Whips & Sockets

Necessary for good carriage driving!

Equestrian Driving Whips

SHIPPING TUBE INCLUDED IN PRICE OF WHIPS!

No matter what type of horse driving you do, we at IVC Carriage are the experts who can help you select the best one for your needs. We offer whips in a variety of styles that are perfect for every occasion and turnout. We work with only the best brands, so you can be confident in each purchase you make. For information on choosing the right equestrian driving whip, call us today at (608) 345-2986 to speak to Chad or Myrna.  Need help selecting a horse driving whip?  See our FAQ section below!

We provide a few articles on selecting a whip, measuring a whip, and caring for your driving whip on our Educational Articles page that can also help you.

Fleck Whips

Fleck Whips

Ledó Whips

Ledó Whips

MCR Whips

MCR Whips

Best Balanced Whips
Balance Horse Driving Whip | IVC Carriage

Best Balanced Whips

Whip Sockets & Storage
Carriage Buggy Whip Socket Holder | IVC Carriage

Whip Sockets & Storage

Selecting a Whip from IVC Carriage

Many people like to try driving whips in person to get a good feel for them, and make the best selection for their requirements. In person, I ask the customer the following questions to help them choose the best whip for their needs. If you can’t be here in person, here is a good reference for you to make a good choice.

What size horse are you driving?

The larger the horse, the longer the whip. This usually means that the longer whips are also heavier than mini whips, thus we need to choose a whip that is lighter while being longer. For really big horses, we suggest the Ledo Telescoping whip, the Ledo Lightened with the 6” lash, or the MCR whips. Most of our mini whips have about the same balance.

How much leg room do you have in your carriage?

We ask this question to determine if you are closer to your horse, or if you have a lot of leg room that would require a longer whip. You want the whip to be able to reach the shoulder of the horse, except in some CDE marathons where it is required that you carry a whip, but it doesn’t have to reach the shoulder.

Do you want a short lash?

The Ledo Lightened whip with the 6” lash is the choice of professional drivers who like a short lash.

Do you want a long lash?

The Ledo Lightened whip with the 24” lash is a great whip with a longer lash that doesn’t get tangled on itself. The MCR whips are also available in longer lashes, but we don’t stock many. We stock more MCR whips in 12” or 18” lashes.

Is lightweight really important?

The Ledo Telescoping whips are made from carbon which is extremely lightweight. The MCR whips are very lightweight with the exception of the longer whips which are counterbalanced to be better balanced in your hand. They are physically heavier, but with the best balance.

Is sturdiness really important?

The Ledo Lightened whips have good balance, but are sturdier than some of the other whips. The Ledo Marathon whips are sturdier than the Ledo Lightened, but are just slightly less balanced and a little heavier.

Do you have any medical hand issues?

We highly recommend the MCR whips for those who have medical hand issues. The thicker grips make them easier to hold. They are also the best balanced of our offerings.

Is easy storage important?

The Ledo Two-Part whips or the Ledo Telescoping whips are perfect for storing in smaller places or transporting it.

Do you have problems fitting a whip with a wider handle in your whip socket?

All of the Ledo whips have narrower whip handles. The MCR Presentation whips also have narrower handles.

Are you driving a miniature horse?

About all the mini whips we offer are balanced similarly because of their length. For minis 34” and under, you probably need about a 48” whip. For those around 38”, you probably need a 54” whip.

Are you using the whip for training your horse?

The Ledo Two-Part whips are great for training. They are sturdy enough and lightweight to hold every day.

Are you using the whip for recreational driving?

The Ledo Lightened whips are decently balanced at a reasonable price.

Are you using the whip for a CDE marathon or obstacles?

The Ledo Marathon whip is specifically made for CDE marathon. It is a shorter whip that is black so as not to draw attention to it. It is also very sturdy.

Are you using the whip for a pleasure show or dressage?

Many drivers are opting for the Ledo Lightened whip as a good everyday starter and show whip. The MCR whip is also really good for the show ring.

Do you need the whip to dress up a turnout?

If you really want to make a statement, the Fleck Holly whip is the ultimate. We order them with counterweight in the butt cap so they are better balanced. The MCR Presentation is another good, and more practical choice for a show whip. We also offer Ledo Presentation whips which are decently balanced, but a little more sturdy than the above two options.

Is the whip meant to be a spare on the carriage?

The Ledo Telescoping whip shortens down to less than 28”, making it easy to store on the carriage. We have also used the shortest Ledo Marathon whip tied to the edge of the marathon carriage as a spare whip.

What is your budget?

The Ledo Marathon whip is our least expensive whip. It is decently balanced for typical drivers. The Ledo Lightened whip is a little better balanced while still being a good price. The Ledo Telescoping whip is phenomenal for being lightweight, but they are a little more expensive. The best-balanced whips are the MCR whips, but they are a little pricier. The Fleck Holly whips, of course, are the most expensive status symbol whips and usually only used with the highest-end turnouts at very competitive pleasure driving shows.