Australia likely to introduce cushioned whips

The Australian Racing Board has released draft measures and is seeking submissions.

The measures include the use of padded whips only, which are likely to be similar to those used in the United Kingdom.

There are several other new requirements proposed by the Australian Racing Board (ARB), including tighter limits on the circumstances in which a whip can be used and harsher penalties for excessive or inappropriate use.

The deadline for submissions is January 30, with a report expected from the ARB chief executive by February 16.

New rules are expected to be adopted by the ARB at its March meeting.

However, the group Animal Liberation condemned the use of whips and said in a statement it was opposed to horse racing.

"It is a national disgrace that racehorses in Australia have continued to be subjected to physical pain and psychological stress despite a view expressed by the Senate Select Committee into welfare of horses in 1991 that whips should be eliminated as a means of making a horse run faster," the group said.

"It is widely acknowledged that the whip causes physical pain and psychological stress including an inherent sense of panic to racehorses.

"It is also well documented that race horses are plagued by lameness, stomach ulcers and internal bleeding of the lungs. Such documentation is indicative that they are routinely pushed far beyond their natural limitations."