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Meaning & use

riding crop

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˈraɪdɪŋ krɒp/
US/ˈraɪdɪŋ krɑːp/

Meaning

  1. nouncountable

    A short stiff rod with a small loop or flap at the end, carried by a rider to give a horse light signals.

    Grammar: Often used with an or the: carry a riding crop.

    Patterns

    • carry a riding crop
    • tap with a riding crop

    The jockey held her riding crop low and used it only once near the finish.

    She tucked the riding crop under her arm while she adjusted the saddle.

    Judges at the show expected every rider to carry a riding crop of regulation length.

Word forms

pluralriding crops

Common combinations

carry a riding crop
Most riders in the show carry a riding crop.
tap with a riding crop
He tapped the horse's shoulder with a riding crop.
leather riding crop
She bought a leather riding crop with a braided handle.
tuck a riding crop
He tucked a riding crop into his boot.
wave a riding crop
The instructor waved a riding crop to point at the fence.

Synonyms and how they differ

crop
Crop is the short form and means the same thing in horse-riding talk.
whip
A whip is usually longer and flexible, while a riding crop is short and stiff.
switch
A switch is a thin flexible stick and is more general, not a piece of riding equipment.

Word family

crop noun
short for riding crop, also a plant grown for food
rider noun
a person who rides a horse
riding noun
the activity of sitting on and controlling a horse

Commonly confused: riding crop or whip?

riding crop vs whip

A whip has a long flexible lash; a riding crop is short, stiff and mainly used as a gentle aid.

Practice

Which item would a rider most likely hold to give a horse a light signal?

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