Although the HWB didn’t state the offences or a recommended level of punishment for infringements, repeat offences of misuse of the whip, use of the whip above head hight and whip modification are a focus of the Welfare Board . In the Horse Welfare Board’s long term plan for the sport, the Board have for the first time, took an integrated approach to animal welfare. Chaired by the former president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr Barry Johnson, the Board has tackled some of the sport’s most contentious issues.
Included in the 130-page strategy are recommendations on areas such as the euthanasia of injured horses, improving the traceability of thoroughbreds throughout their lives and addressing safety concerns of horses while in the starting stalls.
The report also highlighted the need for consultation in regards to course design, calling for “continued, continuous improvement of obstacle design” in jump racing while also stating the need for a code of conduct to be introduced for the sport.
Another suggestion the report makes is the introduction of a welfare benchmarking tool. The HWB says a practical checklist that allows those responsible for the care of thoroughbreds to self-assess welfare levels against a common benchmark, using this the Board claim would drive consistency and to facilitate the sharing of best practice.
Collaboration is a big theme in the report with the HWB stating that more emphasis is placed on working with others where control is limited to minimise welfare risks. It suggests working with other equine sports and sectors on collaborative approaches, working with sales houses to ensure a responsible approach to overseas sales and to restrict sales or exports where there is evidence of risk. The Board also recommend increased education and support to rehomers.
In total, the ‘A life well lived’ report, details 25 key projects currently being undertaken by the HWB.
Despite the wide-ranging nature of the report, it is the controversial use of the whip by jockeys that will be the focus for many. Campaigners have long called for the practice to stop, and in recent years many famous personalities have added their voices to the debate.
BBC presenter, Clare Balding said, “I’m in favour of no whip or no whip after the last fence, which is what I’ve suggested to the BHA and the jockeys”. The broadcaster, journalist and author said the desire was to make the sport look beautiful, something that was difficult to achieve with the use of the whip and super slow-motion footage.
The former jockey revealed that her opinions on the use of the whip had changed when Ruby Walsh won on Big Buck’s at Cheltenham. In that race, the whip was dropped by the jockey and couldn’t be used. Balding described the finish as the best of the meeting.
