New rules have been laid down for the use of the whip in gallop racing. This has been decided by the Horse Racing Association, but the use of the whip is not to be banned.
The Bristish Horse Racing Authority (BHA) has issued new rules on the use of the whip during racing. These are to come into force in autumn. From now on, jockeys in Great Britain can be disqualified if they strike their horses too often. Furthermore, they will only be allowed to hold the whip in the direction of the horse’s hindquarters, the so-called “backhand position”. This is supposed to prevent long lunging movements with the whip.
The catalogue of rules is intended to promote “a considered and prudent use of the whip to encourage” the horse. In addition, it is intended to bring about “a greater focus on training and the improvement of standards for use”. Thus the BGH. The following are the most important rules
These are the most important new rules for gallop races:
- The use of the whip is to be limited to the backhand position.
- The whip may be used seven times in flat races and eight times in steeplechase races.
- If the rider strikes the whip at least four times more, he may be disqualified from the race.
- After a disqualification, riders are to be banned for 14 days (previously seven days). For major races, 28 days (previously nine).
- A board of examiners is to assess all rides and issue sanctions or measures if necessary (including referring jockeys to further training).
In total, there are 20 rules. How exactly they will be implemented, however, is still to be discussed. In addition, an education and training programme is to be carried out before the new rules are implemented. A transition period is also planned.
Not enough regulations?
For some opponents of the whip, the new regulations do not go far enough. The animal welfare organisation World Horse Welfare, calls for the abolition of whip use in horse racing: “We want to abolish the use of the whip for ‘encouragement’ in horse racing, both for animal welfare and ethical reasons.” Considering the “good partnership between horse and human” .
Because if the said rules had been introduced earlier, Britain’s Sam Waley-Cohen would not have won the world’s “Grand National” horse race. Instead, he would have been disqualified. He is said to have beaten his horse with 14 lashes. Waley-Cohen then had to pay a fine of 400 pounds. He also received a nine-day ban.
Source: Berliner Zeitung
