Just curious of the whip others would suggest for my Class A Mini. The driving whip I have is obviously way too long - reaches all the way up to her ears. My dressage whip is the right length but has no lash. I’d rather be able to just tickle her with the lash, and not have to tap her. She listens to the whip and voice very well and doesn’t need much. I have been able to find great resources on pretty much everything else but I’m coming up empty on whip ideas. Thanks!
You need to be able to reach her off shoulder. Rule of thumb: Long shaft, short lash. MCR Ultra Lite whips are fantastic, look into them.
get a long (riding) dressage whip and attach a lash to it.
MCR whips will be a tad too long for an A. It was perfect for my B, but i know that was as short as she can make them. I’m not sure if anyone makes a mini whip shorter…
Maybe get a bigger mini? 
I love my Ideal fleck nylon whip – well-balanced, rubber hand grip, nice-looking, and under $30.
Keep in mind that if you have it mailed, shipping a whip is very expensive. Whatever you buy, you’ll save if you can pick it up (ADS show, CDE, National Drive, etc.)
If you think you might do any breed shows, remember that AMHA and AMHR have very strict rules about whip length, so be sure to check their rule books.
When I was driving mini’s this was the whip I used. http://www.iowavalleycarriage.com/content/ultralite-whip These are so light and easy to balance in your hands. FTR, Iowa Valley carriage is a wonderful business to work with!
Thanks for the suggestions! I was on Iowa Valley’s website the other day, and really had fun looking around 
Definitely won’t be doing any breed shows, or any kind of shows. Just driving for pleasure around the farm.
Get a bigger Mini…I’ll tell my husband I have to buy a bigger Mini because they don’t make a whip short enough for the itty bitty I have now! lol
They do make them short enough for minis…all of the mini tack websites have them short enough, although these typically have just the popper – no lash – like ridden dressage whips. You can always check their length and then use that to shop elsewhere. Iowa Carriage can usually order additional sizes and lengths on certain products.
Ideal has a 100 cm (@40") and a 120 cm (@48"). Each is $24.
MCR whips can be custom made at no extra charge. They are handmade in the USA by my 'gator Meredith Russo. I have a black one for training, a burgundy one to match my presentation carriage, and a shorter green one to match my marathon carriage. Wrist, hand and elbow pain disappeared once I started using these super lite, well balanced whips. LOVE THEM!
Another plus, if you should happen to break one Meredith can repair it I’ve used mine often (I drive almost every day) and all of mine still look like new. But it’s nice to know that should I do something dumb like run over one or leave it in the holder while loading the carriage, it can be fixed.
Ashemont, I met her at Walnut Hill. Lovely lady. When I’m ready for a whip of my own (I use borrowed equipment at the moment - horse is still growing), that is most definitely what I want!
Oh dont get me wrong, MCR whips are the BEST! But when i ordered one from Merideth for my mini, she sent me the shortest one she could make. I think it has to do with lining up right in the handle and still being thick enough for the lash width to fix on the stick part. Mine was too long for an A. It was perfect for my B.
So though i love them, i dont think she can make one smaller for an A with the materials she has. She also makes REALLY nice ground driving lines! And i’ve got a nice ground driving whip that i love of hers too.
I no longer have my mini whip of hers, but i believe it was 43" long when i was trying to find a box to ship it to its new owner.
Having a “floppy” lash is really nice though when it comes to reinsmanship and driving one handed… I cant stand a stiff lash like a dressage whip.
Meredith is sitting right here. She CAN make shorter whips, they just don’t have as much flexibility and “whippiness”- which probably isn’t an issue with a whip so short. I definitely recommend checking with her. Also, when you buy a light whip you want to make sure it is hollow e-glass and not graphite; the graphite is light but brittle and breaks easily. Of course, the graphite is cheaper. Also, as stated, MCR Whips are made in the USA
And in case anyone is wondering - Meredith is a FABULOUS 'gator! But only available when the Polish Driving Ponies aren’t competing
I still haven’t decided which to buy! For now I am using a redneck doityerself whip. (shameful I know.) It’s a short dressage whip with a shoe string tied on the end. I warned you it was redneck! At least the shoe string is black so as to not look too shoe stringy. Ugh. She really needs very little whip anyway. Mostly just good to go with voice and rein commands. So I will plan to put something on my Xmas list, which is the best way to get tack
By the way, Ashemont, I was the timer at the end of D at the Kentucky Classic. I loved your ponies - I commented on their roached manes - don’t know if you remember.
Sadly, I missed all the marathon. Oh well - I was an obstacle observer out there in '09 and '10 (for WEG) so I guess it was time to let someone else have all the fun!
Of course I remember you! I never forget anyone who compliments my lovely Polish Driving Ponies Thank you so much for volunteering. We were having a super marathon - fastest time on 4 of the 6 hazards and second fastest on one. Then a hold and an improper start rattled us on the last hazard 
But it was such a wonderful course and gorgeous day - and nice volunteers like you made it special!
