We encourage all staff and volunteers to carry and use a dressage whip when necessary for horse leading and riding. Here’s why:

In natural horsemanship, there are four natural riding aids: voice, seat/weight, leg, and hand/rein. When leading a horse, we use these natural aids along with artificial aids, like a whip, either individually or in sequence. When used correctly, a whip serves as an extension of the rider’s leg or leader’s arm, reinforcing the natural aid of the leg.

When leading a horse, the instinct is often to pull the horse along. However, this action causes the horse to hollow out its back, leading to poor posture and movement. Instead of pulling, a whip can encourage better posture and forward movement in the horse.

Dressage whips are designed to be lightweight, flexible, and balanced. Proper use requires attention to timing and placement. The whip should reinforce the natural aids, with its placement mimicking where the rider’s leg would apply pressure.

Cousyn, P. (2023). Correct use of the dressage whip. Dressage Today. https://dressagetoday.com/lifestyle/correct-use-dressage-whip-pierre-cousyn/