Crisis Communication Toolkit
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Scenario:

Use of the Crop

The riding crop is one of the most visible, and misunderstood, tools in horse racing. From viral videos to heated headlines, public concern about its use isn’t going away – and if you work in racing, you will be asked about it.

This module breaks down the facts: what the crop is, how it’s used, how it’s regulated, and what the science says about its impact. It also gives you practical talking points, FAQs, and responses to common questions.

Fact Sheet

Manufacturing: Modern crops are built for sound, not pain

Rules mandate a limited-use, foam-cushioned crop.

Since 2021, all riding crops in U.S. Thoroughbred racing must comply with strict design standards set by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and now regulated under HISA. These whips are padded, lightweight, and specifically designed to make noise without causing harm.

Modern U.S. racing whips are carefully engineered to meet strict specifications. All riding crops must be soft-padded along the shaft and tip, usually by incorporating a dense foam cylinder at the end.

  • Maximum weight: 8 ounces.

  • Maximum length: 30 inches (including the foam tip).

  • Minimum shaft diameter: 0.375 inches (3/8″).

  • Shock absorption: The shaft beyond the grip must be smooth and covered with shock-absorbing material giving at least 1 mm of compression. A smooth foam cylinder attachment (with no metal or hard inserts) is the only allowed tip, extending about 1 inch past the shaft. This foam “popper” must be 0.8–1.6 inches in diameter and made of waterproof, UV-resistant foam that retains cushioning under all conditions.

Manufacturers must test their designs to ensure they meet compression and dimension standards.

This standardization means that, regardless of brand, modern U.S. racing crops look and function very much alike – a far cry from the thinner, stinging whips of decades past.

Evolution: How the crop has changed

Historically, whips were longer, more flexible, and had hard leather ends that could leave welts on a horse.

In 2008, The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee (an industry body) formally recommended replacing those with new “safety whips” featuring padded, shock-absorbing ends.

This prompted the adoption of padded crops in many jurisdictions. By the 2010s, virtually all U.S. tracks required the softer crops, and today only compliant padded whips are permitted.

Regulatory requirements: Federal standards

Since July 2022, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has implemented national rules for riding crops as part of its Racetrack Safety regulations.

These rules, authorized by federal law, supersede individual state rules in jurisdictions covered by HISA. They address both the equipment specifications and the proper use of the crop during races and training.

Under HISA’s uniform crop use rules, jockeys are limited in how and how often they can strike a horse for encouragement.

A maximum of 6 strikes in total during a race
No more than 2 strikes in immediate succession
Strikes must be below shoulder height and may only target the horse’s shoulder or hindquarters
Striking the horse on the head, flanks, or any location other than shoulder or hindquarters (except when necessary for immediate safety) is strictly prohibited, as is any excessive or brutal use

During a race, use of the riding crop is closely monitored by stewards – trained officials who review every ride in real time and via replay. If a jockey violates the rules, they face fines or suspensions, with all penalties transparently published and enforced under HISA regulations.

Enforcement: How misuse is penalised

Jockeys violating the usage limits face escalating penalties.

For example, striking 1-3 times over the limit is a Class 3 violation (typically a fine of ~$250 and a suspension) whereas more egregious overages lead to larger fines, multi-day suspensions, and even disqualification of the horse’s placement for purse purposes.

Repeat offenses accrue points that trigger longer suspensions under a tiered point system.

These stiff penalties, including loss of purse earnings for connections in more serious cases, were introduced to strongly deter riders from misuse. Stewards review race films and can also sanction any misuse (striking in the wrong place, using the handle, etc.) regardless of count.

Case in point: 2025 Kentucky Derby

Jockey Junior Alvarado exceeded HISA’s six-strike limit during his winning ride on Sovereignty, delivering eight strikes in total; a clear breach of Rule 2280(b)(2).
It was his second offense within 180 days, triggering a doubled penalty. The fine was set at 20% of his purse share, $62,000, and he was suspended for two Kentucky racing days by stewards at Churchill Downs.
If a jockey reaches ten strikes, they face automatic disqualification and loss of horse placement and purse money - demonstrating how rigid the enforcement structure is.

Key Messages

Strict rules, strong penalties

Limits on the number of strikes, the area of contact, and the use of the crop are enforced by stewards and safety officers in every race.

HISA’s rules cap crop use at six strikes in the final stretch, with escalating penalties for overuse. A one-to-three strike overage is a Class 3 violation, typically resulting in a fine and suspension. More severe breaches lead to larger fines, week-long suspensions, or loss of purse money. Even minor violations are tracked, and repeat offences trigger mandatory bans under a tiered points system.

In this year’s Kentucky Derby, the winning jockey received a $62,000 penalty for exceeding the strike limit by just one – showing how seriously rules are enforced, even at the sport’s biggest stage.

Modern crop is padded

Federal rules mandate that the crop must have a foam-padded end at least 0.5 inches thick and 7 inches long.

It cannot be modified, and stewards can inspect it at any time. The shaft is flexible and cannot be used for contact. This design limits the surface area and force of impact. Striking a horse with the handle, in an unauthorised area, or without a visible motion is penalised even if within the strike count.

These standards are based on research into force impact, ensuring crop use minimises the risk of harm.

Cue, not coercion

While the crop can be used to prompt a response, particularly in the final stages of a race, studies have shown its effect on performance is limited and inconsistent.

A 2020 review in Animals found no conclusive link between whip use and improved finishing times or placings.

Many jockeys say it helps regain concentration, correct drifting, or signal “now’s the time,” especially in a tight finish. But strict usage limits, enforced through penalties and steward oversight, ensure that motivation doesn’t cross into misuse. Riders are trained to use the crop with precision, and are sanctioned for overuse, incorrect positioning, or unsafe technique.

Reform is ongoing

HISA’s crop rules became the first national standard in U.S. racing history. They apply to all covered racetracks and are enforced with detailed documentation and steward oversight.

Outside of racing, crop use during training is under scrutiny, with tighter enforcement emerging at 2-year-old sale breezing sessions. Fasig‑Tipton has announced plans to ban whip use in under-tack shows starting in 2026.

While not every racetrack is under HISA regulation yet, public and industry pressure is pushing toward uniform standards across all states.

Possible Questions

The modern race crop is designed to be a non-painful cue – padded, lightweight, and regulated in how it’s used.

But even with that, limits exist for three reasons: to protect horses from any potential misuse, to ensure all jockeys compete under the same rules, and to show the public the sport takes animal welfare seriously.

The goal is cue, not punishment, and like any tool, a clear limit keeps its use consistent and ethical. The limit exists not because the crop is inherently cruel, but because clear, enforceable standards are the cornerstone of modern welfare practice.

Even if it doesn’t hurt, unlimited use would undermine the perception of care and open the door to reckless riding. So the rule isn’t just about the crop itself, it’s about how its use is perceived by the everyday American.

At racetracks covered by HISA, whip use is regulated not just during races, but also during training and timed workouts. Stewards and Safety Officers can review footage, inspect crops, and issue penalties for misuse.

Rules on number of strikes and correct technique still apply, so even in a quiet morning gallop, riders are expected to meet welfare standards.

Outside of regulated race meets, major sales companies have also taken action. In 2025, Fasig-Tipton formally prohibited crop use during under-tack shows across its juvenile sale.

Even with a padded crop, how it’s used matters. That’s why there are strict rules on force, technique, and where the crop can make contact.

The modern racing crop is padded and designed to flex, significantly reducing its potential to cause harm. But forceful or improper use – such as striking with the handle, using excessive arm motion, or hitting in prohibited areas like the head or flank – can still risk discomfort or injury. That’s why racing rules go beyond just counting strikes. Stewards review how a rider uses the crop, not just how often.

Violations of technique (e.g. striking outside permitted zones, using the crop with the arm above shoulder height, or hitting without allowing response time) are penalised regardless of total strike count. Penalties escalate with severity and can include fines, suspensions, and loss of purse money. This ensures jockeys are held accountable for both what they do and how they do it.

The racing crop is a tool jockeys use to cue a horse to focus, straighten up, or respond, especially in high-speed, high-stakes environments. It plays a crucial role in persuasion: reminding a horse to keep running, stay balanced, or avoid interference with others.

In the final stages of a race, when horses can tire and drift, this subtle tool helps maintain control. Removing it entirely could compromise safety — not only for the horse and rider, but for every competitor in the field.

That said, racing has moved aggressively to limit use.
Today, the crop can only be used six times for encouragement (never in consecutive strides) under national rules from HISA. Jockeys who go over face escalating penalties, including fines, suspensions, and even disqualification.

It’s about communicating with a 500kg animal travelling 40mph. The whip is permitted because it helps, and it’s regulated because welfare matters.

As of July 2023, all states and racetracks under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) follow the same national crop rules. These include limits on the number of strikes (no more than six per race), rules on where and how the crop can be used, and clear penalties for violations.

Before HISA, whip rules varied widely across states – creating confusion, inconsistency, and loopholes. The national standards now bring much-needed clarity and accountability for most of the industry.

However, some racetracks and states remain outside of HISA’s current jurisdiction. That means a few locations still operate under their own local rules, which may differ from the national standard. The long-term goal is to unify welfare and safety regulations across all U.S. racing jurisdictions.

Every race is reviewed by stewards, the officials tasked with upholding racing rules, and they’re specifically watching for whip use. Stewards assess not just how many times a jockey used the whip, but how they used it: the location, the technique, and whether it was used within the bounds of regulation.

Crop use is reviewed both manually (through race film) and through reports by the Safety Officer, who can inspect a jockey’s crop at any time. Any improper use, from going over the strike limit to using the handle or striking in the wrong place, is flagged and penalised.

Some jurisdictions also use slow-motion and multi-angle video footage to assist their review. In serious cases, crop use is evaluated by a review panel after the race day to determine if further penalties are warranted.