The German Modern Pentathlon Coach got banned from the Olympics for hitting the horse Saint Boy with her fist, with what looked like, one hit. However, both the first and second riders of the horse Saint Boy, hit the horse with the riding whip at least 10 times each, minimum. In fact a number of other riders in the event, also hit their mounts with their whips but have not been penalized.

Recent studies (See links below), show that horses feel as much pain as a human would when whipped. Whips can cause bruising and inflammation. Although, horses do have resilient skin. This does not mean that their skin is insensitive as a horse can easily feel a fly landing on its skin. Repeated striking with a whip (of any type) in the same area of the body has the potential to cause localized trauma and tissue damage, the extent of which will increase with the force of the strike and the number of repetitions.

Whips and Spurs are typically used as a form of Negative reinforcement but are often inadvertently used as a form of punishment and inflict pain upon a horse. This is evident by both riders of Saint Boy. Both riders did not give clear aids to Saint Boy confusing the horse with conflicting aids of simultaneous push (Whips and Spurs) and pull (Short tight reins). Both riders effectively taught that horse, that there is no correct answer to stop the pain resulting in a horse that is desensitized to the rider’s ever increasing aids. Hence, the lack of willingness by the horse to move forward.

Horses can't use words and rely on their body language to communicate with humans. It is up to humans to read a horses body language and understand when a horse has had enough. If Simone Biles can say no to competing why are horses not allowed to say no? Why do humans need to hit horses with whips to force a horse to do something it does not want to do?

Furthermore, Why is it unacceptable for coach to hit a horse but riders are allowed to hit horses? It is illogical that one has been banned but the others have not. Therefore, I ask that the International Olympic Committee ban the use of Whips and Spurs at the Olympics.

Links to studies on Whip use:

A Critical Analysis of the British Horseracing Authority’s Review of the Use of the Whip in Horseracing

An Investigation of Racing Performance and Whip Use by Jockeys in Thoroughbred Races

Is Whip Use Important to Thoroughbred Racing Integrity? What Stewards' Reports Reveal about Fairness to Punters, Jockeys and Horses.

Whip Use by Jockeys

Stronger, Faster, Higher: Whips, Spurs and Ethical Equitation