14 DAY TRIAL // A new study carried out by two University of Sydney veterinarians, investigating the impact of whipping on performance in Thoroughbred races, concluded that whipping racehorses is futile and does not make any difference in the race results.
Dr David Evans, study co-author and Honorary Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, explained why there is no solid base for maintaining whipping in horse racing.
“We looked at running times in a series of races, how whips were used and whether that whip use influenced the outcome of a race,” he said and “what we found was that whipping did not affect the probability of whether or not a horse finished a race in the first three placings.
“How a horse ran in the first part of a race, when it wasn't being whipped, was the most critical factor in racing success.
“So horses are being whipped in the final stages of a race, in the face of muscle fatigue, for no benefit.”
Professor Paul McGreevy is an animal behavior expert and co-author of the study, and he said he hopes this research emphasizes the misconception and futility of whipping.
He explained that “the reason for whip use has traditionally been the need to be seen to ride the horse out and the suggestion that you can steer a horse with the whip.
“Many horse riders, and certainly these findings, refute that.
“Top performance horses have been bred and prepared to give their best.
“Add to that excellent horsemanship and you've got a winning combination. That's all you need.
“We have evidence here that great horsemanship does not involve flogging tired horses.”
This report should challenge traditional thinking, believes Professor Rosanne Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney.
“Science has the ability to challenge our views of what is otherwise considered the norm,” and “this result is a good example of how evidence can inform the way we work with animals to promote their optimal performance and welfare.
“In this instance, the future wellbeing of Australian racehorses is looking brighter, because we now better understand that horses give their best when they are not whipped, before the 400m mark, positioning themselves for a win or place.”
Finally, RSPCA Chief Scientist, Dr Bidda Jones, says that this study will help end the debate over the necessity of whipping in the future of Australian Thoroughbred racing.
“This study has found that jockeys use whips just as people would expect - to try to make their slowing horse recover speed in the closing stages of a race in the hope they will get a place.
“That's not surprising. What is surprising is the finding that whipping doesn't make any difference.
“Jockeys may as well save their energy, keep their hands on the reins, and head straight for home. Their horses will be so much better off for it.”
RSPCA Australia funded this research, which was carried out with the assistance of Racing New South Wales.
The study has been peer-reviewed and published by the Public Library of Science.