A riding crop is primarily designed to back up the natural aids (leg, seat and voice) of a horse rider and can be extremely beneficial to you, especially if you are a more advanced rider. They can help you to control your horse a little better, but should never be used as a form of punishment.
There are many different types of riding crops and whips out there, and it can be difficult to know which one is going to be right for you. Below we have compiled a buying guide all about the best riding crops, as well as listing the top picks we think are the best out there on the market today. So, if you’re ready to find the crop of your dreams, keep reading on.
Best Riding Crops — Comparison Table
| Image | Product Name | Features | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1) Rekink 18" Gold and Purple Riding Horse Crop | Genuine Leather Premium Quality Lightweight And Comfortable | 5 out of 5 |
 | 2) Ardour Crafts Real Leather Riding Crop | Impressive Construction Perfect For Training Purposes Never Lose Your Grip | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 3) Rekink 18" Real Riding Crop English Whip | Genuine Leather Premium Quality Lightweight And Comfortable | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | 4) Aisto 18” Riding Crop | High Quality Horse Whip Comfortable And Leightweight Classical Looking | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 5) Prairie Horse Supply 27” Riding Crop | Woven Leather Solid Fiberglass Handle with wrist strap Woven Covered 100% Fiberglass Shaft, guaranteed not to break Single Thick Leather Slapper At End, flexible whip | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 6) Rekink 18" Real Riding Crop With Braided Handle | Genuine Leather Premium Quality Lightweight And Comfortable | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | 7) Prairie Horse Supply 18” Riding Crop | High Quality Fiberglass shaft - 100% Guaranteed Comfortable design Ergonomic grip | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 8) Huntley Equestrian Riding Crop | Hand made in England Great for everyday horse riding Comfortable rubber handle | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | 9) Rekink 18” Purple Real Riding Crop | Genuine Leather Premium Quality Lightweight And Comfortable | 4.6 out of 5 |
What Is A Riding Crop?
Riding crops are usually made out of a long shaft of fiberglass or cane which is covered in leather, fabric or a similar material. The rod of a crop thickens at one end to form a handle, and ends in a thin, flexible tress such as wound cord or a leather tongue, known as a keeper. The thin end is intended to make contact with the horse, whilst the keeper prevents the horse’s skin from being marked.
The crop is designed to be used without the rider unbalancing themselves in the act, meaning they have a great deal of leverage with very little hand movement. The length of a riding whip is designed to allow enough leverage for it to be used rapidly with a controlled flick of the wrist.
Choosing the right horse riding crop is just as important as choosing other equine accessories. They allow a rider to have greater control when on the horse and act as an extension of the arm and back up the legs, allowing the rider to encourage the horse into action and to correct the horse if their is a fault in their posture.
Types Of Riding Crop
There are a few different types of riding crops. The one you choose will depend on the type of riding you are going to be doing.
Jockey Crop
A jockey crop has a thick padded end and the length should be set depending on the race type. It is designed to encourage speed without harm and also used in other speed events by barrel racers and pole benders.
Lunge Whip
A lunge whip is a longer whip that is used to encourage a horse to move forward on the circle.
Dressage Whip
A dressage whip is the longest of short riding crops and can be used in competition and training as the rider can maintain their posture and alignment on the horse while reaching a variety of places on the horse’s body.
Hunting Crop
A hunting crop is a long solid wooden whip which is usually leather bound with a deer horn end. It can be used when jumping and hacking.
Now you know all about the different types of riding crops and why they are useful, take a look at the best sellers we recommend below. These are all in stock and available to you on Amazon.
The Best Riding Crops — Reviewed
1) Rekink 18″ Gold and Purple Riding Horse Crop
This combo set from Rekink includes both a riding crop and jump bat. Measuring 18 inches in length, both are manufactured from high-quality materials with a solid anti slip grip. The strong flexible PVC fiberglass stem wrapped by nylon webbing provides a great experience for all riders, and the leather on these crops is 100% genuine and durable. The jump bat has a braided shaft and is comfortable and lightweight in your hand. The popper also gives the right amount of incentive to your horse, making it perfect for even beginners.
Key Features:
- Genuine Leather
- Premium Quality
- Lightweight And Comfortable
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Ardour Crafts Real Leather Riding Crop
This riding crop from Ardour Crafts measures 24 inches in length and is built with genuine leather to withstand the wear and tear of equestrian life. An ideal whip for seasoned equestrians while training their horses, you’re able to give your horse the extra incentive and it can be used for both racing and show horses. The handle is made and braided with genuine leather to reduce the chance of you dropping your crop and there is a wrist loop for extra safety. The handle is also made of leather, as is the Training Tail, giving you a durable yet comfortable crop.
Key Features:
- Impressive Construction
- Perfect For Training Purposes
- Never Lose Your Grip
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) Rekink 18″ Real Riding Crop English Whip
This riding crop from Rekink is similar to the other listed above. It measures 18 inches in length and is built with genuine quality leather alongside a flexible PVC fiberglass stem wrapped in nylon webbing. Sturdy and durable, this riding crop will last you a long time while remaining comfortable for you to hold with an anti-slip handle. It also gives just the right amount of incentive to your horse, so is great for riders of all levels.
Key Features:
- Genuine Leather
- Premium Quality
- Lightweight And Comfortable
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Aisto 18” Riding Crop
This riding crop from Aisto is manufactured from strong and durable leather and comes with a solid anti slip grip. It measures 18 inches in length and has a braided shaft and thick premium soft leather slapper. Lightweight and super comfortable to hold, it is extremely convenient while also being commanding, so the horse understands the clear instruction. Great for riders of all levels, this crop is hand crafted and comes with a classic, stylish look.
Key Features:
- High Quality Horse Whip
- Comfortable And Leightweight
- Classical Looking
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Prairie Horse Supply 27” Riding Crop
This riding crop from Prairie Horse Supply is one of the longest on our list and measures 27 inches in length. With a 100% fiberglass shaft, this crop is guaranteed not to break and is extremely durable — excellent for even the most advanced riders. The leather used on this riding crop is genuine and offers a comfortable casing for the fiberglass handle. The slapper at the end is also made of genuine leather and the entire crop is flexible for premium use.
Key Features:
- Woven Leather Solid Fiberglass Handle with wrist strap
- Woven Covered 100% Fiberglass Shaft, guaranteed not to break
- Single Thick Leather Slapper At End, flexible whip
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) Rekink 18″ Real Riding Crop With Braided Handle
This riding crop from Rekink is made with durable leather and a strong flexible PVC fiberglass stem wrapped in nylon webbing, like the other Rekink crops listed above. It measures 18 inches in length and gives just the right amount of incentive to your horse which means it is an excellent crop for riders who are both experienced or beginners. The handle has a decorative feature that not only looks great but is comfortable to hold and the leather loop flapper is durable and long-lasting, too. What’s more, this horse whip comes with a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee.
Key Features:
- Genuine Leather
- Premium Quality
- Lightweight And Comfortable
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) Prairie Horse Supply 18” Riding Crop
Another riding crop from Prairie Horse Supply, this crop measures 18 inches and has a high quality fiberglass shaft. The handle is made with a comfortable design and ergonomic grip which makes the crop easy to hold and manipulate. This also means it is great for riders of all levels. The slapper is made of thick and soft premium leather, too, which is both strong and durable so is long-lasting. One of the best things with this riding crop is the color choice — you can choose between different shades of pink and purple!
Key Features:
- High Quality Fiberglass shaft – 100% Guaranteed
- Comfortable design
- Ergonomic grip
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
8) Huntley Equestrian Riding Crop
This riding crop from Huntley Equestrian is made with a strong fiberglass shaft, excellent for durability. It has a non-slip rubber grip handle that fits comfortably and securely in your hand for ease of use, and the keep is made of fine English leather which is both soft and long-lasting. This riding crop is one of the shortest on our list and measures 16 inches in length.
Key Features:
- Hand made in England
- Great for everyday horse riding
- Comfortable rubber handle
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
9) Rekink 18” Purple Real Riding Crop
This riding crop is yet another from Rekink and measures 18 inches. It has a PVC fiberglass stem wrapped in nylon webbing and is very durable, great for a range of different riders. The leather used on this crop is genuine and gives the right amount of incentive to your horse. The handle is comfortable and lightweight in your hand, allowing you a secure grip and great experience. Like the others from Rekink, this crop has a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee.
Key Features:
- Genuine Leather
- Premium Quality
- Lightweight And Comfortable
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Summary
A riding crop is a fantastic way to ensure you have greater control over your horse when you’re riding. Used in addition with your legs and reins, different crops have different benefits depending on whether you are riding for fun, in a competition, or something else entirely. With lots of crops out there for you to choose from it can certainly seem daunting trying to pick one, but hopefully you have found a crop you love in our list above. Which one are you going to go for?