CUTTING WHIPS. 221 



prevent the whip slipping out of the hand of the rider, and 

 which on that account is particularly well suited for race 

 riding. A cutting whip should of course be well balanced, 

 so that it may be light in the hand. Almost all good 

 horsemen who use a cutting whip, like it to be fairly stiff. 

 This is a practical point that I must leave to the judgment 

 of the rider ; as I cannot give any exact directions on the 

 subject. 



A crook-handled cutting whip is a cutting whip with a 

 handle like that of a hunting crop. Although at first glance 



Fig. 192. Shortening the reins before using 

 the whip with the right hand. 



it appears from a riding point of view to combine the 

 advantages of both kinds of whips, its shaft as a rule is too 

 pliable to allow it to be very efficient in opening gates. 



The presence of a cutting whip with hounds is generally 

 viewed with disapproval ; because it savours too much of 

 horse-breaking and rough riding. The practice of these arts 

 is certainly out of place in the hunting field, as it is apt to 

 cause danger and inconvenience to others. 



A cutting whip ought always to be carried by the rider 

 with the lash down; for if the point of the whip be kept 



