Dressage Whips

A dressage whip is an important and sensitive aid in modern dressage and training. When used correctly, it helps the rider to reinforce signals and achieve the desired effect - without it being about punishment, but about precision, learning and understanding between rider and horse.

At Unamari you'll find several varieties of high-quality dressage whips, including from the popular brand Equipage. Whether you're riding a pony or large horse, heading to competitions or in daily training, the right whip with a good grip, good balance and adapted difficulty level is essential to get the most out of your riding gear.

What is a dressage whip?

A dressage whip is a slim and flexible tool used by dressage riders to give the horse light and precise signals. The whip is typically longer than regular riding whips, so it reaches from the rider's hand down to the rider's boot, making it possible to touch the horse without changing the position of the hand. This ensures a stable contact to the reins and a correct impact.

The purpose of the dressage whip is not to punish the horse, but to reinforce your signals and support the help you already give with seat, shoulder and leg.

The dressage whip works best when used with good grip, control and only when most needed. It can be particularly effective in learning, where the horse needs to learn to understand new signals or respond more accurately to those the rider is already using. The sound or light touch of the whip can help the horse understand what you are asking it to do.

Dressage whips come in many varieties and materials - from classic models with leather handles and narrow shafts to modern fiberglass and carbon fiber versions with ergonomic handles. At Unamari you'll find a wide selection so you can easily choose the right whip for you and your horse.

The role of the dressage whip: Encouraging the horse

The primary function of a dressage whip is to act as a finely tuned aid to encourage the horse to respond to the rider's signals with precision and attention.

When you're riding and your leg or seat aids aren't creating the desired effect, a light touch of the whip on the back or just behind the shoulder can help get the horse to respond - often just by the sound or feel of a light impulse.

The goal is to create an understanding in the horse so it knows what the rider wants. Used correctly, the whip quickly becomes a natural part of the horse's training, and you can achieve smoother transitions, better propulsion and greater precision in your exercises.

At Unamari you'll find dressage whips in several lengths and materials, so you can choose the one that matches your needs - whether you ride pony or horse, beginner or advanced.

Using a dressage whip in training and at competitions

A dressage whip is a great tool for all dressage riders, but it's important to know all the rules when competing in competitions. Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF) rules for whip use:

Whip length at competitions:

• Ponies: Max. 100 cm (incl. knot and snaffle)
• Horses: Max. 120 cm (incl. knob and snaffle)

Use of whip in relation to difficulty:

• Difficulty 0:
  - You may ride with either whip or spurs - not both at the same time
• Difficulty 7 and 8:
  - You are allowed to ride with both whip and spurs

On the warm-up course you are always allowed to ride with a whip - regardless of difficulty level - as long as it is not used from the ground.

Buy dressage whips in the right length

An important feature of a dressage whip is its length. It must be long enough for the rider to easily reach the horse behind the rider's boot without having to move the hand from its natural position on the rein. It's this length that makes the dressage whip particularly effective as an aid in dressage, where discretion and precision are crucial.

When the whip is the right length, you can easily give the horse a light impulse to encourage more activity, balance or responsiveness - without disturbing the rest of the riding. Whips that are too short require you to either use your arm unnaturally or change your grip, which can send the wrong signals to the horse and create imbalance.

On this page you'll find dressage whips in several different lengths, so you can find the length that suits your riding best.

High quality for better precision

When it comes to dressage whips, high quality plays a key role in function, durability and comfort. A whip made of good materials gives you as a rider a more precise and stable experience in the hand - and thus also better signals to the horse. At Unamari, we set high standards for our selection and only offer riding equipment in materials and designs we can vouch for ourselves.

We know that the right equipment makes a difference. That's why at Unamari we not only have a large selection of dressage whips in several variants but also matching dressage pads that support your training and give both you and your horse the best conditions. The combination of a well-functioning whip and a good and stable pad can help ensure that your desired signals come through clearly - and that the horse can react safely and correctly.

Find your next dressage whip at Unamari

At Unamari you will find a carefully selected range of dressage whips in several variants to suit both beginners and experienced riders. We are proud to own and develop the popular brand Equipage, which you will find on this site. This means that we design and produce the dressage whips you see on the webshop ourselves - always with a focus on high quality, functionality and an elegant look.

With more than 20 years of experience in developing riding equipment and riding clothes, we know what works in practice. Each whip is created with an understanding of the rider's needs, the horse's reaction and the demands that daily training, riding and competitions place on the equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a dressage whip be?

A dressage whip should typically be between 90 and 120 cm long so the rider can reach the horse behind the rider's boot without moving the hand from the rein. The right length depends on the height of the rider and the size of the horse.

How to use a whip?

A whip is used to reinforce the rider's signals, not as punishment. It is used with light touches or small impulses on the horse's side or hindquarters to encourage drive, reaction or precision in exercises.

Why whip a horse?

You don't whip a horse in the traditional sense, but use the whip as an aid to support or clarify the rider's signals. The goal is to achieve a desired action such as getting the horse to move forward or react more clearly.

Is it illegal to whip a horse?

Yes, it is illegal to hit a horse or use the whip as punishment. According to Danish law and animal welfare, a whip may only be used as a mild signaling tool in training and riding - never for punishment.