How to Properly use the Whip and Spur (The Auxiliary Aids)

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The Auxiliary Aids

The whip and spur are the Auxiliary Aids in Dressage. They are the “supporting” aids to re-enforce your leg aids. Often, the auxiliary aids are over-used, or improperly used, and the horse becomes dull and unresponsive to these aids. When used correctly, the auxiliary aids can be extremely effective to get the horse more responsive to the leg aid and to help the horse understand how to properly react to the leg.

Here are some tips for how to use the Auxiliary aids:

The whip:

The whip should be held at a 45 degree angle to the ground and pressed against the thigh of the rider to hold the whip in place and prevent the whip from accidentally hitting the horse.
In general, the whip is carried in the inside hand at the trot (to influence the inside hind leg) and in the outside hand at the canter (to influence the outside hind leg)
The rider must apply the whip at the moment that the foot is leaving the ground. Ideally, the horse responds by bringing the hind leg more forward and up underneath their belly when the whip is used.
The rider must NOT pull backwards to tap the horse. Instead, the rider must keep their hand in a forward position and the whip should hit the riders thigh and ricochet back onto the horse
Always use the leg aid first, and re-enforce it with the whip. Never use the whip first. Remember you might not be allowed to carry a whip at the show!!
Practice switching your whip smoothly from side to side (watch the video to learn how)


The Spurs:

Before using a spur, the rider must have correct leg position with the knee into the saddle and the toe pointing forward before wearing a spur.
Consider the length and sharpness (ie. blunt end, sharp end, or rowel) that is best suited for you and your horse
Always use your upper leg and calf first WITHOUT using the spur! The spur IS AN AUXILIARY AID
If you need to use the spur to get a reaction, be sure to repeat the aid until you get the reaction without using the spur.
The spur can be used either as a “pressing” aid or as a quick kick depending on the reaction that you want from your horse


Hopefully these tips are helpful! If used correctly, the auxiliary aids can be very useful in getting your horse even lighter and more sensitive. The whip especially can be used to “talk” to the horses’ hind legs and to shape their hind end and pelvis under. Just remember to always ask nicely first before re-enforcing with the auxiliary aids or you may make your horse even more dull!!

Happy Riding!

Amelia

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