New Whip Rules

[superfrank]

And the position they have taken will lead people to think 'Either the whip hurts the horse, in which case it shouldn't be used at all, or it doesn't, in which case what's the point of regulation?'

EXACTLY.

[andyfuller]

Do you not think though that if jockeys can use the whip unlimited if it causes no pain that many current racing fans will feel uncomfortable with the sight of a horse being hit 50+ times perhaps.

I know I would.

[payuppal]

More nonsense.

The BHA took this action precisely because the old rules were being completely disregarded, leading to the genuine PR disaster of Maguire whipping the arse off a horse in the most high profile race of the year, the most watched, the most bet on.

How many people were turned off racing because of that display? For which he got 5 days. He should have got 6 months.

Clearly the available punishments were not sufficient to deter him, and the rules too vague.

The public are not cretins, though many racing followers are. The whip hurts, padded or not. That's what it's there for. If it doesn't there is no need to use it.

No 'educational programme' is going to persuade any sane person otherwise.

[Iron]

Andy -

They'd get used to it, just as they are currently used to seeing horses get whipped in races.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but the jockeys wouldn't whip the horses all the time anyway. If your aim is to stay in the middle of the pack until the final few furlongs, you're not going to be whipping the horse every few seconds in a 3 mile chase...

IMHO, if you want to regulate racing to reduce horse suffering, get rid of jumps races! I bet you don't often see a horse get put down after running a 5f sprint, but don't horses break their legs every year in the Grand National?

Jeff

[payuppal]

Has Ferru ever been to a race meeting?

Or seen a horse?

Or has he been too busy reading the 'Daily Express' to find the time?

[superfrank]

Do you not think though that if jockeys can use the whip unlimited if it causes no pain that many current racing fans will feel uncomfortable with the sight of a horse being hit 50+ times perhaps.

I know I would.

No I don't think they should be allowed to hit an unlimited amount - it probably causes a very mild pain and obviously cumulatively that pain would increase.

If I slapped your arm mildly it wouldn't hurt you - but if I did so 20 or 30 times in the same spot I suspect it would start to hurt.

Not much wrong with the old rules - not perfect but better than now.

My only problem with the new whips is that they are chunkier than the old ones and therefore it looks harsher when they are used.

[superfrank]

The public are not cretins, though many racing followers are.

Now that really is a dumbass comment.

[Iron]

Guys, this thread is beginning to remind me of discussions in another forum I can think of...

All that's missing is Badger!

Can I suggest we all take a deep breath?

Jeff

[payuppal]

Now that really is a dumbass comment.

If the cap fits, wear it.

Many racing people are in denial about the whip.

Clearly it must do something to the horse to affect its behaviour, otherwise it is a waste of time carrying it.

What it does is cause pain, but that's too straightforward. So all sorts of euphemisms and nonsenses about the size of the animal are employed.

It causes pain, have it, get over it.

Racing needs to accept that things have changed and go with them. Otherwise it may be in danger.

[superfrank]

Thanks for putting us all straight Dr payuppal!

You should apply for a job at the BHA; they'd love you there!

[Bet Angel]

Let's keep things cordial. It is an emotive debate so it's bound to get heated but no need to have a go an each other! Else I have to get the whip out.

[andyfuller]

Agreed, try not to make it personal Everyone is welcome to their own opinion and everyone is entitled to disagree with each other but lets not start calling each other names. I was just thinking an hour ago how good it was we could discuss this topic without it turning into name calling.

Richard Pitman just on ATR saying he would now like to see the whip only carried for corrective purposes and nothing else.

Interesting how opinions can change, Big Mac changed his views as well in time.

Any way got to head off to catch a plane but I will close my comments repeating what I said before, I would like to see it changed back to the old rules but with the addition of if the rules are broken the horse is placed last.

[superfrank]

Let's keep things cordial. It is an emotive debate so it's bound to get heated but no need to have a go an each other! Else I have to get the whip out.

he started it!!!

[SilentDave]

Interesting article in the Guardian pointing out that there has been a failure to educate people about the improvements in the whip and the fact that the noise they makes galvanises the horse as much as the feel of the whip hitting them.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oc ... didnt-hurt

[psycho040253]

And the whip rules change again.

Do the people at the BHA know what they are doing?

And these people rule the sport. Sometimes, I despair.

Psycho