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{{short description|Short type of whip without a lash, used in horseback riding}} A crop, sometimes called a riding crop or hunting crop, is a short type of whip without a lash, used in horse riding, part of the family of tools known as Riding aids.

Types and uses

A modern crop usually consists of a long shaft of fiberglass or cane which is covered in leather, fabric, or similar material. The rod of a crop thickens at one end to form a handle, and terminates in a thin, flexible tress such as wound cord or a leather tongue, known as a keeper. The thin end is intended to make contact with the horse, whilst the keeper prevents the horse’s skin from being marked. The handle may have a loop of leather to help secure the grip or a “mushroom” on the end to prevent it from slipping through the rider’s hand.The length of a crop is designed to allow enough leverage for it to be accelerated rapidly with a controlled flick of the wrist, without causing the rider balancing problems. Thus, a true crop is relatively short.The term “whip” is a more common term that includes both riding crops as well as longer types of horse whips used for both riding and ground work. A whip is a little slower than a crop, mostly due to having slightly greater length and flexibility.

In equestrianism

Crops are principally designed to back up the natural aids (leg, seat and voice) of a rider.“Equine Training - Riding Aids Overview” Equestrian Outreach, 2003 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229061324www.equestrianoutreach.com/Equestrian-Outreach-Riding%20Aids-Page.html |date=2012-12-29 }}The crop should not be used as punishment, where the animal fails to perform a wanted behaviour and as such is hit. Positive Punishment (+P) is the term used for the adding of an unpleasant stimulus for the performance or non performance of a behaviour. Not only has it been shown to be unsuccessful in training the horse, it also has serious implications for animal welfare, and the development of learned helplessness.[Andrew McLean Equitation Science p. 96]

• Dressage whip is a true whip, longer than a crop, (up to {{convert|43|in|cm|abbr=in|disp=or|order=flip}}, including lash or popper) for horse training, allowing a rider to touch the mount’s side while keeping both hands on the reins.
• Hunting whips are not for use on the horse, but have a “hook” at the end to use in opening and shutting gates without dismounting, as well as a long leather thong to keep the hounds from coming near the horse’s legs, and possibly getting kicked.

Other uses

Weapon

Crops can be carried as a weapon. In the Sherlock Holmes series of novels and short stories, Holmes is occasionally said to carry one as his favourite weapon (e.g., “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons“). Specifically, it is a loaded hunting crop. Such crops were sold at one time. Loading refers to the practice of filling the shaft and head with a heavy metal (e.g., steel, lead) to provide some heft.WEB,www.bartitsu.org/index.php/tag/loaded-hunting-crop/, loaded hunting crop, 2013-05-27,www.bartitsu.org/index.php/tag/loaded-hunting-crop/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180222044932www.bartitsu.org/index.php/tag/loaded-hunting-crop/,">web.archive.org/web/20180222044932www.bartitsu.org/index.php/tag/loaded-hunting-crop/, 2018-02-22, dead,

BDSM

Crops are sometimes used in BDSM as part of impact play. Art deco sculptor Bruno Zach produced perhaps his best known sculpture—called “The Riding Crop” (c. 1925)—which features a scantily clad dominatrix wielding a crop.WEB, Bruno Zach’s ‘Riding Crop Girl’ hits World Record $150,602 at Bonhams art auction,www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/bruno-zachs-riding-crop-girl-hits-world-record-150-602-at-bonhams-art-auction, dead,web.archive.org/web/20210308201044/https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/bruno-zachs-riding-crop-girl-hits-world-record-150-602-at-bonhams-art-auction, 8 March 2021, justcollecting.com, 27 June 2015,

See also

• Quirt
• Whip

References

{{reflist}}{{Horse equipment|state=collapsed}}