While we’re on the subject of whips, here’s a piece of news that has gladdened my heart. The Guardian reports:
Flat race jockeys in the United Kingdom will be required to use an innovative new whip when the new season starts in April, it was revealed yesterday. The shock-absorbing whip which helps protect horses from injury is being made mandatory by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.
I’m all in favour of being nice to horses, though I would mostly like to find out what a shock-absorbing whip would feel like when used on me.
These new whips are specially designed by Old Mill Whips, though they aren’t listed on their site yet, as far as I could tell.
Amusingly, the same company also makes the so called Tuff Whips: “A robust whip that is built to withstand lots of work and wear.” The images I get when the phrase plays in my mind have nothing to do with horses, either.
That tuff stuff you’ve mentioned looks a lot like our crop, only it came from a BDSM store and may not be actually that tuff. But it’s serious – I am not sure why everyone else always says that a crop is a moderate tool…
Their dressage crop looks pretty darn good, too:
The point of the new-style race whips is that they don’t leave marks – any jockey marking a horse in the UK these days is almost guaranteed a “holiday” by the stewards (a few days’ suspension, more if it’s a repeat offence). This has been coming for a few years now and, in racing welfare terms, is good news. But I don’t think the spankos who also purchase such implements for their own designs will be so thrilled at the prospect of no marks
Incidentally, Rob will no doubt correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think the Aussies are encumbered by any such “namby-pamby do-gooder regulation” (as they are inclined to view ours!). Their jockeys still get stuck in in the good old red-blooded style of old, remaining exponents of that well-known whipping technique “the windmill” – originally exported throughout the world by our own Lester Piggott in his heyday.
Ah, the expert has spoken
Actually, quite a few people would love to have the no-marks option. You know, the ones who have to be spanked on the sly, or have a doctor’s appointment the following day, or whatever. An implement that leaves no marks can prove a real blessing.
Do you mean minxette is an expert in horse-racing or in being whipped?
I did mean horse-racing at this instance, but she takes a whipping every so nicely, too
Minxette: I’ve been a racegoer all my life and to my knowledge there are no regulations here re use of whips on horses other than being judicious. Jockeys who manage to get to the line first just waving it in the air and not actually using it are considered ‘masters’ at their craft. Something Abel might want to ponder!!!
Rob, are you kidding? Do you want me to die of unsatisfied spanko cravings? What a nightmare! LOL
Giggle giggle! Better use the delete button. Silly idea.
Indeed: a jockey who waves his whip as a means of encouragement without it connecting is considered an expert; a top who does so is considered inept!
And actually Haron has a point here: maybe there is after all a market for the new air-cushioned whips amongst us pervs too, for those “can’t be marked” occasions or if “playing away” 😉
“on the sly”, “playing away” Oh dear! I can already hear the lecture reminding me of the modus operandi in this neck of the woods!!
I don’t want the unmarking version thank you very much, I love the marks left by…well by soooooo many things really, I also have fond memories of the Doctors appointment when said marks (forgotten about until that moment) made him raise a puzzled eyebrow and I could only return his look with an embarrassed little smile, I wanted to curl up and die just then, but now it makes me giggle to recall… and I’m very tempted to ask for a peek at my notes to see if anything was written!
Marks are great, I agree, but remember, the crop was not designed for ladies craving romantic discipline! (I bet still marks like crazy).
They have a comment on one of their whips: “Please note that these are not allowed to be used in the UK”.
Now there’s a challenge, if ever I read one…