A good over and under whip comes down to three things: the material, the build, and the length. Buy doubled and stitched harness leather over glued imports or braided nylon, look for rounded edges and a split-end popper, and match the length to how you carry it. A long whip (around 54 inches) with a horn loop hangs on the saddle horn for barrel racing and timed events. A short one (around 31 inches) with a wrist loop stays on you for ranch work and everyday riding. Expect to pay $20 to $40 for a whip built to last; anything under $15 is usually glued, not sewn. Here is how to tell the difference before you spend the money.
In this article
- What is an over and under whip?
- Leather, nylon, or rawhide: which material is best?
- What length over and under whip do I need?
- What separates a well-made whip from a cheap one?
- How much should you spend?
- FAQ
What is an over and under whip?
An over and under is a Western riding whip that stays within reach without staying in your hand. The long version loops over the saddle horn; the short version loops around your wrist. Either way, your hands stay on the reins until you need it.
The name comes from how it is used. When a horse ignores your leg cue, you pick up the whip and tap over the flank or under the belly, on either side, without switching hands. That is why you see them on barrel racers and other timed-event riders: in a run, there is no time to fumble for a crop. A whip should always back up your leg cue, never replace it. If you want a refresher on building a solid forward cue first, Horse Illustrated has a good walkthrough.
Most over and unders are a strip of harness leather doubled over and stitched down the center, ending in a split-end popper. The popper matters more than people think: the two loose ends slap together and make noise, so the cue is as much sound as contact.
Leather, nylon, or rawhide: which material is best?
You will find over and unders in three materials, and they behave differently in the hand.
| Material | Feel and swing | How it ages | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harness leather | Weighted, swings true, softens with use | Decades with basic care; gets better as it breaks in | $20 to $40 |
| Braided nylon | Light, lively, can feel whippy | Frays at the popper; sun fades the color | $10 to $25 |
| Braided rawhide | Stiff, traditional, sharp crack | Durable but dries and cracks if it gets wet often | $18 to $45 |
Harness leather is the standard for a reason. It is tanned with waxes and oils for outdoor working gear, so it holds up to sweat and weather, and its weight makes the whip hang flat against the horse instead of bouncing. If you want the deeper story on what makes harness leather different, we broke it down in Harness, Bridle, or Latigo? A Leather Maker Explains the Difference.
Nylon has one real advantage: color options. If matching your barrel tack matters more than feel, it is a fair pick. Rawhide looks sharp hanging on a wall but is the fussiest to keep in working shape.
What length over and under whip do I need?
Length is really a question about where the whip rides.
Choose a long whip, around 54 inches, if it lives on your saddle horn. The extra length means it hangs down along the swell where your hand naturally drops, and it reaches the flank or belly without you leaning. This is the setup you see in barrel racing and pole bending.
Choose a short whip, around 31 inches, if it lives on your wrist. A wrist-loop whip is always in the same place no matter what your hands are doing, which makes it the better tool for ranch work, colt starting, and everyday riding where you are opening gates and swinging ropes.
If you are between the two, think about your last ten rides. If most of them involved a pattern or the clock, go long. If most of them involved a job, go short.
Doubled and sewn harness leather with a split-end popper. Long (54", horn loop) or Short (31", wrist loop).
What separates a well-made whip from a cheap one?
Four things, and you can check every one of them in ten seconds with the whip in your hand.
1. Stitching, not glue. A proper over and under is two layers of leather sewn down the middle. Run your thumbnail along the center: you should feel a stitch line. Glued whips delaminate at the popper end, usually within a season.
2. Rounded, finished edges. Square-cut edges feel sharp in your hand and wear ragged. Rounded and rubbed edges mean someone finished the whip instead of just cutting it out.
3. A split-end popper. Two tails, not one blunt end. The split is what makes the pop, and the pop is what gets the response without needing a harder tap.
4. A hand-rubbed finish. Good harness leather arrives with its oils worked in, so the whip is supple on day one instead of stiff as a board. If a new leather whip feels like plastic, the leather was rushed.
How much should you spend?
The market runs from $8 imported nylon to $125 custom beaded show pieces. The middle is where the value is. At $20 to $40 you get sewn harness leather from makers who cut and finish the whip themselves, and that whip will outlast a drawer full of the cheap ones. Pay more than that only if you are paying for decoration: beadwork, custom colors, silver.
One more thing worth saying: a whip is the cheapest piece of tack on your saddle. If you are running barrels, the money upgrade that actually changes your ride is usually the reins. We built our laced barrel reins for the same riders who hang a whip on the horn.
Latigo core with chrome tan lacing for grip through the turn. Your pick of lacing colors.
Frequently asked questions
What is an over and under whip used for?
It backs up your leg cue when you need more forward motion, most commonly in barrel racing and other timed events. Because it hangs from the saddle horn or your wrist, it is within reach without taking a hand off the reins.
How long should an over and under whip be?
Horn-loop whips typically run 50 to 57 inches so they hang within reach of your hand and cue the horse without you leaning. Wrist-loop versions run around 30 inches. Pick based on where you want to carry it, not on the horse.
Are over and under whips allowed in barrel racing?
In most open and professional barrel racing they are permitted, but rules vary by association and some youth organizations restrict or prohibit whips. Check the current rulebook for the association you run under before you compete.
What is the difference between an over and under and a quirt?
A quirt is a short hand whip, usually braided with a flat flapper on the end, made to be carried in your hand or on your wrist. An over and under is longer, typically hangs from the saddle horn, and ends in a split popper. A short wrist-loop over and under sits between the two.
How do you take care of a leather whip?
The same way you care for the rest of your tack: wipe off sweat and dirt, and work in a light coat of conditioner a couple of times a year, more if it lives outside. Our full routine is in How to Clean and Condition Leather.
One whip, built to outlast the horse trailer
Doubled and sewn harness leather, handmade in Eminence, Indiana. Long with a horn loop or short with a wrist loop.
Get the Over N Under Whip, $30 →100% satisfaction guarantee. Lifetime warranty. Ships in 2 to 3 business days.
