Published:
January 7, 2011 11:23 am EST
"Mine was basically like a noodle kids hit each other with in a pool. I went to a meeting, I had Bill O'Donnell behind me, John Campbell, Stan Bergstein...and it just fell on deaf ears."
On today's Trot Radio episode, Norm Borg talks to driver Gord Brown about a modified whip he developed for harness racing that was designed to be gentler on a horse. Why does Brown feel his project didn't get support? The full interview is available below.
Please note that the opinions expressed in the following interview are those of the participant and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.
Episode 172 – driver Gord Brown
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
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Extend the saddle pads and
Extend the saddle pads and there would be no need for change, most of the drivers have slack lines for the sole purpose of hitting the hide of the horse, I know many will say it is not enough protection but I would believe it is, also the commison should fine and suspend the drivers who release their frustration out on the horse, I for one want to see all horses driven to win but when the drivers gets parked out the entire mile I find it absolutley disgusting when at the 3/4 when the horse begins to labour the driver is pounding the horse right till the wire. The rules were fine the way they were but were no enforced and even still are not being enforced, the rules say one hand in each hand hold the entire mile and i have seen a driver take his hand out of the handhold move back further on the line and hit the horse, what happens to the rules being black and white?
It is easier to lie to the
It is easier to lie to the non race goers with such comments as they arent hitting the horse or the horse doesnt really feel the whip than make meaningful change. I think a simulation the next time you go to the orc would be in order. Everyone who thinks that your more humane whip doesnt matter gets to recieve one good smack with the old whip or two good smacks with your whip.
I would bet that every offical would choose the two smacks from your whip and maybe since whips dont hurt maybe we can scare the ORC into doing the right thing and start protecting the horses who cant vote for their own welfare.
My other suggestion Gord is to start using your whip and i think you would be amazed at the number of owners who might tell their trainer to list Gord Brown
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Gord Brown is on the right
Gord Brown is on the right track, in more ways than one. Gordie has carried on with the family tradition of being a great horsemen and driver and Norm f.y.i. Gord used to operate a premier stable on the OJC circuit in the 80's with a few pretty decent horses including a Free For Aller named Perfect Out.
I had the privliege and pleasure of working for many years with both his brother Doug and his late father Stan and learned a lot from them so whatever success Gord has it started with a great foundation and some God-given talent to train and drive. It's not surprising to me that he would come up with an idea for a more humane whip because the one thing the Brown's always had was a great respect for their animals.
I feel a little guilty sometimes since I was one of the first ones complaining about harsh and abusive treatment to the horses and went to the inaugural meeting or two for the new whipping rules. All I wanted to do was to punish the habitual offenders so they would think the next time before they started mindlessly clubbing on one. What I did not want was everyone else in the sport, horsemen and gamblers alike to suffer because of over-reaction. Public perception needed to be taken into account and was with a slight overreach by the regulators but what has changed except no more one-handed shots. I see even worse abuses some nights continuing in new and unique ways with between the legs shots etc. with these synthetic whips that are really cruel in my opinion.
I saw the cushion crop as used by the thoroughbreds that didn't as Gord says his whip will, make a noice but doesn't bruise or damage a horse's hide. It seemed like a good thing and doesn't deter jockeys from getting the most out of their animals which the bettor expects.
Gord'swhip is a great idea which only will add to the public perception that horsemen truly care about their animals and have listened and are respectful of those who find some aspects of racing distasteful. Well done Gord.
go to the HPI channels and
go to the HPI channels and watch the US racing and then flip to the Canadian races
R. Pierce whaling away on the back of the horse or R. Waples placing the whip on the back and just pressing it against the horse.. both won and went in .51 ...and both gentlemen playing within the rules
As an owner I would be picking the chap from Ontario...
Gord Brown's whip along with the whipping rule ...Is better for the horses, owners and the fans...and future bettors
Great work and thanks for the catch drive at Rideau for Jason G.
Sounds like a great idea to
Sounds like a great idea to me as most drivers in my opolnon aren't trying to hurt the horse but only scare him,spook him into giving their maximum effort so as long as the whip is strong enough and flexible and not too cumbersome it could be something worth looking into.