Pain in the you know what!

When I ride with a crop/bat I have the worst time holding it. It always hits my leg and I can never figure out how to hang onto it without it bugging the @$#% out of me! OR my hand will turn in a funny way to get it out of the way (which also bugs me). Help?

You hold it just like it's a lump in the rein. Pretend it's not there and hold your reins the normal, correct way. Then just slip it between the rein and your hand, not changing anything about the way your holding it. It should point directly down, parallel to your horses front legs.