| OPINION |
Bill Heller
Eclipse Sportswire
# SO UN D BIT ES We posed this question to several trainers and two Hall of Fame jockeys: Should rules be added to limit or eliminate a jockey’s use of the whip?
# John Velazquez (Hall of Fame Jockey)
We have rules already, but there are different rules. Would uniform rules be nice? Yes. But we talk about it, and nothing happens. It would be nice to see it happen before I retire. About eliminating the whip, absolutely not. It’s a tool we need. We need something to get the horse’s attention. We need it to get horses to go straight. Also, horses need to be encouraged. I’m not concerned about the perception because we use new whips that are much softer, much different now than the ones we used to use.
# Carla Gaines
It’s interesting. At this stage, the whip is so soft. Here in California, our sticks are as soft as can be. We used to use a stick which was far more severe for decades. It left welts. I rode horses all my life. I think the stick is necessary. You’re sitting on top of an explosive, thousand-pound animal. The stick will help control the horse. A lot of people advocate no stick. I understand that public concern is we’re hitting the horse, but it’s used to control the horse. People who work with other animals know you have to have some sense of control, not abuse. You have to keep them going in a straight line, or they could endanger somebody’s life.
# John Kimmel
The whip is not only for trying to get more out of your horse, but also to control the horse when he’s acting up. Riders use it when horses prop or veer out, even during post parades. You need some kind of extension of your arm. Eliminating the whip would be more dangerous. I think a less forceful whip might help, more than the ones that can cause welts, ones that encourage them without inflicting pain. You could limit the number of times a whip is used.
# Robbie Davis Yes. When a horse is beat, he shouldn’t be beaten up. Horses are competitive for the most part. Once they’re tired, you’re not going to get any more out of them. Or if he’s winning by several lengths, he shouldn’t be getting hit. It doesn’t take long to look right, look left and see how far ahead you are. I’ve seen the whip do more trouble than not. You’re not supposed to steer with the whip. That’s what the reins are for. In Canada, they limit the number of hits from the quarter-pole home and you can’t go above your head to whip.
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TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 53