Quote:
Originally Posted by snappit
Personally I have no problem with the whip being banned except for correctional and safety use. We will still have winners and losers. If you hit any other animal with a whip there would be a public outcry yet we allow it on horses. The whip rules have been tightened considerably over here in the UK over the last few years. I also believe the whip over here is different to that in use in the states. We use an air cushioned whip which if used correctly apparently shouldn't cause pain. However, a big issue is how the public perceive it. Public perception is important to the continuation of racing. The rules themselves are going the right way although I think the penalty for incorrect use could be more. Britain's most high profile horse race is The Grand National over jumps and the prize fund is £1 million and attracts large viewing figures from people who wouldn't normally watch racing. On the flat the Derby, although not as high profile as the Grand National, attracts a purse of £1.5 million. The penalties perhaps won't deter because of the possible rewards. Maybe we should look at disqualification.
UK rules. http://www.thepja.co.uk/members-info...ory/useofwhip/
Interesting study on use of the whip. https://www.theguardian.com/science/.../2011/feb/14/6 |
The whip in racing has negative correctional or safety value. As Trevor Denman (who has called thousands of races) has said, the whip in racing has caused more problems with safety, interference and DQs than it prevents.
You are correct about the U.S. being far behind the UK in regulation of whip use. You're also right about, with purses being so high, we may have to deal with whip abuse like we do with drugs and go with disqualification.
Case in point, Victor Espinoza was suspended for days after the filly he rode came back bleeding from his whip. A few weeks later we see him striking American Paroah over 30 times in the stretch of the Kentucky Derby. If trainers see their horses taken down for whip abuse they will likely stop using abusive jockeys.
