NJ has become the first state to ban....?
...the use of the crop (“except for the express purpose of … safety”). How do you think that this will effect thoroughbred racing in Jersey [which is pretty much just Monmouth Park]?
...the use of the crop (“except for the express purpose of … safety”). How do you think that this will effect thoroughbred racing in Jersey [which is pretty much just Monmouth Park]?
Sandra S.
Favorite Answer
Well, it's hard to say exactly. What I do know is that every horse is different in how they respond. Crops are routinely used as cues sending the horse a message. As indicated it is quite regulated, and has been over the past 10 years. The crops today send a much gentler message, due to the many changes that have been made regarding the style whips/crops. Many don't realize these excellent changes that took place, and think otherwise due to a lack of education. The fact is we should feel better about whips/crops they use now. And, as I figured, more changes would eventually bring an end to any type of use altogether. With that it's just a matter of time before many other states follow NJ.
To educate further; the equipment today feels and works differently than the old. The popper on the end of a traditional riding crop is about two inches long and made of solid leather. Used too vigorously, it can raise welts and draw blood. Not so the new whips, which are tipped by a popper about six inches long. Sewn inside a soft pad of woven fibers made to look like leather is a piece of foam. When it strikes horseflesh, the lighter, thickly padded whips make an impressive pop while delivering their cushioned message. At first horses used to being encouraged by the whip's sting may no longer feel compelled to respond. Riders accustomed to whaling away in the stretch may discover they're wasting energy. Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux made the comment . "The whip is not a whip," "It's a noisemaker." Regardless, I'm not sure how it will all workout without using them at all. I trust this will be examine from many different angles, with many voicing their different perspectives in the racing world. Making this a wait and see type thing.
JSC
What I understand is that whipping or crop use will not be allowed at all except for the express purpose of safety. Safety is important. Most states already have strict rules and regulations in place, which were put into place over a decade ago as Sandra S. stated, so I'm not sure why it's necessary to end the use of crops altogether. California once had the strictest regulation in the country! Now NJ. I believe it's the activist that don't understand the changes already made. The crop they use today is as gentle as a marshmallow..
zephania666
I fear this will not work out as expected.
Crops are already well regulated, and serve as a useful signal without undue pain. They look a lot worse than they are.
In order to produce the same effect, in training the horse will have to respond to a different signal the same way. In most disciplines, this has resulted in unscrupulous trainers using MORE force MORE often during training, in order to get the horse to associate a signal with pain so that in the race that signal will be respected and reacted to appropriately.