Whip Is an Extension of the Arm When Controlling and Training Horses

In the past two weeks I hope that I've informed readers of the basic function of traditional riding attire. Part and parcel to this are a rider's "accessories," a set of spurs and a riding crop or a bat. Sometimes these items bring to mind a sense of cruelty in their application to horses. Certainly, their misuse has been the case many times, and for many years. Yet, used the correct way, and with circumspect logic, the spur and the whip are actually an extension of the leg and the arm when it comes to controlling and training horses. The idea of the whip extends to keeping the horse in line. We even see that idea taken on in politics by the use of the term "whip." The term "crop" is more specific to show jumping, and hunt seat. A bat usually refers to that short stick jockeys use, but in this column, "whip" is my generic term for use with carriages.

Perhaps the most common sights on Mackinac Island when it comes to horses are the standard horse-drawn taxis, tour buggies, and drays people see when they first arrive off the ferry dock, or are picked up at the airport. Every one of these vehicles, as well as rental and private carriages, carries a space on their dash for a horsewhip.

Arrowhead Carriages employee Raymond Miller shows off a horsewhip Monday, May 28. Horsewhips are aids used for driving or handling horses.

The buggy whip is a necessary part of driving a horse. Whips are long, stick-like, flexible devices. There is a small bit of leather or cord at the end called the "tail" or the "popper." Sometimes the whip is made of single-strand or plaited material, usually leather. The handle of the whip is stiff and fits into a small holder next to the driver.

Whips on carriages are used to give commands to the horses. These are by touch, and the idea is that they're a "wakeup" signal to the animal, not meant to cause pain but, of course, they can and do if improperly used. The end tail of the driving whip is also called a lash, and most of these don't have the popper at the end of them; an exception is a long whip used to ground drive a horse in circles or on the straight.

Most people these days have never really considered that crafting buggy whips was once a thriving industry in the United States. Whip making is one business that has almost disappeared. In economic and marketing classes, the demise of the whip industry following the rise of the automobile has been cited, noting that need has almost disappeared.

One small town that has a demand for the product is Mackinac Island.

Westfield, Massachusetts, is still manufacturing buggy whips, and is known around the world as "Whip City." Today Westfield is a community of more than 40,000 people with a sense of pride. It was established in 1669. It is home to the only remaining whip manufacturer in the United States, Westfield Whip. The building is near the river, at 360 Elm Street, and is now on the National Historic Register. The town was the capitol of whip making in 1865, with 30 active companies based there. It has been estimated that 95% of America's market was located in and around the environs of Westfield. These companies peaked in 1893, when 80% of the residents of Westfield worked in the trade.

By World War II, only two whip makers were left. The remaining Westfield Whip actually was begun in 1946 as a second career by the town's former mayor. His daughter and her partner run the company now, making jockey whips, riding crops, English hunting whips, and buggy whips. Many of these whips have found their way to Mackinac Island. The company still uses a plaiting machine that braids the threads around a wooden core. This machine dates from the 1860s, and is much like the tire machine still used by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.

Whips were traditionally made by wrapping buckskin leather around a shaped wooden handle. The most common wood used was hickory. Whips often are made with a strong, natural thread. The Westfield Whip Company closely guards its exact manufacturing process. A good whip will last for decades, as long as it's stored properly in a rack or a holder, and is not allowed to remain wet. Not far from the city, in the Berkshires, is a museum devoted to the harness and whip manufacturing industry of the New England areas.

Westfield's other "turn-ofthe century" contribution is that it was the home of the Columbia Bicycle headquarters.

If you want to see a bit of that town in use, in this town, remember to take a look at the buggy whip the driver is holding or resting in its holder in the carriage.

Candice Dunnigan is an active member of the American Equestrian Association, the Waterloo Hunt, and the Mackinac Horsemen's Association. Seasonally she resides at Easterly Cottage.