Actually, Horses Might Not Like Being Whipped After All

An independent study has found horses are in actuality thin-skinned and feel pain when struck by whips, challenging the horse racing industry’s previous stance of, “Don’t worry about it.”

A veterinary pathologist and forensics researcher from the University of Sydney conducted the study for the ABC show Catalyst. It is one of the first investigations of its kind.

Dr. Lydia Tong found the pain-sensing fibres are thicker in humans than in horses, defying long-held assumptions about both animals. If you’re wondering why that’s a big deal, you’re lucky enough to have never endured a whipping. Race horses, however, don't have that luxury.

The big difference between man and horse, however, is that horses – who evolved as prey – have became expert at hiding their pain.

“If a prey animal shows its pain very overtly, they are more likely to then be noticed and picked out by a predator,” Dr. Tong said.

“I think we should assume that [whipping is] likely to be painful.”

Padded whips were introduced to horse racing in 2009, as were regulations limiting the number of strikes made against a horse during the race.  (That is, unless the jockey is holding the whip in a “backhanded" fashion; in that case, they are welcome to go nuts.)

This new research suggests these rules are doing little to minimise the horse’s pain.

Something to keep in mind next Melbourne Cup.