Senior Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) veterinarian Dr Sophia Ramlal believes that changing the regulation on excessive whipping in the horse racing industry provides extra layer of protection for horses and potentially brings more skill out of the jockeys.

The use of the whip in horse racing has been a contentious issue around the world. Debate has raged for decades, and the use of the whip is the reason some people are turned off horse racing.

The local racing industry has managed to dodge responsibility for this controversial conduct, which some people liken to animal cruelty. Some people believe it’s full time the industry evaluates its appropriateness and gets it outlawed.

Jamaica’s horse racing regulatory agency, the JRC, is now reviewing the current rule on excessive use of the whip and also is close to adding a new rule that will limit the number of times a jockey can whip a horse in any one race.

“Excessive whip usage is a topical issue internationally. The racing world is defining and implementing strategies to give riders a better framework for riding crop usage and I fully endorse this as it will assist in enhancing equine welfare,” Dr Ramlal told the Jamaica Observer.

She argued that whipping should effectively be a last resort for jockeys.

“In my view, excessive whipping is any use of the crop without employing what I define as a 4H strategy first: hands, heels, heart, and head. Riders should firstly master and use hands and heels riding techniques so they can get optimal performance from their mounts. Added to that must be they use of their heads to think carefully about race riding strategies which best suit each horse and race situation.

“Indeed the rider may determine that fanning or just showing the whip [to the] horse will be enough and there’s no need to actually apply the whip. Lastly, jockeys should use their hearts and be compassionate in how the whip is used. Therefore, no whipping in prohibited areas (flank, neck, and head, for example) and certainly no further whipping if the horse is not responding,” she further added.

Rule 138 (5) of racing deals with excessive use of the whip but does not include the number of times a jockey can use the whip in a race. This rule change will bring local racing in line with what is considered international standards specifically aimed at protecting the horses. The proposed new rule will limit riders to six strikes of the whip in the straight in any one race.

According to Dr Ramlal, this proposed revision will make the rule objective and provide riders, stewards, and the public with a very straightforward way to judge excessive or inappropriate use of the whip.

“The existing rule is subjective in terms of what is excessive whipping. The proposed amendment of six taps with the crop in the last two furlongs is in keeping with current best practice internationally, as this is thought to give the rider room to allow for maximal urging while allowing the horse time to respond.

“While it is critical to set a ceiling for the number of strikes, it is more important, in my view, that jockeys practise smart riding and use the 4H approach,” Dr Ramlal explained.

Jockeys Ruja Lahoe, Shavon Townsend and Javaniel Patterson have found themselves in trouble with the stewards for excessive whip use while the rule is being examined on January 9, 2024.

Lahoe was fined $8,000 for excessive use of the whip aboard Inspired Miracle in the fifth race on December 23, 2023.

Townsend, who rode Press Conference in the 10th race on December 26, 2023, was fined $10,000 for excessive use of the whip in the final 300 metres of the race. He was also suspended for one race day and fined $10,000 for accepting and holding a young child in the winners’ enclosure after the running of the race. The suspension will commence on January 20, 2024.

Patterson, who rode Modern Miracle in the seventh race on December 30, 2023, was fined $10,000 for the excessive use of the whip during the race.

Dr Ramlal said the punishments will encourage more prudent riding with a higher emphasis and reliance on the riders’ abilities.

“Whip marks (wheals) have been observed on horses after they have raced. Thankfully, this occurs infrequently and when observed, has resulted in jockeys being reported and sanctioned,” Dr Ramlal said.

“The change will enhance horse welfare as it will encourage more judicious riding with greater emphasis on jockeying skills and less reliance on whip usage. Further, with the requirement that only “humane” riding crops be used the likelihood of abuse even when the whip is used will be lessened,” she said.

Jockey Shavon Townsend celebrates as he guides Press Conference to victory in the 10th and final event on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. Townsend was then fined $10,000 for excessive use of the whip in the final 300m of the race and suspended for one race day.