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25 February 2012 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) this week has almost totally retreated from the strengthened whip rules it introduced only four months ago. Now the case for an outright whip ban is stronger than ever. Animal Aid in the UK has launched a new international viral campaign calling for a ban on the whip. This initiative has so far seen support from animal advocacy groups in Australia, France, Germany and the Republic of Ireland – countries which have strong horseracing industries.

The video Whips Hurt, produced by Animal Aid follows the theme of that, despite industry claims, the whip does hurt horses and should be banned.

To watch the Animal Aid video Whipping Hurts click here.

The RSPCA has long believed that the racing industry can celebrate great horsemanship without whipping. Jockeys are elite athletes and should not have to rely on the whip to get the best out of their horses.

In 2011 a University of Sydney review revealed that whipping a horse does not increase its chances of placing and that in fact horses fun their fastest when they are not being whipped. Despite these results whipping horses in the name of sport still continues.

For more information on the RSPCA’s position on whips see here.

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