A lunging whip is a useful piece of kit to use when you are lunging a horse. When it is held and used correctly, it is a supporting aid to your voice and body language.
A good lunging whip needs to be sturdy yet lightweight, so that it’s comfortable and easy to hold. If you’re tight on storage space or need to transport it in a car regularly, there are telescopic and foldable designs to save on space. We’ve rounded up a selection of lunging whips currently on the market below.
How to hold a lunging whip
Your positioning and how you hold a whip is key. The lunge rein will always be in the hand that is aligned with your horse’s head, while the whip goes in your other hand — which is probably holding excess lunge rein too.
The left rein
If you are lunging your horse on the left rein (this means the direction of their circle is going to your left), the lunge rein will be in your left hand and the lunging whip (plus excess lunge rein) will be in your right hand.
The right rein
When lunging a horse on the right rein (so now the direction of the circle is to your right), the lunge rein will be in your right hand with the whip in your left hand.
When you are holding the whip correctly like this, it means it is always behind the horse and never in front.
How to use a lunging whip
As you lunge, you will be walking in small circles with your body slightly behind the horse, so they are moving forward away from you. Think of the whip as an extension of your arm. If you ask the horse to increase the pace or you’d like more engagement of the hindleg and they’re not responding to your voice prompts alone, back it up by lifting the whip.
Some horses may need to see the whip ‘flick’ to be motivated by it. Gentle use of the whip as an aid are key: it must never be used to hit a horse to make them go forward, or to punish a horse who isn’t doing as you have asked.
Shop for a lunging whip
Shires Lunging Whip
This thread-stem whip has a rubber grip handle and comes in a wide range of colours.
Colours: Black, bright blue, raspberry, red, orange, green
Length: 160cm
Buying in the UK? RRP £9.99 Purchase here
Buying in the USA? RRP $14.99 Purchase here
County Lunge Whip
This durable and flexible whip is suitable for everyday training. It has an easy-grip handle, sturdy braided shaft and thong design.
Colours: Black, burgundy, navy, pink, purple, royal blue
Length: 200cm
Buying in the UK? RRP £22 Purchase here
Ships internationally
Dublin Lunging Whip
This whip has a rubber textured grip handle and comes in a variety of colours. The Dublin Brights Lunge Whip is also available in more colours, including hot pink, orange, lime and yellow.
Colours: Black, blue, purple, red Length: 160cm
Buying in the UK? RRP £13.25 Purchase here
Buying in the USA? RRP $22.50 Purchase here
Horze Two-Part Lunging Whip
This whip divides into two parts for easy storage and transport. It has a rubber handle and a long nylon lash.
Colour: Black. Length: 180cm or 200cm
Buying in the UK? RRP £12.99 Purchase here
Buying in the USA? RRP $19.99 Purchase here
Telescopic Lunge Whip
This innovative telescopic whip is retractable for easy storage and transportation.
Colour: Black
Length: 200cm (95cm when retracted)
Buying in the UK or Europe? RRP £32.48 Purchase here
Buying in the USA? RRP $43 Purchase here
SHOWMASTER Telescopic Lunge Whip Slim
This light lunge whip has a comfortable grip and handle decorated with glittering stones. The whip folds into three parts for easy storage and has a 215cm-long dirt-repellent silicone lash making it easy to keep clean.
Colours: Black, pink, turquoise
Length: 217cm (76cm when retracted)
Buying in the UK? RRP £36.90 Purchase here
Ships in Europe
Horze Tunis Carbon Lunging Whip
This super-light whip is made of carbon. It is telescopic and folds down to a smaller size.
Colour: Black, blue. Length: 180cm
Buying in the UK? RRP £29.99 Purchase here
Buying in the USA? RRP $49.99 Purchase here
