Many people choose to hold a lunging whip when they are lunging a horse. When used correctly, it is a supporting aid to your voice and body language.Think of the lunging whip as an extension of your arm. You will be walking in small circles with your body slightly behind the horse, so they are moving forward away from you.If you ask the horse to increase the pace or youd like more engagement of the hindleg and theyre 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 isnt doing as you have asked.How to use a lunging whipThe lunge rein will always be in the hand that is aligned with your horses head, while the lunging whip goes in your other hand, which is probably holding excess lunge rein too.On the left reinIf 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.On the right reinWhen lunging 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 is always behind the horse and never in front.Shop for a lunging whipA good lunging whip needs to be sturdy yet lightweight, so that its comfortable and easy to hold. If youre tight on storage space or need to transport it in a car regularly, there are telescopic and foldable designs to save on space.Woof Wear Telescopic Lunge WhipThis lunge whip has an ergonomically designed handle to enable a comfortable and secure grip. The whip is nicely balanced so that you can focus on your horse.It has a flexible fibreglass shaft which is housed within a semi-rigid fibreglass outer. With one quick pull, the whip is extended and ready for use.Colour: BlackLength: 95cm when collapsed/180cm when fully extendedRRP 40Buying in the UK? Purchase hereShires Lunging WhipThis thread-stem whip has a rubber grip handle and comes in a wide range of colours.Colours:Black, bright blue, raspberry, red, orange, greenLength: 160cmRRP 9.99 (US$14.99)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereCounty Lunge WhipThis 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 blueLength: 200cmRRP 22 Buying in the UK? Purchase hereShips internationallyDublin Lunging WhipThis 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, redLength: 160cmRRP 13.25 (US$19.95)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereHorze Two-Part Lunging WhipThis 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 200cmRRP 22.99 (US$19.99)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereTelescopic Lunge WhipThis innovative telescopic whip is retractable for easy storage and transportation.Colour: BlackLength: 200cm (95cm when retracted)RRP 32.48 (US$43)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereHorze Tunis Carbon Lunging WhipThis super-light whip is made of carbon. It is telescopic and folds down to a smaller size.Colour:Black, blue.Length: 180cmBuying in the UK? RRP 32.99 Purchase hereBuying in the USA? RRP $49.99Purchase hereRelated contentLong reining: technique explained plus exercises to tryLunging exercises to help a horse work correctly6 things you need to know about horse communicationFun pole exercises that make clever, confident horsesThe post How to use a lunging whip correctly, plus seven on the market appeared first on Your Horse.