using
a dressage whip of sorts, very rigid, that has a lash tip of 3-4 inches in
length. The correct length of whip to use for this exercise will reach
the point of the horse’s shoulder, and no more.
If you have your arms and hands in the proper position, bent at a 90
degree angle, you have enough distance to the point of the horses
shoulder to carry a proper driving whip. If you have your arms lifted
straight out in front of you, reaching up for the bridle, you do not.
68 Miniature Horse World
O ctober / N o v ember 2 0 1 5
Photos courtesy of Susan & Al Bulgawicz