Comment

Comment by Debra McDaid on February 10, 2011 at 7:34pm

As someone who has fought against horse abuse in racing for over 20years, I am so glad that they did this study.  For the 21 years of my marrigage I have heard my husband tell me and anyone that will listen that there is no point in hitting a "dead" (tired) horse... they don't even feel it at that point... it is just one more pain, just one more hurt that they are enduring... as they are so tired that they are numb... with the numbness and the lack of muscel power left to go on what could possibly be the point in flogging them???? it is so stupid!!! even if you don't care about horses, scientifically it is pointless to be hitting them with the whip at the end of the race, I think the whip should be taken out of racing period, but if a person if for it, the only time it actually works is early on when the horse is still physically aware... and in stb racing it is only allowed at the stretch when the horse is exhasted... therefore pointless!!!!  Whip free racing should be the only form of raceing alowed!!!  Bottom line.

 

deb mcdaid, owner of two stb horses, Tiocfaidh Ar La and Da Plane Boss.

Comment by Marlene Thoms on February 9, 2011 at 8:36pm

Great study. Perhaps someone could do a study on whether whipping the jockey repeatedly during a race makes any difference in how well they perform?