Section 71IAC7.5-6-1. Equipment

   (a) All riding crops are subject to inspection and approval by the stewards and the clerk of scales.

(1) Riding crops shall have shaft and flap and will be allowed in flat racing including training, only as follows:

(A) maximum weight of eight (8) ounces;

(B) maximum length of thirty (30) inches;

(C) shaft maximum diameter of the shaft of one-half (1/2) inch; and

(D) shaft contact area must be smooth, with no protrusion or raised surface and covered by shock absorbing material that gives a compression factor of at least one-quarter (1/4) millimeter throughout its circumference.

(2) The flap is the only allowable attachment to the shaft and must meet these specifications:

(A) length beyond the end of the shaft a maximum of one (1) inch;

(B) width a minimum of eight-tenths (0.8) inch and a maximum of one and six-tenths (1.6) inches;

(C) no reinforcements or additions beyond the end of the shaft;

(D) no binding within seven (7) inches of the end of the shaft; and

(E) shock absorbing characteristics similar to those of the contact area of the shaft.

  (b) No bridle shall exceed two (2) pounds.

  (c) A horse's tongue may be tied down with clean bandages, gauze, or a tongue strap.

  (d) No licensee may add blinkers to a horse's equipment or discontinue their use without the prior approval of the starter.

  (e) The use of Gelocast and/or like materials as a racing bandage or the use of Gelocast and/or like materials in conjunction with traditional materials to form a racing bandage is prohibited.

  (f) Any nontraditional material incorporated into a racing bandage must be approved by the official veterinarian, or his/her designee.

  (g) Blinker cups must be a minimum of one and one-half (1 1/2) inches. (Indiana Horse Racing Commission; 71 IAC 7.5-6-1; emergency rule filed Jun 15, 1995, 5:00 p.m.: 18 IR 2870, eff Jul 1, 1995; emergency rule filed Jun 22, 1998, 5:13 p.m.: 21 IR 4234; emergency rule filed Jun 22, 2000, 3:05 p.m.: 23 IR 2781; readopted filed Oct 30, 2001, 11:50 a.m.: 25 IR 899; emergency rule filed Feb 21, 2003, 4:15 p.m.: 26 IR 2384; emergency rule filed Jan 21, 2004, 2:30 p.m.: 27 IR 1919; readopted filed Mar 23, 2007, 11:31 a.m.: 20070404-IR-071070030RFA; emergency rule filed Mar 19, 2009, 11:07 a.m.: 20090401-IR-071090195ERA, eff Mar 12, 2009 [IC 4-22-2-37.1 establishes the effectiveness of an emergency rule upon filing with the Publisher. LSA Document #09-195(E) was filed with the Publisher March 19, 2009.]; emergency rule filed Mar 3, 2011, 11:50 a.m.: 20110309-IR-071110100ERA; readopted filed Nov 26, 2013, 11:25 a.m.: 20131225-IR-071130345RFA)