Ethics in horse racing. Are whips really necessary?
Posted by: simla
10th Aug 2013 04:25pm
There has been a number of accidents and incidents that bring it to mind that perhaps with less whip use, the incidents may have been avoided. At least the use of whipps didn't prevent the accident/ incident from happening.
Horses frequently break down in races, or are lame afterwards. Stewards reprimand jockeys for not riding the horse out in the straight, making it difficult for jockeys to not use the whip for fear of suspension. They get their income from riding fees, so that is a huge factor.
In Norway, whips are not used, and as all horses race under the same conditions, all is fair and equal.
What do readers think, are whips giving racing a bad name, or forcing horses to keep going when they should be pulled up?Also some horses do not like racing, and will not like it any better if hit with a whip!
There has been some changes to whip rules recently,(6 strikes I think it is) but surely good horseman-(woman)- ship, is sufficient.
Horses frequently break down in races, or are lame afterwards. Stewards reprimand jockeys for not riding the horse out in the straight, making it difficult for jockeys to not use the whip for fear of suspension. They get their income from riding fees, so that is a huge factor.
In Norway, whips are not used, and as all horses race under the same conditions, all is fair and equal.
What do readers think, are whips giving racing a bad name, or forcing horses to keep going when they should be pulled up?Also some horses do not like racing, and will not like it any better if hit with a whip!
There has been some changes to whip rules recently,(6 strikes I think it is) but surely good horseman-(woman)- ship, is sufficient.
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Comments 4
William Tell
I personally feel that in horse racing whips should not be at all used as the horse will if good enough will respond to vigorous riding without the use of the whip. This also makes everything even in the race as the horse will win on it's ability to run faster than the others.
simla
yes, it would be ideal if that was the adopted way. Black Caviar is an example of 'no whip' racing. The Jockey was told, ' you hit Nellie, and I'll hit you!' That was the trainer talking.
Anonymous
im not sure about racing but my daughter rides and uses a whip on occasions when her horse is being naught and wont listen to her 10mins using the whip pulls her back into line.
simla
Hi Jessjess, yes there are times when it, for safety sake one can be forgiven for using a whip for an aid in preventing a dangerous incident from happening, to ' wake-up' a horse or pony to a situation. That is a different thing to belting them senselessly.
In racing, a jocker may also be forgiven if a horse is 'running out' and about to collide with another runner. Some jockeys are adept at changing the whip to the other hand so this can be a good thing in racing. There are always exceptions to the rule. All situations have to be assessed on their circumstances.
Some would say to ban horse racing altogether, others say even horse riding, but this is not going to happen any time soon, and in a more realistic point of view, a more moderate stance is likely to be adopted.
Years ago I had a trotter who 'played up' when being hidden at first, wanted to go one way when i wanted to go the other. Someone suggested i give him a sharp slap with a whip. He just ran backwards faster, in the direction he wanted to go! That was dangerous, even tho' it was on a country road. Eventually I was encouraged to use blunt spurs instead, which was the answer. He was a darling horse, just was confused about what I wanted him to do. The time spent on the ground with a horse is as important as the time in the saddle. Bonds are established.
Has your daughter tried warming the saddle before mounting? Some horses object to a cold saddle, and are said to have a 'cold back'. Mine did would even pigroot first thing, if not warmed(or saddled ahead of time)
A rice base feed, instead of oats helps to 'cool' fractious horses, she may find that helpful too.
I found ' lunging' before riding was great to work off some excess energy, and creates a bond of co-operation, also helps horses to be supple in their movement. (work up gradually to 10 mins each way
).Hope these tips help make riding more pleasant. Cheers Simla.
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