As long as drivers carry a whip, there will always be controversy. I have been driving horses for 50 years and can tell you that some horses surely need a wake up call but how the pilot can deliver it is the question. The great ones, always knew how to do it without much fanfare. I remember Herve would come back with a horse and you would never even see him whipping however inside the right stifle, you would find 3 surgical like lacerations. Other drivers would be sure to get a horses respect or attention before the start so that just the threat of the whip will make a horse go on. I have told clients to put on another driver because I felt the horse was cheating on me and they needed someone to wake them up! Some drivers are definitely better on rats that don't try. I've gotten a few whip infractions over the years and yes they were well deserved as they were often administered out of frustration because I was displeased with a horses effort. Todays drivers have developed a technique where they can lay into one while keeping both hands in the handholds! I guess there will always be controversy and rules which, by the way, vary from track to track and it is wise to bone up on them before the race as it can get very expensive. The one thing that I can say for certain is that carrying a whip is mandatory as any driver that lost his early in the race can attest. Slapping one with the lines will only get you so far!
