Which my DH gifted me. Lovely, has a stag end and a moderate thong. I am not a whip and know better than to use it around/on a hound. Is carrying it inappropriate? Should I remove the thong? The horse I just purchased was whipped off, so no problem there. Please advise.
It is not consistent from hunt to hunt.
Some hunts like everybody to carry one for all the things you can do other than wave it at hounds.
If you are going to carry a hunt whip though, it should have the thong attached.
You should ask your Master or Secretary what is appropriate for your club. If you are permitted to carry one - you should have the thong attached.
Some hunts may prefer only certain members - or members with colors - to carry a whip. Not out of snobbishness- but to help keep its accidental use to a minimum. Long time members/members with colors are supposed to know when or if to use it - or can be expected to render assistance to the huntsman or staff if needed.
But - it depends on the hunt. If you are permitted to carry it - carry it with the stag end down and the lash looped in your hand. You don’t want the stag end sticking up in your face while riding (for obvious reasons)
Some hunts are funny about subscribers/guests/novices/ carrying wire cutters - again because of the risk of using them inappropriately (cutting through wire as a shortcut and letting livestock out) So it’s just best to ask the Master or Secretary about carrying appointments.
Is the whip new or used? Antique whips are just lovely.
It’s a lovely new whip
I actually have a very old one (which fits my hand better) hanging in the tack room, but the thong is frayed at the end, and I’m not sure where to send it to have it “fixed”.
I worked at Rocky Fork Headley Hunt decades ago and one of my jobs was roading hounds with the Huntsman. He taught me how to hold it and what to do with it.
In spite of being new, this one pops pretty darn good.
2ndyrgal, do you mean the popper end of the thong is frayed, or are some of the plaits broken in places in the thong?
In either case, you don’t ‘fix’ them, you get a new thong. If you’re not using it to whip, then one of the cowhide thongs that Horse Country sells, in a shorter length would be just the thing. Although the kangaroo thongs are MUCH more durable, they are rather heavy and could over power an antique delicate whip handle. The English thongs are very affordable.
www.horsecountrycarrot.com/index.cfm?action=store&sub=product&prod=599&cat=195
The plaits are unraveled at the end.
So, I need a new thong.
I believe that’s how I’ll start the conversation with my DH.
“Honey, I need a new thong… one it tatty, one is too big, leather is really the best material”.
And it will come discreetly wrapped in brown paper.
The best thongs
The best Thongs come from Ad Beekham in the Netherlands. You can get a nice kangaroom one for about the same price you’d pay for a cow leather one in the US.
You can just send him an email inquiry. He takes paypal.
His name is Ad Beekman
You could always get it repaired for less; http://www.threespringstackrepair.com/whip%20repairs.htm
http://www.midwestwhips.com/Repairs.html
http://whips.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/hunt-whip-repair/
So many uses for a hunting whip…
Stringing up wayward horses and hounds
Picking things up off the ground–that hook is awesome
Using it to extend your reins so your horse can lean way down to drink
Dangling the lash as hounds pass you on a tight road
Desensitizing your horse (not in the hunt field!)
Looped through the reins of a ponied horse
Pushing down a strand of wire in order to cross safely
Scaring off vicious dogs or angry moose on the hack home
Do ask before carrying one, but such a great tool. And don’t believe you’ll ever find it again if you drop it on a run.
Flagstaff Foxhunter
“Scaring off vicious dogs or angry moose on the hack home”
Angry Moose! Wow:eek:
Maybe not a moose…
Totally fabricated the moose thing, but I believe it would work. We did recently have some loose ranch horses start to converge on our trailers. A few cracks sent them scurrying.
