The Australian Racing Board has refused to participate in a University of Sydney proposal to conduct a study that would use thermographic cameras to determine if whip use causes pain and injury to a racehorse.
Paul McGreevy, professor of animal behaviour and animal welfare science, said he emailed Australian Racing
Board chief executive Peter McGauran on October 7 asking for permission to conduct a pilot study, in which up to 30 racehorses would be examined at a racetrack with a thermographic camera before they raced and, if the whip was used on them, new images would be taken after the race.
McGreevy received a one-sentence reply from McGauran thanking him for the request but stating that the ARB, which represents racing authorities throughout Australia, would not participate.
McGauran declared the ARB did not agree with work previously conducted by McGreevy, who does not believe whips should be used, adding: "Why would we put our reputation and credibility in the hands of an avowed enemy who is pursuing a research project only for the purpose of proving a preconceived position he has reached?"
McGreevy said he was not anti-horse racing and would look to conduct his research in India.
