Animal Aid

Hitting a racehorse with a whip of a specified design is regarded as acceptable by the racing’s governing bodies in Britain, namely the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (which enforces the rules), and the British Horse Racing Board (which helps organise, fund and promote racing).

Advocates of the whip argue that it assists horses to perform better and run more safely and that it provides helpful chastisement for when they behave 'badly'. Our report, A Hiding to Nothing, shows that whipping horses is less likely to produce an 'improvement' in behaviour. Rather, they become fearful, hesitant and less likely to perform to their potential. Animal Aid wants to see a total ban on the use of the whip in horse racing.

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