T he whip

Correct use of a schooling whip is purely to improve the response a horse makes to an aid, ie for the horse to yield to momentary pressure. A whip should never be used as an instrument for punishment. In fact using a whip to inflict pain on a horse is likely to have exactly the opposite effect to the one that is desired – tension, stiffness and resistance, rather than cooperation and willingness. The rider’s seat, leg and hand are natural aids, whereas whips and spurs are artificial aids used to reinforce the natural aids.

The correct use of positive and negative reinforcement (part of operant conditioning) is an important component of training horses. If a horse ignores a forward driving aid - a nudge from the rider’s leg - the applied leg pressure can be ‘escalated’ with a stronger leg nudge. If the horse does not go sufficiently forward, a stronger nudge or a light tap with the whip can be used. An educated horse will generally respond to one light leg nudge or tap with the whip. A green horse may require repeated, escalating nudges or taps. As soon as a horse responds, the applied leg pressure should cease (be ‘removed’). Positive reinforcement when the horse performs the correct behaviour – using voice ‘Good boy’ and/or stroking and/or scratching the neck is equally valuable in training.

The principle behind using any aid – leg, hand, seat or whip - is that the pressure is removed the instant the horse responds correctly. This negative reinforcement motivates the horse to respond in the same way in future when that driving or restraining aid is applied.