A scientific paper has shown horses have the capacity to feel as much pain from whipping as humans do.
The study has been published a little more than a week after the Melbourne Cup, which saw a horse euthanised and a jockey fined for whipping his horse too much.
Paul McGreevy, the Professor of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science at the University of Sydney, authored the study and said: "Humans and horses have the equivalent basic anatomic structures to detect pain in the skin.
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"Our conclusions are that we need to accept that the physical capacity of horses to accept pain is clear."
Professor McGreevy said he was looking to understand 'one of the holy grails in equine welfare - that is a sense of what horses may feel when they are contacted by a whip'.
He added: "There is physical evidence to inform the discussion and the debate around the ethics of whipping horses."
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While limits have been put in place to avoid heavy use of whips, the Melbourne Cup saw second place winner Kerrin McEvoy cop a $50,000 fine and a suspension from 13 race meetings following the race.
McEvoy pleaded guilty to whipping Tiger Moth 13 times before the 100-metre mark and 21 times in total, despite jockeys only permitted to whip their horse five times before the 100-metre mark. It was the largest fine given to a jockey in the Melbourne Cup's history.
Racing Victoria is reportedly leading a push to gradually phase out the use of whips altogether.
In a statement released in September, Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson said: "Australian racing has been left behind when it comes to reforms on whip use."
However, Racing NSW refuted Thompson's statements, with CEO Peter V'Landys recently saying that 'we've got to educate the public the whip doesn't hurt'. The latest scientific findings, however, seem to prove otherwise.
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The fine wasn't the only controversy of the Melbourne Cup, with race favourite Anthony Van Dyck being injured - and later euthanised - as a result of the race.
Racing Victoria's Executive General Manager of Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, confirmed the tragic death in a statement, saying: "It is with sadness that we confirm that Anthony Van Dyck had to be humanely euthanised after sustaining a fractured fetlock during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
"The horse received immediate veterinary care, however he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.
"Our sympathies are extended to the owners of Anthony Van Dyck, trainer Aidan O'Brien and all his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss."
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