Could someone explain please?

Question

What is a bat? (no, not a cricket bat ) I believe it to be something to do with Western riding? possibly similar to spurs?

Answer 1

A "bat" is a crop, but it's used for jumping and is shorter and thicker than a crop.

CROP: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...

JUMPING BAT:

http://www.rods.com/eccStoreImages/produ...

Answer 2

A bat is a whip with a larger leather piece at the end.

-Thats what my friend says.

But when I rode Western at camp, the instructor called a regular crop/whip a bat as well.

Answer 3

It's just a wider crop. It's used for english though.

Here's a pic: http://www.horse.com/itm_img/WQK31.jpg

Answer 4

I know in Jumping, you have a crop which is a longer one, more flexible one, and than you have the 'bat' which refers to a smaller one that we use.

But I think Zippo is on the money.

Answer 5

This is a bat...

Answer 6

I think what you're referring to is basically very similar to a crop. I think it's a bit longer and has a wider leather flap at the end. Could be wrong though, I don't use either one.

Answer 7

Are you talking about a leather bat?

I use these at barrel races, its basically a crop. (well i think so, but others may disagree)

http://www.horsetackco.com/images/doggin...

the doggin' bat

^^ i think this is what your refering to?

Its just a big hunk of leather, VERY useful at barrel races etc. its not inhumane either, i think its basically like a english crop. (imo)

Answer 8

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's just another name for a crop, the little whips they use actually generally in English, not Western.

Answer 9

a bat is a type of whip normally used to describe a barrel racing or pole bending whip. no further history that i know of but can be  used in other diciplines

Answer 10

A bat is a short type of riding crop. Most often, it is slightly wider and heavier than a traditional crop. They are commonly used in speed events....

Hope I helped..

Answer 11

A "bat" is a wider, flat, leather version of a crop.  It's designed to make more noise than anything else when it's used on a horse.  The two flaps on the bottom "smack" together making a rather loud popping sound, which is meant to get the horse going faster, without really causing any pain.

I was trying to find you a link to a real "bat" but all I'm finding are crops with long, wide poppers...:(  

Well anyway, that's what a "bat" is (My description, I mean.) and now you know what one is too.