WHIP AND SPUR.

NZ Truth, Issue 65, 15 September 1906, Page 2

WHIP AND SPUR.

theory and Logic.

During the last season or two a few sporting writers and private individWs have, through the medium of ,the Press, denounced the excessive use of the whip and spur on racehorses. It has been argued that the quadruped m question is docile, dutiful and intelligent enough to produce his best form without the application of corporal punishment. There' is, however, a diversity of opinion on the subject although it has been suggested by one or two 'writers that it might be advisable for racing clubs to consider the question of abolishing the mop and the hooks, it is unlikely that an" number of racing: men would deem it worthy of debate. There is no gainsaying the fact that horses occasionally show the effects of the 'spurs ver^ plainly and m isolated cases- the flai-1 has- produced blood, but the nature of the beast, and proper treatment at the hands of his -trainer, soon rectify this and prove the matter to.be of no serious consequence.

Certain laz^ animals have been used to vigorous punishment through-j out the major distance of some races and appear to have benefited by the treatment. Amono- this 'class may be mentioned Halbadier, Royal Conqueror, and more notably the Melbourne Cv" winner. Blue Spec.

On the other hand. a more delicate temperament may Iresentf harsh treatment so that the whip and the "bloody spur cannot provoke him on." It is worths to remark ' that the chestnut horse Achilles, though he has competed m 33 races, has never been ridden save with hands and heels, while the famous English joqkey, C. Wood, is credited with riding, all his mounts m this fashion. Ja the old country recently o prominent horseman was arraigned before one of the n-overning bodies and. warned for a too severe treatment of his mount', while m parts of the Commonwealth the charge is ■ more olten lack of severity m riding out. The stewards may be judicious enough to discriminate between the use and the abuse of the whip and spur, but jockeys . may argue, and logically too, that they (the jockeys) are.better qualified to do so, since they have served their time at the game and know the individual requirements of each horse.'

Many and many, a horse has been trained to do wonderful things, by a, gentle word from his master, and it is reasonable to assume that if the hooks : and the stick were abolished the ordinary racehorse could be taught to do his best without their help. After all nothing can be more attractive than an honest set-to between horse and horse, while jockeys sit as still as the proverbial rock. In any case it ,is well to remind stewards of racing clubs that it is within their power, and it is their duty, to severlv punish any jockey who makes too free with his "hogslogger" on a beaten horse.