U-turn on the use of the whip means race horses will continue to be beaten

Posted on the 4th January 2023

On the eve of improved welfare measures regarding the use of the whip in horse racing, the industry welfare regulator, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has succumbed to pressure from jockeys which will allow them to continue beating horses in the forceful forehand position.

This last-minute U-turn comes after an extensive industry led public consultation, initiated by Animal Aid’s campaigning, on the use of the whip in racing. Of the twenty new measures that were to be implemented next week, starting 9 January 2023, the most important aspect of the new welfare measures has been dropped.

Says, Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘The BHA has failed to protect race horses from the brutality of the whip. Their extensive review is in tatters as their resolve was weak when challenged by jockeys who were against stopping forceful forehand strikes of the whip. This negative reaction is evidence that firstly, the whip should be banned and, secondly, the BHA is not fit to protect race horses and the time is long overdue for them to be replaced as welfare guardians of sentient beings – that of race horses.’

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