Riding crops

Most experienced pony owners prefer to have at least two different riding crops – one for dressage and one for punishments (this way some of the fear for the crops’ potential during dressage is taken away).

During dressage and training the crop is used for light corrections – tipping rather than whipping. As a result you do not need a sturdy, durable whip, but instead (for a change) you can largely concentrate on appearance. A silver handle top for example and a shiny, elegant appearance is what most owners prefer. This whip is first and foremost a symbolic feature and there is no reason why you shouldn’t simply spoil and treat yourself.

Owners will usually prefer a real riding whip (i.e. not one designed from a BDSM point of view), many will pick an antique one (or close to it) and many actually prefer a ladies whip, since these are usually much more elegant and smaller, hence easier to carry around when traveling for example.

The second riding crop will be your punishment crop – this one should be sturdy and durable of course, as well as easy to handle and control. For this reason a real riding crop is usually better than the ones, designed for BDSM use. Many owners will even have three or more crops – most of them meant for show and only two or three for actual use.

Handy hint: Pony play is the outdoor BDSM play form. Weather conditions and other outside “thingies” may have an effect on your gear and tools. It is a good idea to have a set of simple gear and toys available for outdoor training – a set that may get dirty or wet, for example, if outdoor play is what you are into.

Lunging (dressage) line

A lunging line is a long line, used to handle the pony during dressage. The length is optional and largely determined by the available training space. I.e., if you only have a 10 x 10′ training area at your disposal, it doesn’t make any sense to by a 20′ lunging line. A lunging line is the pony equivalent of a leash and can be anything from a simple piece of rope to a nicely designed long leather line. All depends on personal preference.

The idea is that during training and dressage the pony makes sure the lunging line is always kept straight. This not only makes her to concentrate on WHAT she is doing, but also WHERE she does it and she gets used to being guided by a line (which will later be replaced by bridles) and hence feel even the slightest pull or move of it. The line can be connected to the halter, the bit or her collar, whichever you prefer.

Lunging (dressage) whip

First this: this type of whip is NEVER used for whipping. Its length corresponds to the length of the line (hence we are talking a long whip here), difficult to control at best, hence unsuitable for actual whipping.

Instead the lunging whip works as a steering instrument, hinting, lightly pushing and is used on the calves. The idea is to tick, not to hit and use the whip as a coaching/coaxing instrument. Most trainers will let this whip come down on the floor, right behind her hoofs instead of on her legs.

Most dressage whips will have a piece of rope or kefir at the end, much like the “cracker” on a bull whip. The idea behind it is largely similar to the “cracker” – it is supposed to make noise (in this case whistle through the air) and the noise is what is supposed to work as an incentive for the pony. In other words, you are not supposed to hit her with it (which can be pretty dangerous, it travels through the air at very high speeds).
 
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Always remember! SAFETY FIRST! and please use common sense.

The above article is a reprint from our information/educational site Kink Culture.
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Copyright © Hans Meyer