What Is a Riding Crop and How to Use It Effectively
Michelle DrumLet’s talk riding crops—one of the most debated tools in an equestrian’s tack trunk. Some riders swear by them for refining communication, while others worry about their misuse. The truth? A riding crop is simply an extension of your natural aids, offering a gentle reinforcement of your cues. It’s not about force—it’s about clarity. But like any tool, it’s important to understand its purpose and how to use it responsibly. So, let’s dive in and explore what a riding crop is, how it differs from other whips, and how to use one effectively without ever compromising your horse’s well-being.
What is a riding crop?
A riding crop is a short, lightweight tool designed to reinforce a rider’s leg aids, providing gentle encouragement when a horse needs a little extra motivation. When used correctly, it helps refine communication between horse and rider, ensuring that cues are understood without confusion.
Riding crops typically measure around 18 to 26 inches long, with a firm but flexible shaft, a comfortable handle grip, and a small flap or “popper” at the end. Designed for close-contact use, riders carry a crop in one hand, lightly tapping the horse’s hindquarters when needed.
A well-timed, gentle tap supplements your leg aids—serving as a reminder to move forward, change direction, or maintain speed. It’s not meant to replace your leg, nor should it ever be used with excessive force. Instead, it reinforces the cues you’re already giving, helping your horse understand and respond appropriately.
Riding crops vs. riding whips
Both crops and whips fall into the category of “artificial training aids” since they supplement a rider’s natural aids—legs, seat, arms, and voice. However, length is a key difference that suits them for different uses. A riding crop is short and designed for close-contact use, while a whip is longer, allowing riders to reach different muscle groups without shifting their reins to one hand.
This extra length makes whips particularly useful in dressage and lunging, where they help refine cues, encourage engagement, or guide a horse from the ground. Because of their reach, they can also exaggerate arm motions, making it easier for a horse to understand directional signals from a distance.
Crops, on the other hand, are more compact. Some are designed with a loose flap at the bottom that can produce a gentle “pop” sound with just a slight touch, which can be just as effective as the physical tap itself. They’re commonly used in jumping, eventing, and hunter riding to reinforce leg aids with a quick, precise cue.
Whether you’re carrying a crop or a whip, the effectiveness of an artificial aid always comes down to how it’s used. The goal is always to communicate clearly and encourage responsiveness, never to force compliance.
Types of riding crops and horse whips
All riding crops and whips are designed for the same general purpose—to enhance communication with your horse. But different disciplines and training scenarios call for different types. Let’s take a look at the key differences between each type of horse whip so you can find the right one for your riding needs.
Riding crops
Length: 21–25 inches
Used for: Hunter jumpers, equitation
A riding crop is a classic, versatile training aid, commonly used in hunter-jumper riding. It features a narrow popper at the end to reinforce leg aids when needed. Its moderate length allows for easy signaling without getting in the way, making it a go-to option for many English riders. However, using your crop while competing in hunters or equitation is indicative of a disobedience and will be scored accordingly.
Jumping bats
Length: 18–21 inches
Used for: Show jumping, eventing, trail riding
Jumping bats are shorter than traditional riding crops and feature a wider popper, which can create a distinct sound when used. This design makes them particularly effective for disciplines that involve jumps, where quick, precise cues are necessary. Their compact size also prevents them from getting caught over fences for the horse and rider’s safety.
Dressage whips
Length: 39–47 inches
Used for: Dressage
Designed specifically for dressage training and competition, these longer, more flexible whips allow riders to reinforce cues while maintaining their position. They help refine gait transitions, encourage forward movement, and guide lateral work. However, their use in competition is regulated, with strict length limits to ensure fairness and effective communication.
Learn more: Ultimate Dressage Equipment List
Lunging whips
Length: 5–7 feet
Used for: Lunging, long-lining, driving
Lunging whips are the longest type of whip, designed for driving and groundwork exercises such as lunging and long-lining. They are not meant to touch the horse. Instead, their extended reach allows a trainer to encourage forward movement using visual cues, helping the horse work in a controlled circle without a rider in the saddle. When cracked, lunging whips produce a distinctive popping sound, reinforcing commands without physical contact.
Jockey whips
Length: 27–30 inches
Used for: Racing
Jockey whips are built for high-speed disciplines like racing. They feature a padded popper to prevent harm to the horse while helping jockeys guide speed and direction. Often, jockeys don’t touch the horse with the whip but instead wave it from front to back, encouraging the horse to move forward. They may also switch hands with the whip to direct the horse closer to or away from the rail as they look for opportunities to pass other horses. Due to their potential for misuse, their design and application are strictly regulated in professional racing events.
When to use a riding crop
A riding crop should be used sparingly and only when your horse needs a gentle reminder to respond to your leg aids. It’s not a tool for punishment but rather a way to reinforce your cues when a horse hesitates or ignores them. A quick, light tap combined with your natural aid can encourage responsiveness without causing stress or discomfort.
It’s important to note that a rider should not incorporate a crop until they’ve developed steady, quiet hands in the saddle. Effective use requires the ability to hold both reins in one hand while reaching behind the leg to apply a precise tap. Without these foundational skills, carrying a crop can feel awkward and frustrating for both horse and rider, potentially causing more confusion than clarity.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has strict rules around the use of riding crops in competition:
- Show jumping: Riders may carry one non-weighted whip no longer than 30 inches while jumping or schooling over fences. Excessive or improper use can result in a Yellow Warning Card or elimination from the class.
- Hunters: The same rule applies as in show jumping—one non-weighted whip no longer than 30 inches is allowed while jumping or schooling over fences.
- Dressage: A whip no longer than 47.2 inches (including lash) is allowed in some classes but is prohibited in many competitions. Even when permitted, it should not be brought into the space around the competition arena.
- Eventing: For the show jumping and cross-country phases, riders may carry one non-weighted whip no longer than 30 inches. For the dressage phase, they can use one whip no longer than 47.2 inches (including lash), with a few exceptions.
Excessive whipping is not tolerated in any discipline. Riders who misuse a crop—or fail to follow equipment regulations—face elimination from the competition. Ultimately, a crop is most effective when used thoughtfully, to clarify communication without overuse.
How to use a riding crop
A riding crop should always be a secondary aid—never the first cue you give your horse. Start with your seat and leg aids, and if your horse hesitates or ignores your request, follow up with a light tap behind your leg to reinforce the cue. The goal is to create a clear association between your natural aids and the crop, not to rely on it for communication.
Carry your riding crop in your dominant hand until you’re comfortable using it. Then, use it on the side where your horse struggles to pick up on cues. To hold a crop correctly, rest the handle across your palm with the button end pointing up, keeping it parallel to your rein. Hold it a few inches below the top of the grip for better balance, allowing it to rest against your thigh when not in use.
Before reaching behind your leg to use the crop, switch the reins to one hand. When tapping, rotate your wrist or forearm rather than making large, forceful motions. Using a riding crop sparingly and with precision helps reinforce cues effectively without causing stress or discomfort to your horse.
Is whipping your horse cruel?
A riding crop itself isn’t cruel—it’s how a rider uses it that matters. With proper use, a crop serves as a communication tool, clarifying signals with a light tap rather than causing pain. It should never be used with force, frustration, or as a means of punishment.
Tapping is the only acceptable way to use a crop, and it should never leave a mark or cause distress. Repeated or forceful strikes turn the crop from a training aid into a source of fear, which not only harms the horse but also makes it less effective. Overuse can make the horse desensitized or fearful instead of responsive.
Responsible use is key—only use the crop to encourage good behavior and responsiveness, and always prioritize your horse’s well-being.
Tips for using a riding crop safely
A riding crop can be a useful tool when used correctly, but improper use can lead to confusion, fear, or even injury. To ensure you’re using a crop safely and effectively, keep these tips in mind:
- Test it on yourself first. Lightly tap your leg with the crop to gauge the amount of force you’re using. If it hurts, it’s too much.
- Practice off the horse. Before using a crop in the saddle, work with a trainer or coach to develop proper technique and timing.
- Don’t use it on the shoulder. Since the crop’s purpose is to encourage forward movement, always apply it just behind your leg where your natural aids are given.
- Avoid injured areas. Never tap a horse in an area that’s sore or injured—this can cause unnecessary pain and discomfort.
- Never use it as punishment. A crop is meant to reinforce cues, not to discipline or express frustration.
- Only use it when necessary. If your horse is responding well to your natural aids, there’s no need to introduce a crop.
Refine your ride with the right riding crop
If your horse is slow to respond to your natural aids, a riding crop can be a valuable tool for refining your cues and improving communication. For the best performance, choose one that’s sturdy, easy to grip, and comfortable for your horse.
At Farm House Tack, we offer a selection of high-quality, versatile crops for everyday riding and shorter bats for jumping. Explore our full collection of riding whips and crops and find the perfect aid to enhance your ride.
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