I've never seen a dressage whip with a handle, and have heard some people rubber band it to their hand? The over under is just not working for me, and thinking about trying a dressage whip. 

I used to until I hit myself with it to see how much it would hurt- it hurt like a #%€£¥, and that wasn’t with the usual force. Never used it again. If I feel the need for a quirt/whip I use the ones with the leather popper on it. Those are much less painful. 

Good to know! The hand quirt isn't my thing..I lean back too much trying to use it.

Did you rubber band the dressage whip to your hand or just hold it?

Held it or ran it under my saddle with the handle sticking out. 

I couldn’t do well with the hand quiets either. I used a regular whip with a large folded piece of leather on the end. It’s sound (pop) was loud and it was much less painful, in fact it acted more like a cue to go faster rather than a hard sting. 

I use a dressage whip - I find thicker ones where the popper is replaceable, not built in - the thinner ones with the popper built in are too “stingy” for my taste.

the one I have right now has a hand loop, but I’ve used rubber bands for other ones yes.

I was watching a round of the NFR from back in the 80's. One of the ladies used what looked like a pigging string/ lariet that was looped over her left shoulder - it ran across her chest/back - and was snugged up under her right breast area. (Like I've seen ropers do after a run)  It looked like it was super easy to grab and use. I may give it a try.

I've rode with a dressage whip before, but I prefer that nothing is in my hands but the reins.

That would have been Darlene Kasper, with the Piggin String/Whip.

I do. I also spent several years riding dressage so I am not using it with the force most would an over & under or a quirt so it is not as stingy as what it seems some have experienced. I do not loop mine over my have. I am always afried I will get the loop caught on a horn. And honestly once they are so far along I really dont end up using it. I think you might do a little better with a hunter bat/crop it would be less weldy and shorter so you would be less likely to get it caught on anything. Most come with the loop. Look at Dover Saddlery or the Horse .com I believe both carry them.

Thank you! I also spent years riding dressage. You just hold yours in your hand, no rubber banding it? I don't want to use a shorter one, as it makes me lean back way to much. 

I have ran with dressage whips. I do rubber band them to my right hand. I also did some mods to the popper end. I actually took duct tape and made a wide popper. So it didn't hurt near as much as the rope popper. I used scissors to cut it to look like the wide bat popper.