Whip (stick) rules for jockeys and pink square

Question
How soon during a race can a jockey start using the whip (stick) in a thoroughbred four and a half furlong or longer horse race?  Two furlong or quarter horse race? How many times can whip (stick) be used on the thoroughbred race horse during the race?  What are the whip (stick) rules? Some horses have reflective tape on their noses; what is the reflective tape for?  Many horses have a pink square in their nostrils; what is the pink square for?

Answer
hi-- well i am not sure , but i think it is 50 feet from the gate and also it may be the starters preference. i am not sure how many times a jock can hit the horse with his whip, but i know some riders are whip happy . i don't know anything about reflective tape on a horses nose, that is something new to me. i think you are seeing the pink color of the inside of the nostril, that is all. hope this helps you.  thanks ED HESS