Ban on the use of lead shot – finally!
Posted 10 Jul 2025

Posted on the 5th March 2025
It is shocking that in 2024, there were 557 breaches of whip regulations. Currently, the whip may be used six times in a flat race and seven times in a jump race. These limits are arbitrary and mean nothing for the horses who are publicly beaten by jockeys to try and make them run faster. Horses are the only animals who may be beaten in public for entertainment.
The abuses:
Whilst there has been a decrease in whip offences compared to 2023, the nature of some of the breaches were truly shocking. Horses were whipped multiple times above regulations – including a horse being whipped eight times above the ‘permitted level’. This means the horse was whipped fourteen times. If a dog was whipped fourteen times, would this be seen as acceptable practice, or unacceptable animal cruelty?
Additionally, horses were whipped in the incorrect place and with excessive force. This is truly disturbing.
‘In 2025, it is truly unbelievable that innocent animals are being publicly beaten to try and win prize money for humans, all whilst being watched by paying crowds. This is the stuff of nightmares – and a practice that generations to come will look back upon with shame and disbelief. No animal should be beaten – whether that is behind closed doors at ‘home’, or on a racecourse in fronts of thousands of people. Imagine how the horses must feel, being inflicted with pain when simply trying their best. No excuses, the whip must be banned now.’
Our new report ‘Victims of Abuse in British Horse Racing’ will published on Thursday 6th March – check back to our website then for a deep-dive into the reality of horse racing in Britain.
Posted 10 Jul 2025
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Posted 09 Jul 2025