Using a whip: allowed during equestrian events or not?

There are very diverse opinions regarding the use of whips during horse events. For many, it is cruel and a form of abuse. Some other argue it does not really harm the horse and it is fine to use it to help the horse focus. In some places like California it is now illegal to use a whip during horse racing, however in other places like Britain, jockeys face tougher penalties for an excessive use of the whip.

Horseracing

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced that the whip used during races is not a common one. It is an energy-absorbing whip that is designed to create noise instead of pain. This can only be used for safety, correction or encouragement.

This created controversy amongst the public that does not like seeing the horse being hit during a race. However, the central approach by the BHA has been to safeguard the animal welfare. It is based on more than just an instinctive response.

According to the animal welfare science behind the effects of the whip on horses, it has been found that under such conditions, the use of an energy-absorbing whip does not cause pain if used within strict limits. This phenomenon is often called “sportsman’s analgesia”. This has led the authorities of this sport to allow a restrictive number of whips and to encourage jockeys to inform themselves on the latest science for horseracing.

Show Jumping

FEI rules for show jumping indicate the use of a whip is allowed in international competitions. However, under no circumstance can the whip be used after an Elimination or to vent an Athlete’s temper. This could lead to sanctions and will be penalised appropriately.

Athletes are allowed to use a dressage whip when working on the flat. They are not allowed to carry one that is weighted down at the end at any time or carry one that is more than 75 centimetres in length.

Moreover, if there is any visibility of fresh blood on the horse during a competition, and this has not been caused by the horse accidentally biting their tongue, it will result in an Elimination. These norms are much stricter and horse riders are only allowed to use the whip to encourage a horse to surpass an obstacle.

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Dressage

In this equestrian sport, it is forbidden to carry a whip of any kind while competing at all international events. However, it is allowed to carry a whip. Riders that are competing will have to drop them before entering the space around the Competition arena. In the case the athlete does not do so, he/she will be sanctioned.

This does not apply during the prize-giving ceremony as winners can carry one when receiving their award. In equestrian sports, it is often common to see riders raising their whips or lowering their heads as a form of salutation. Nonetheless, the use of the whip on horses for Dressage events is decreasing worldwide.

Eventing

Is using a whip on one of the most demanding equestrian sports still allowed? According to FEI regulations, excessive or misuse is considered abuse of the horse. This happens when: the whip helps an athlete calm their temper, is used after Elimination or is used after a horse has already jumped the last fence of the course.

Also, the horse’s skin must never be broken or have visible marks of the use of the whip. In Eventing competitions, the whip cannot be used more than twice per incident. During the three tests that involve Eventing, horses with blood will be reviewed and if they show fresh blood, the pair will be eliminated.

For minor cases of blood induced by the athlete, the Ground Jury will check case by case to authorise the use of whips and spurs or not. In any case, significant blood will result in Elimination.

Polo

Polo rules vary from Polo Clubs and the countries they are in. Looking generally on rules regarding this sport, there is not really a minimum length of a polo whip. This can be because polo, unlike other equestrian disciplines, gets into physical contact with other players at gallop. When poked unintentionally into another rider, it can cause considerable damage.

Other rules are similar to other horse sports: the excessive use of a whip is forbidden and significant fresh blood during a competition will result in elimination.

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As we observe, the use of the whip is not banned in many equestrian sports but it follows heavy regulations. Authorities seek the protection of horses and their riders and will only allow the use of one on horses for focusing on the course. This encourages horses to sort obstacles in the competition arena.

However, many animal protection organizations are still fighting to ban all use of whips during horse races. Should we be focusing on the science behind it or look into the morality behind using a whip?

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