Rule 3769-17-17 | Use of the whip.
(A) All drivers must keep a line in each hand beginning when the horse is behind the starting gate and continuing through the finish of the race.
(B) Whipping shall be restricted to elbow and wrist action only and the whipping arm shall not be raised above the driver's shoulder height.
(C) Drivers shall not move their whipping arm in an exaggerated manner and the lines shall remain reasonably taut during the race.
(D) Drivers shall not use the whip below the level of the shaft, forward of the race bike's wheels.
(E) Drivers shall not place the whip between the horse's legs.
(F) Drivers shall not strike another horse or driver with the whip.
(G) Drivers shall not use the handle of a whip on a horse.
(H) Drivers are permitted to use their hand or the whip in a sliding or gliding manner above the level of the shaft.
(I) Drivers shall not use the whip on a tired horse, on a horse that is not visibly responding, or when a horse is not in contention in a race.
(J) Drivers shall not use the whip without giving the horse time to respond to a previous application of the whip.
(K) Whips shall be no longer than forty-eight inches with the cracker no longer than six inches in length. Only a conventional cracker shall be permitted. No leather or unusual materials may be used. The conventional cracker shall not be knotted and tape is only permitted on the handle of the whip. All other modifications of the whip are prohibited.
(L) Excessive, indiscriminate, visibly injurious, or abusive use of the whip is prohibited.
(M) In addition to the penalties provided in rule 3769-17-99 of the Administrative Code, the violation of any of the provisions in this rule may result in loss of placement or disqualification.
Last updated March 22, 2023 at 10:03 AM
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