So any ways, I get tangled up in my over under whip on the run home from 3rd. Someone suggested I use spurs. Would it be better to get bumper spurs or just wrap the ones I have? He's a really great horse, but needs to open up some. I don't mind wearing spurs just riding, where I can use a rowel as intended, but am uncomfortable using them with a rowel in that occasion. Opinions on using them during a run or tips on not getting tangled in an over under? I've also considered a quirt or a crop, too, if that is more effective than an over under. 

You can wrap the rowels in vet wrap..Done this a few times and worked really well, but I always liked my bumper spurs.. 

In what way are you getting "tangled" in your over n under?  Is it floppy?  I prefer a stiff rope style over n under as they don't get hung up under your leg / hard to find.

I use a thicker/stiffer style under and over too, but I have also used a shorter quirt in the past, also a similar material. My mare will not tolerate me urging her on with my legs if I have spurs on, she will actually slow down. 

Just curious? Is he super sensitive to cues or no? Honestly, the best thing I learned, am still learning, to do on mine (she IS super sensitive and less is more on her) is to let go of the horn on the way home from the 3rd and really reach up her neck with both hands....the more she feels me pushing the reins up, the faster she runs home. If she needs a little reminder to get moving I will occasionally pat her neck a couple of times. I still keep the under and over on the saddle but I honestly think it's been a good year since I have touched the thing. She responds so well to me pulling myself up and over her coming home and getting my hands forward, I kind of forget about the whip. 

I have a leather one and a paracord one, the paracord is too floppy. The leather one seems okay, but it gest under or wrapped around my leg even if I rubberband it to a belt loop. 

This horse is super sensitive, and I kick but am by no means star-fishing kicking him...bumping him from the knees down. For the most part I am and try to be pretty quiet This past weekend when I couldn't get my over under, I patted him on the neck. This horse breezes nicely, and responds to the over under well when breezing, just needs to learn to run a little more. He's only had 12 competitions and he's climbing in the D's nicely, but we need about .5 more before we are truly 1D. He has it, just figuring out how to ask for it during a competition. 

I feel you. My mare needs something just to push a little bit. I love my little english nubs, they are a pain in the a**to get on and off but once you get then on and tight, they will not move at all.

Just my opinion, spurs should be used to aid in lateral movement, not to try to make a horse go faster. 

If you get tangled up in an over an under, you might try a shorter one or you might try a wrist quirt.

Wrist quirt is where I'll probably go next...a friend suggested the spurs as that is what her daughter does, so I thought I'd ask. Thanks!

I agree!  I use spurs to tell one WHERE to go, not how fast to go.

Try a piggin' string as an over and under.  They are stiff enough they are easy to grab.  If you have any calf roper friends you can probably get a worn out one for free.

ok I am drawing a Friday morning blank on the proper words for the material..... But get your self an over and under made from the heavy rope material. Like a ropers rope. Those are stiff enough to find when you need them. Or a wrist quirt. Those are always right there. Although they can make you sit back a bit when using so you have to think a bit with those.

I agree with this. I generally used a dressage crop and just tapped home (i cant do the quirt) and over & under is okay for me depending on how i rig it to my horn. Sits different on horn vs pommel.

I have always preferred a dressage whip. I feel like I have so much more control over it than anything limp.

Just make sure that if you go hand held (quirt or crop) that it's long enough you can reach behind you without getting out of body position. I see a lot of riders leaned back and whipping and just think that's so counterproductive and definitely sending mixed signals to the horse.

If he’s progressing that well - I would probably hold off on too much pressure to run and let him build confidence (especially if he’s super sensitive) and see if the speed comes on it’s own.

sometimes we apply too much pressure in the name of fast and it’s counter productive...maybe you got tangled up for a reason ;-)

Do you rubber band the dressage whip to your hand?

And I have been trying to let him pick it up on his own. It feels like right now we are a little bit stuck, but the more races I go to the better I think he'll do. I did try the quirt over the weekend and gave him a couple of slaps with it on the way home, but not sure if it made that big of a difference. We'll work on some breezing and a couple of things I need to fix over the week and see how he does this coming weekend. :)

Are you laying the over & under over your leg and wrapping it around the back of the saddle? We do that right before heading in the alley and it keeps the over & under in a spot where you can reach down and immediately find it. My husband is even able to find it without banding it to his belt when he runs my gray horse. He is very new to spanking one on the homestretch but in two runs with the whip looped this way, he's been able to reach down blindly and find it both times.

Just loop it around your hips & the saddle like it's a seat belt and it should stay through most of the run.