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[RC] Hunt whips for dog control - Flora HillmanUnless you
are truly into foxhunting --and want/need/require a stag-horn handled whip (they
can be a bit pricey - http://www.foxhuntingshop.com/catalog/Hunt_Appointments_Gloves.html
unless you buy off e-bay) -- the best hunt whip to carry is what we call a
"walking whip" or "beagling whip" (see the whips used on the opening web page http://www.geocities.com/brbeagles/hollyhill.html.)
It is really just a nicely finished & polished 18-20"
long wooden stick with a knob end (for knocking a wayward hound on the head
when it refuses to pay attention).
The lash is
the most expensive part and even cheap ones (that break too quickly) sell
for over $100. I buy mine directly from England where they are
handmade for me. Actually is cheaper than trying to by them here and
they last through the heaviest usage. Equiteric (http://www.horseloverz.com/) used to have
the walking (short & thin) lashes for about $30
(?) (I used to buy them by the armload for our whole staff for walking out
the pack), but...I haven't seen them in a long time. However, they are way
too short for chastising a hound (or dog) from horseback.
A lunge
whip thong (http://www.tackinthebox.com/tack/schooling/WH4130.htm)
is cheap and pretty effective alternative, although at 120" long it will
take a longer swing and more force to get that crack than a regular hunting
lash.
A quickie all-in-one hunt whip can be made by
taking a lunge whip and cutting the handle down to about 20-21" (usual length
for a man's hunting whip). Duct tape the end to prevent fraying, and you
have a ready-made whip for riding. You can let the lash dangle down the
horse's side while hacking, or (as foxhunters do) coil it in two loops with the
lash end dangling and hold coils/ whip your hand along with your
rein. Takes a bit of getting used to... but once you do it will be
unnatural NOT to have that whip in your hand while riding.
:-)
I would never
suggest getting a woman's or child's whip -- they are too flyweight to do
anything other than make so-so cracks and are designed for the walking length
lashes. They really only are for show, do not give the rider the support
for cracking the long staff lashes, and break or fracture if not
handled with care. A man's whip is best -- it is designed to be solid and
thick enough to really support a long lash into creating a hard,
very loud crack as the lash is flicked then snapped at
the speed of sound.
I would also
never use a slingshot. That requires two hands to operate, and I want one
hand on the rein at all times when dealing with a nasty dog coming at
me.
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