THE rules governing the use of the whip in Australian racing have been revisited recently more times than your wealthy great aunt. But new research indicates strongly that another visit is required. The accepted understanding in this country of whip use and its effects are about to be seriously challenged.

PATRICK SMITH reports in THE AUSTRALIAN that the research, conducted by the University of Sydney, indicates that the nation’s whip rules have been formulated on a flawed understanding and perception of how different styles of whip riding affect profoundly the force of the impact on the horse’s rump.

The rules allow for jockeys to hit their horses with the whip held in a backhand manner (as you might hold a ski pole) without reservation at any stage of the race so long as the horse has a realistic chance of being competitive at the finish.

A jockey using the whip in a forehand manner (like holding a tennis racquet) can use the whip just five times – and not in consecutive strides – before the 100m and then he can lash the horse as many times as he can before reaching the winning post.

The research paper, peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (sic), notes of the Australian rules, which differentiate between the amount of backhand and forehand whip use: “This seems to imply that backhand whip use is less closely scrutinised, which may have profound implications for horse welfare.”

The data for the experiment was gathered by having jockeys strike a pressure-detection pad embedded on a static model horse with left and right hands and using forehand and backhand grips.

The six jockeys (four male, two female) were asked to use the whip as though they were in contention to win a race.

Analysis of the data allowed the researchers to reach this conclusion: “The current results show that action (forehand versus backhand) does not influence force on impact when using the non-dominant hand. However, when using the dominant hand, these jockeys struck with more force in the backhand. This result challenges the current focus on welfare concerns around forehand whip strikes. Rules of racing that limit only forehand whip use cannot be relied upon to safeguard horse welfare.”

First author on the paper was Professor Paul McGreevy, who previously conducted studies into the effect of whipping and the arbitrary scrutiny of where horses are struck.

McGreevy told The Australian yesterday: “We already know that 70 per cent of whip use is in the backhand and therefore immune to any limits under the 2009 rules. This paper shows that backhand whip strikes land with more force than forehand strikes.

It also shows how whip impacts vary radically from one jockey to another. This underlines the difficulty for the ARB as it attempts to argue about equitable use of the whip.

“In essence, the data points to a howling loophole in the rules that prompt jockeys to use the whip in the style that probably does more harm,” he said.

The findings of this latest research are controversial. Senior jockey Corey Brown has previously contended that hitting with a backhand grip is only a third as powerful as a forehand strike.

Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy confirmed to The Australian that stewards had become concerned with the increase in backhand use of the whip since the rule changes and had approached the jockey association to moderate the practice. Murrihy claims education programs since run by the stewards and the jockey body have helped reduce backhand use.

Murrihy agreed there had been very little research into the whip and its ramifications and he said the stewards would look forward to studying the University of Sydney analysis.

The Australian Racing Board, which supports the current rules enthusiastically, has established its own research. ARB secretary Peter McGauran said the board had engaged in a program to understand the impact of the whip with Charles Sturt University. McGauran said the results were expected soon.

McGauran said an increase in backhand use of the whip was expected after the 2009 rule change limited the amount of times jockeys could strike their mounts in a forehand manner.

“But a backhand strike is more a slap rather than the forceful forehand action given the position of the jockey and the movement of the arm.”

As researchers get a better picture of the action of the whip on horses, surely it is getting harder for a civilised nation to allow the abuse to continue.

STORY SOURCE: THE AUSTRALIAN - NEWS LIMITED.