A crop, sometimes called a riding crop or hunting crop, is a type of whip used in horseback riding.
A crop usually consist of a long rod of fibreglass or cane or 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. The thin end is intended to make contact with the horse. The handle may have a loop of leather to help secure the grip.
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.
Crops are used to back up the natural aids (leg, seat and voice) aids of a rider. 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 strip to keep the hounds from coming near the horse's legs, and possibly getting kicked.
Riding crop is also widely seen as the traditional symbol of dominance in BDSM activities.
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