The Horse Trust's Comment On Use Of Whips In Horse Racing (Ascot)

Paul Jepson, Specialist Policy Consultant at The Horse Trust... "Last night's news feature on the use of whips in horse racing (BBC 1, 10.00pm) was long overdue. As the poll of race goers demonstrated, nothing puts them, let alone the general public, off racing more than seeing a horse being apparently brutalised with the whip." "Although the news feature went some way to dispelling this view, it missed the opportunity to make the point that the whips now used are "air" whips developed in conjunction with the RSPCA. This type of whip does not inflict pain or injury, but does make a loud slapping noise which serves to urge on the horse." "Racing is a great British institution that is dependant on the support of the general public. We must make the public aware that the racing industry considers the welfare of the horse to be its top priority and wouldn't allow any technique to be used that has a negative impact on the horse's welfare."

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