We as trotting / harness racing fans,punters and / or participants,should be aware that on Tuesday and Wednesday last week a number of animal welfare groups,and related industrial ,pastoral and pleasure participants gathered to discuss what could be described as "broad spectrum animal welfare".
It was in 1991 that the AUSTRALIAN HARNESS RACING COUNCIL conducted a travelling inquiry titled "A WORKING PARTY ON WHIPS".This "working party" was chaired by Mr Justice ALF GORAN. QC.(ret),ably assisted by Mr KEN DYER of AHRC.To assist this inquiry,licencees,Australia wide,were encouraged to submit their views on the use of whips in trotting / harness racing.The working party indicated that as many licencees as was practicable,would actually attend sessions of the "working party" as it moved from state to state,and their submissions be discussed individually.
THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED...The problem lay in the fact that,in 1991,there were aproximately 8000 licencees in Australia,and only TWO (2) had an opinion strong enough to pen a submission.FRED KERSLEY,a leading West Australian reinsman,basically supported the status quo,on the grounds that not only did owners want their horses driven out strongly, so did the punters.
The other submission,from the bottom of the pile in Queensland,suggested that the whip and rein be held in one hand,and used in a gentle fashion..
We missed the boat in 1991.There is another one leaving soon,very soon.THE WHIP IS A VALUABLE TOOL OF "COMMUNICATION" BETWEEN DRIVER AND HORSE.If we do not act now,to severely curtail the negative aspects of whip use,WE WONT HAVE WHIPS AT ALL.
The rules,as they stand,have failed in all aspects.New RULES,(not "para-laws",open to a thousand interpretations) must be drafted.They must be clear and concise,and they must be "ZERO TOLERANCE".That's what we have patrol films for..IDENTIFIABLE,INCORRECT USE OF THE WHIP,should bring the appropriate and automatic penalty.Denis..