Talks on the future of the whip in racing

In the meeting, our Horseracing Consultant, Dene Stansall, gave a presentation explaining why the only acceptable outcome of the consultation would be a total ban on the use of the whip in racing – except for extremely rare occasions when the safety of humans or horses is at risk.

As well as this ban, we believe the racing industry should disqualify any jockey who breaks the rules, meaning they lose their placement and winnings.

There is sufficient, up-to-date scientific evidence to prove that the whip does not improve a jockey’s chance of winning – and that horses have the same ability to experience pain as people. As Dene pointed out, when a fly lands on a horse, they swish their tails to make the fly move; if they can sense a fly, imagine how repeated strikes of the whip must feel.

Thank you to everyone who responded to the racing industry’s consultation on the whip. The Steering Group for the consultation is now considering the responses and we will update you when we have further information.

Read the full studies:

• ‘Is Whip Use Important to Thoroughbred Racing Integrity? What Stewards’ Reports Reveal about Fairness to Punters, Jockeys and Horses’, Animals 2020, 10(11), pg.1985
• ‘A Comparative Neuro-Histological Assessment of Gluteal Skin Thickness and Cutaneous Nociceptor Distribution in Horses and Humans’, Animals 2020, 10(11), pg.2094