Kentucky horse racing officials tightened reins on the use of the whip in harness racing Monday. By approving new rules for standardbreds they say are the nations toughest.

Under the measure the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission passed by voice vote is a ban on certain kinds of whips and riding crops that have a snapper strands of material at the end that can leave welts on horses. One-handed whipping by a rider also will be banned.

Abusive whipping has become a cancer within our sport, commission member Alan Leavitt said. Until we get rid of it, its going to be impossible to gain the fans to replace the ones weve lost to attrition.

The changes dont apply to thoroughbreds, although the panel also is looking at those, and one Kentucky track is experimenting with less-dangerous whips this fall. There is some debate over whether to allow jockeys to strike the horse by lifting their arm above the head.

Bill Napier of the Kentucky Harness Horsemens Association said standardbred racing has been harmed by the image of riders holding both lines in one hand and repeatedly striking the animals during the homestretch.

Its a situation where we believe it will reduce both the appearance of abuse and actual abuse, Napier said.

The standardbred whip rule changes will go into effect next spring. A driver could be suspended 10 to 30 days and fined $100 to $13,000 for one-handed whipping. Using a whip with a snapper can result in a suspension up to one year and a fine up to $20,000.

A news release from Kentuckys Public Protection Cabinet said the state is believed to be the first racing jurisdiction in North America to curb abusive whipping practices in standardbred racing.

I am proud that Kentucky is at the forefront of states acting on behalf of the humane treatment of trotters and pacers, Gov. Steve Beshear said.

While rules for thoroughbred racing could follow, Keeneland Race Course in Lexington this fall will be experimenting with a variety of newly designed, potentially safer whips that could soon be approved in Kentucky and elsewhere. The track is supplying more than 30 different whips for jockeys to use and will keep close tabs on their effectiveness and durability.

Posted on September 23rd, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Horse Racing news