 Throughout Australia stockmen and drovers have used the stockwhip since the early 19th century and it is still the preferred whip used by Australian cattlemen and women today.The stockwhip is part of most mounted stockmen’s equipment and may be used to keep in contact with other riders, as a weapon against a snake, to lead a horse or dog, or as a counter - by tying one knot for every one hundred head of livestock counted.A stockwhip is part of the regulation equipment in stockman challenges and some Australian Stock Horse events.