Section 1734 - Use of Driving Whip(a) No driver shall use unreasonable force in whipping a horse, nor whip any horse causing welts or breaks in the skin, nor whip any horse about the head, nor whip any horse after the finish line has been crossed except when necessary to control the horse.(b) Whipping shall be restricted to elbow and wrist action only, and the following actions regarding the use of the whip are prohibited: (1) Raising the elbow above the driver's shoulder height.(2) Allowing the hand holding the whip to reach behind the driver during the use of the whip.(3) Use of the whip other than on the area inside and above the level of the shafts of the sulky and between the sulky shafts.(4) Whipping under the arch of the shafts of the sulky.(5) Use of the whip as a goading or poking device between the legs of the horse.(6) Use of the whip when the horse does not appear to be advancing through the field of horses or is no longer in contention for purse money.(7) Use of the whip more than two times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond before using the whip again.(8) Use of the whip more than six times during a race, excluding showing or waiving the whip.(c) The driver must keep a line in each hand, except as may be necessary to adjust authorized equipment, which may include, but is not limited to, pulling ear plugs and dropping blinkers, beginning when the horse is behind the starting gate and continuing through the finish of the race. The lines must remain reasonably taut during the entire race.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 4, § 1734
1. Amendment filed 2-8-93; operative 3-10-93 (Register 93, No. 7).
2. Amendment filed 10-13-2016; operative 1-1-2017 (Register 2016, No. 42).
3. Amendment of section heading, new subsections (b)(7)-(8), amendment of subsection (c), repealer of subsection (d) and amendment of NOTE filed 11-22-2022; operative 1-1-2023 (Register 2022, No. 47). Note: Authority cited: Sections 19420 and 19440, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 19440 and 19563, Business and Professions Code.
1. Amendment filed 2-8-93; operative 3-10-93 (Register 93, No. 7).
2. Amendment filed 10-13-2016; operative 1/1/2017 (Register 2016, No. 42).
3. Amendment of section heading, new subsections (b)(7)-(8), amendment of subsection (c), repealer of subsection (d) and amendment of NOTE filed 11-22-2022; operative 1/1/2023 (Register 2022, No. 47).