Can I bring a bullwhip in a carry-on on a Continental flight?

I'm going to Texas for the week to work cows, and we are flying Continental airlines. We are trying not to check luggage because it adds so much time to a flight. I was wondering if I can bring my bullwhip in my carry-on bag. The list of prohibited items says "cattle prods" but it says nothing about bullwhips. Can anyone answer this for me? We're leaving tomorrow morning...