ARCI Guidelines for Construction and Use of Racing Crops

In order to support humane treatment of racehorses and to guarantee that the wagering public is informed about factors that influence performance, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has developed guidelines regarding racing crop construction and use.

Crops carried in training and racing are subject to inspection and approval by racing stewards and clerks of the scales. The crops must be no longer than 30 inches, having a shaft at least 3/8 of an inch in diameter. The shaft must be smooth and is to be covered with shock-absorbing material. The crop must have an end flap that is no longer than an inch, and this part of the whip must also have shock-absorbing characteristics similar to those of the shaft.

Jockeys are not required to carry or use a crop during races, but if a jockey does not carry a crop, this fact must be announced over the track’s public address system before the race. The crop is to be used only for safety, correction, and encouragement, and in a manner consistent with the jockey’s best efforts to win. The jockey is to show the horse the crop and give it time to respond before striking the horse. After using the crop, the jockey is to give the horse time to respond before using it again. The crop is to be applied only to the horse’s shoulder or hindquarters, not its face or flanks.

Use that is deemed to be brutal or excessive is prohibited. The crop is not to be used to strike another horse or jockey, and is not to be used on a horse persistently if the horse is clearly out of the race or has obtained its maximum placing.

Horses are subject to inspection after the race, and those that show cuts, welts, or bruised caused by the crop will be reported to the racing stewards. Some studies have indicated that, in most instances, use of a crop does not actually affect the outcome of a race.