OEH,

You know me, I tend to lean towards the "stout "side. When I say "stick" that is the kind of stick I'm talking about --- no "whimpy" stuff.

A sledge hammer handle and a 6' "sale barn whip" were the two tools (depending on the task at hand) I used when working cattle on a ranch in a "former life". Usually used the sale barn whip the most, on unique occasions the "stick".

EKM