Well done for having 2 off the track, did you ride work/ work in the industry or just a bit of pony club? a show jumping bat or dressage whip will do more damage than a racing whip. They are padded and yes they will feel it it but it doesn't hurt them. Bad hands on Muppet amateur riders will do worse.

Previous whips, used many years ago did hurt. Racing authorities realized they weren't good and changed what jockeys could use. The new ones make a noise, good for getting a horses attention back on the job, or straightening them if they are drifting. I would imagine in the next few years, whip use will be banned due to outside pressures and welfare laws within the industry.

This might surprise but most racehorses love their job. Ours love their swims, their trips to the track, their massages, their chiro visits and their food. Those that don't have ability or the aptitude find homes as sport horses. Do you want to ban all riding then?

It's awful watching horses get injured at any time. They do horrific injuries in the paddock playing with their mates, going for a canter down the beach and even worse injuries in the wild where there's no ability to quickly put them down.

The majority of jockeys do not use spurs and the racing whips do not hurt when you get smacked with them. Not sure if you have ever had to handle a TB colt, using a bit is best for the safety of both horse and handler.