‘Savage': Video shows former Australian Olympian whipping horse 42 times

Equestrian Australia is investigating former Australian Olympian Heath Ryan over a video that shows him whipping a horse 42 times.
The footage was originally shared to US-based Facebook account Dressage Hub, before being taken down and re-uploaded to their YouTube, where it has sparked outrage in the comments section.
A narrator over the footage claims that Ryan 'savagely' whipped the horse '42 times without stopping while in training. It was posted by a rider in Australia. Once the report was filed with Equestrian Australia, they asked her to remove the video, to cover it up.
'It's never-ending. This horse is completely shut down. It's traumatised in every state. This video infuriates me to the core, and I'm trying to remain calm.'
EA said it was investigating whether the incident broke its welfare policieswhich protect horses and riders from physical, social, and emotional harm, as well as the international code of conduct, which says horses 'must not be subjected to methods which are abusive or cause fear'.
Horse whipping is not allowed at elite levels and is heavily regulated against. Ryan could face permanent expulsion from EA and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports if he is found to have breached the code.
'Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage,' the organisation said in a statement.
'The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia. EA is currently investigating this matter ... and will have more to say about the matter when we have more information.'

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