Upon further understanding on the origins of this, it appears to have come from the Jockey's Guild which originally was opposed to the rule in limiting the use of crops. I'm so woozy...
PDF of the letter
http://www.latimes.com/la-sp-jockeys...5-acrobat.html
LA Times article
https://www.latimes.com/sports/more/...405-story.html
'The move appears to be an attempt to satisfy a public that finds the optics of a horse being hit with a riding crop disturbing. The jockeys contend the new cushioned crop does not hurt a horse and is more of a noise maker to focus the animal.'
