Horses Feel The Same Pain From Whips As Humans Do, Study Finds

The first-of-its-kind scientific report into the nature of pain caused by the whip during horse racing has found humans and horses have equivalent pain detectors in their skin.

Whilst it may be obvious to many of us that horses feel pain when whipped, the horse racing industry around the world continues to encourage and endorse the whipping of these gentle animals during lucrative races. 

Now, a new scientific report that looks into the nature of the pain horses feel when whipped, shows the science is clear: not only do horses feel the pain of the whip, but their pain receptors in their skin is similar to that of humans. 

"Humans and horses have the equivalent basic anatomic structures to detect pain in the skin," states the report, authored by Paul McGreevy, the Professor of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science at the University of Sydney.

Professor McGreevy says the peer-reviewed study is the first of its kind in the world, as confirming the exact pain caused by the whip has often been regarded as “one of the holy girls in equine welfare”. 

The study compared the nerve endings in horse and human skin as a way to measure the pain. 

“Although horse skin is thicker overall than human skin, the part of the skin that is thicker does not insulate horses from pain that is generated during a whip strike," Professor McGreevy said.

Ultimately, the report finds that "horses and humans have the equivalent basic anatomical structures to detect pain in the skin".

Professor McGreevy also recently published another paper which compared the results of “whipping-free” races and “whipping-permitted” races. Interestingly, his results showed “no significant difference to the movement of horses to the left or right across the course, the safety of jockeys and even the finishing times of races."

It is hoped that this new research, commissioned by animal welfare group RSPCA Australia, will help lead the industry away from using painful whips on horses. 

In response to the study’s findings however, Kevin Ring, the Work Health and Safety Officer for the Australian Jockey’s Association told ABC Australia, that "I've hit myself with a padded whip and other people, it doesn't hurt. It's only there as a noise thing to encourage the horse. Without the use of a whip, the horses learn to do whatever they like and that's quite dangerous."

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