What Size Stock Whip Do I Need?

Stock whips comes in a range of sizes, and it can be confusing to know what size to go for when you are just starting out. The first step is for you to determine is; What are you going to use the whip for? Whether you use the whip on foot or in saddle makes a difference, and if you are experienced or a beginners or short or tall. Furthermore you also need to consider its use - will you be practicing tricks or mustering cattle. As a general rule, the following sizes fits the following stock whip purposes:

 4 FOOT STOCK WHIP

- Easier to use, therefore suitable for beginners

- Suitable if you need it when on foot

- The preferred length for kids due to it being shorter

- Performs whips/tricks faster and requires less strength/power

5 FOOT STOCK WHIP

 - Suitable for close stockyard work and confined spaces

- Suitable for most women and children due to its length

- suitable for when you are on foot, and for most cracking tricks

6 FOOT STOCK WHIP

 - Suitable for horseback riding work or in the paddock.

- The Australian stock whip competition standard

- Popular for trick work and flowing routines

7 FOOT STOCK WHIP

- This was the length used for the whip in The Man from Snowy River

- Most popular whip length for when working from horseback 

- Horseback work needs longer lengths to avoid cracking the whip too close to the horse

8 FOOT STOCK WHIP (and up)

- The longer the whip, the more limited uses

- Longer whips can usually only be used for 2-3 different cracks

- Suitable when working on horseback