Ministry suggests use of shock-absorbing whips

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, OCT. 7. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has outlined several measures it wants racing industry to implement without loss of time on the use of shock-absorbing whips in place of traditional ones.

The ministry guidelines on the use of whips were made known to a delegation of industry bigwigs at a meeting with the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ms Maneka Gandhi in New Delhi on October 5.

Contending that the indiscriminate use of the whalebone led to grievous injuries to horses, the Ministry told the industry to introduce strict regulations over the use of the whips and as a first measure proposed the mandatory use of the shock-absorbing whips by all the turf clubs. The industry response to these fresh guidelines is likely to be formalised at a meeting of the Chairmen of turf clubs at Pune on October 14.

Representatives from Madras, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Calcutta turf clubs attended the Delhi meeting with the Minister.

The Ministry has proposed setting up of a panel of qualified veterinarians and representatives of Animal Welfare organisations at each racing centre to adjudge the whip marks inflicted on horses. The other eight clauses enlisted are:

1. No whip other than a shock-absorbing one be used.

2. A limit of three blows on any horse in any race.

3. Disqualification of a winner or placed horses struck improperly or too often.

4. Introduction of one ``no whips'' race per day.

5. Making it an offence to use the whip other than either on the quarters in forehand or backhand positions or down the shoulder in backhand position (the jockey must have the reins in both hands and only use the backhand position).

6. Making it an offence to use the whip with the arm above shoulder level.

7. A system of totting up offences against jockeys so as to initiate action against habitual offenders.

8. Whips to be used by licenced jockeys only and deny its use to riding boys and apprentices.

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