NSPCA calls for more action against animal abuse in horse racing

CAPE TOWN - The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) is calling for more action against animal abuse in horse racing.   

The council has launched a campaign titled "Rein in the Pain" to address the cruelty in South Africa’s horse racing scene.  

It states that although most equestrian sports wait for full skeletal maturity from the young horses before allowing them to be used in sporting games, this is not applied to racehorses.

Though jockeys face a fine for excessive whipping, there are no long-term repercussions.  

NSPCA's consulting veterinarian, Dr Bryce Marock, said riders who overwhip horses must be permanently banned from the sport.  

“The crop, that's another very contentious issue. The industry will tell you that the crop is needed for direction, but they've limited nine to twelve strikes. So, if they're mainly only hitting the horses in the last 200 to 400 metres, why do they need to control in the last 200 metres before?”