Whips Are Needed in Horse Racing, Research Paper Example

The use of whips in horse racing has come under a significant microscope.  It is unlikely that one engaged in this discussion – regarding the ability or safety to use whips in horse racing – is neutral.  While eliminating whips in horse racing seems to be an easy answer, it is this general sentiment that is detracting from the true important matter.

The following analysis will explore the topics surrounding whips in horse racing, most importantly regarding how they may be implemented safely.  Also important is refuting arguments against whips in horse racing, in any extent.  It is important that these arguments that call for the complete abolishment of whips in horse racing are met reasonably.

Criticisms of Whips in Horse Racing

There is a wide range of reasons behind critics of whips in horse racing.  Wailing (2007) cites its use in promoting unnatural speed, safety reasons, and the integrity of racing (losing the whip does not harm the sport and progression in rules to help the sport).  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), as Mackey (2011) writes, argues that whips do not even cause the racehorse to go faster, citing a recent study.

While each argument, and others that surround this highly debated issue, cannot be met with a great deal of completeness, there are a number of rebuttals to these criticisms.  Ranging from direct rebuttals to those that surround the nature of these criticisms, as they will be seen, are found.  Meeting these criticisms, they may be divided into these types of rebuttals, in order to shed light on the situation and move towards progress in this area – with whips remaining in the sport of horse racing.

General Refutations of Critics Against Whips in Horse Racing

As mentioned previously, the defense of whips in horse racing can be divided into two categories.  The first of which is explored here, where there are a number of points to be made against the thought of attacking whips in horse racing.  This in itself, it is argued, is faulty in its own right.

PETA and other critics against whips in horse racing are seen by many to be “extremists.”  While this term has an unwanted connotation, it is becoming more and more reasonable for the way that whips are being attacked in horse racing.  The whip should not be the focus of all of this criticism – there are plenty of different (excluding whips) issues that deserve such attention.

The sport itself should be a cause for concern.  Yates (2011) cites figures from the British Horseracing Authority, where 0.29 percent of horses do not return from a race; when the distinction is made for jump racing, the mortality rate (for a single race) rises to 0.5 percent.  Yates writes further on the illogical and misguided criticism: “So an activity that accounts for five in every 1000 horses who participate carries on unchecked, but use of the whip in a finish… goes by the wayside.”

Horse racing is a sport that causes deaths to the animals involved.  As Yates relates in the article, it is important to be clear on the biggest culprit: the sport itself.  It is not accurate to point the finger at whips – and not the sport – to bring up notions of harm.

Further yet related to this discussion is the topic of the sport itself.  In no uncertain terms, horse racing is an industry that is involved in the exploitation of animals.  Horses are killed on the track, as previously noted, but they are also used, bred, and dominated for entertainment/money.  There are other travesties at work here, from their unfair treatment in the course of their lifetime.  Take, for instance, the lack of care that is given to a horse after their career on the track is finished: this represents another issue that is greater than whips in horse racing.  In other words, it is important to take a good look at the sport and its practices for a relatively minor issue – which will be addressed – to be attacked.

Overall there are plenty of reasons why whips should not be the center of attention.  Indeed there are other and more significant problems at work here.  Even then, the attacks are not quite logical yet.  Consider that “whips in horse racing” are the target, when it should be extended to all horse sports; barrel racing, dressage, grand prix jumping, and others where whips are used are not commonly cited in this discussion.

Direct Refutations in the Criticisms of Whips in Horse Racing

There is much to be said in the direct response to criticisms in this discussion.  Generally it may be said that there are misunderstandings surrounding the whip in horse racing.  The whip is an effective tool that does not generally hurt the horse.

There are many misunderstandings with the whip in horse racing.  Hersh (2009) brings an informative quote that is echoed in the sport: “’The whip is not a whip,’ Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux said during the Keeneland fall meet.  ‘It’s a noisemaker.’”  The noise that is produced is used – not the force of the whip – to drive the horse to maintain their speed (a big oversight for the study that PETA quotes).  In addition, a whip is also important to keep the line of the horse.

It is true that the whip has been used in the past in a negative manner.  However, as Schreck writes (2009): “Racing is moving away from the indiscriminate use of the whip to a riding style that is more appealing to the horse… the product will be more acceptable to the public.”  This is actually a huge point in responding to these criticisms, in that of public perception.  As clarified by Yates (2011), public perception casts a dark cloud over the use of the whip, which is not justified.

In what could be regarded as the “meat” of the rebuttal, the whip does not often harm the horse.  While there are always exceptions to the rule – exceptions that are addressed in the solution given later – the whip is not a tool that hurts the animal.  Previous examples could be attributed to hurting a horse involved in this sport, or its unethical treatment, but not the whip.

Whips should not be a big concern in that of hurting horses.  As Rule (2009) states, “they [whips] aren’t even in the race.”  Rule also describes a horse as a “best 10 time the jockey’s weight,” who is ready to fight rival horses with teeth and hooves, and can kill a person with its kick (2009).  The padded stick, as opposed to the speed and track (at least directly), is nothing to be overly concerned about.

Overall, the misunderstandings regarding the whip are great.  They do not accurately depict how the whip is used nor approach whether it truly hurts the horse.  This leads to immense complications to the general public, or “radical” critics, who overreact to such visions.

Solution for Whips in Horse Racing

The whip is not some brutal tool that takes advantage of horses and causes pain.  Methods have already been introduced to regulate the fair use of whips.  In the end, it is necessary to protect the presence of whips in horse racing, which essential: “Racing history abounds with horses whose achievements would have been lost to obscurity without the whip” (Yate 2011).  While whips should not be the target of so much criticism, keeping whips in the sport should be done with more caution.

Padded whips have been introduced in order to eliminate possibilities of harming the horse during a race.  In many places these whips are now required, such as in Canada and in three states in the United States of America (Hersh 2009).  This is one important step for making whips much safer to use in horse racing.  This method should be carried out in sync with other associations across the world.

The padded whips make quite a bit of difference, even for old whips which weren’t necessarily that harmful in themselves (if used properly).  Consider veteran rider E.T. Baird’s take on the new whips: “If I had to make a comparison, the old one, it’s ‘pop,’ and the new one, it’s like you’re hitting with a marshmallow” (Hersh 2009).  The new whips must be less than eight ounces and 30 inches in length.

The use of these padded whips is an important first part of the equation.  Following the lead of many areas and associations in the world, this should be uniformly accepted.  This would be one way to eliminate the potential harm that can come with its misuse.

In conjunction with further rules, a fully-satisfactory solution may potentially be found with whips in horse racing.  Regulations on the force, area where the horse is hit, and number of times the whip is used has been seen.  Ideally some agree-upon introduction of such rules, in conjunction with the padded whips, could provide a great solution to possible worry.

Taking a few examples would be useful to view.  In England, for instance, there are regulations on the whip.  Additionally, a rider may not raise the whip above his shoulder or strike more than once per stride, along with further conditions. Similarly in Australia, padded whips are used.  Riders are limited in the number of strikes in certain parts of the race: for instance, they may not use more than seven forehand strikes in the last 100 meters of the race (Hersh 2009).

Unfortunately in parts of the world, there are little or no restrictions on whip use.  In Japan, for instance, there are not restrictions on the type of whips or other features involving whip use.  It is important for an international consensus to be made with the appropriate organizations and associations.  This would be an important breakthrough to provide protection to the horses, without undermining the integrity of the sport.

Conclusion

It is important to battle many of the criticisms that attack the presence of whips in horse racing.  There are many other travesties that are taking place, as well as misconceptions that are not true as they relate to whips in the sport.  However, it is currently not idea, and further steps need to be taken in regard to whips in horse racing.

Padded whips are essential to the current state of the sport.  Previous whips were safe when used properly, but padded whips will provide further protection in the topic of pain experienced by the horse.  This is a welcomed change that keeps the integrity of the whip in place.

Further rules are also needed in regard to the use of whips.  Rules such as those restricting strikes originating from above the shoulder should be implemented.  In conjunction with padded whips, these rules can provide more safety as well as guard against excessive striking and other worries.

These standards can go a long way to alleviating the pressure from critics against horse whipping.  Certainly there is a measure of truth in these arguments, which can be solved by making the use of whips in horse racing safer.  However, hopefully critics turn their attention to more important worries in the sport of horse racing.  There are other elements surrounding the sport that are immoral and deserve much attention.

References

Hersh, Marcus.  (2009).  Giving Safer Whips a Crack.  ESPN.  Retrieved from http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=4671332.

Mackey, Jeff.  (2011).  Whipping Doesn’t Make Racehorses Go Faster.  PETA.  Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/01/28/whipping-doesn-t-make-racehorses-go-faster.aspx.

Rule, Andrew.  (2009).  Whips Aren’t in the Race When it Comes to Hurting Horses.  The Sydney Morning Herald.  Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/whips-arent-in-the-race-when-it-comes-to-hurting-horses-20091110-i7jj.html.

Schreck, John.  (2009).  Whip Debate Needs to be Sensible, Rational.  The Age.  Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/horse-racing/whip-debate-needs-to-be-sensible-rational/2009/09/14/1252780269601.html.

Wailing, Neal.  (2007).  Ban the Whip in Horse Racing.  Living Ethically.  Retrieved from http://www.livingethically.co.uk/pages/infocus/07feb-banthewhip.htm.

Yates, David.  (2011).  Why Horse Racing Must Not Drop the Whip.  Mirror.  Retrieved from http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/racing/2011/04/why-horse-racing-must-not-drop.html.