Australian Olympian and national champion Heath Ryan suspended over ‘alarming' whipping video
An Olympian and Australian dressage champion has been suspended after video emerged of him whipping a horse at his property in New South Wales.
In a v ideo uploaded by DressageHub, Australian Grand Prix champion Heath Ryan can be seen in a short video allegedly whipping a horse 42 times in a matter of minutes.
Heath Ryan made his Olympic debut at the age of 50 at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Ryan had previously been the assistant coach of the Australian Team at the Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.
Ryan coached the eventing teams to gold medals in Atlanta and Sydney. He competed in individual and team dressage at the 2008 Beijing Games, placing 35th and eighth respectively.
Ryan is also a popular commentator for various events, including Equestrian news sites such as Equestrian Life for his ' Ryan's Rave' opinion pieces.
Equestrian Australia, Australia's sporting body for the equestrian Olympic sports, has been quick to suspend Ryan pending further investigations and are 'alarmed' by the actions seen in the video.
'Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage,' they said in a statement to 7NEWS.com.au.
'Equestrian Australia's Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy includes high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions during all EA endorsed equestrian activities that are conducted under the auspices of EA or by any EA affiliate.
'We also have a Code of Conduct which requires participants to adhere to the FEI code of conduct for the welfare of the horse.
'The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia.
'Equestrian Australia has this afternoon imposed a provisional suspension of this person's membership of Equestrian Australia and their rights, privileges and benefits associated with their membership.'
Ryan is now banned from taking part in any competitions affiliated with Equestrian Australia, with the suspension affective immediately barring him from the current competition season anywhere in Australia.
Because of his Equestrian Australia suspension, Ryan has been automatically suspended by the world equestrian sports body, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
Equestrian Australia has also denied they asked for Dressagehub to remove the footage on YouTube.
An RSPCA NSW spokesperson confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au a report has been made to them, with an investigation into the alleged abuse starting.
'After being sent footage this morning that contains distressing content of a person whipping a horse, RSPCA NSW has commenced an investigation and will be making further enquiries,' they said.
In NSW, the penalties for animal cruelty can vary depending on the severity of the offence. For general cruelty acts, individuals face a maximum penalty of $44,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment, while corporations face a $220,000 fine.
RYAN'S RESPONSE
Hours after the video was made public, Ryan responded to the video on his Ryan's horses facebook page, claiming the horse was dangerous and had hospitalised another rider and friend of his.
Ryan posted a video of the same horse, Nico, with another rider on him. Where the horse can be seen being pushed forward without a whip by a female rider using a training aid gadgets, such as spurs and a 'stabilising' martingale, which is used prevent the horse lifting his head up.
According to Ryan, Nico is now 'thriving' under a new owner and rider.
Ryan claims the video comes from an 'unhappy ex-employee' 2 years ago.
He doesn't apologise for the whipping of Nico, instead claiming he has never ridden like that, and said it was a 'life or death moment for Nico.'
'I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable,' he said.
'I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video.
'If you think I did that flippantly, you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that, and I certainly will never do it again.'
Ryan said that Nico would've gone to a slaughterhouse if he had not intervened.
Ryan has not responded to his suspension.
WHAT IS NAPPING?
In the sport of dressage, or flatwork used for other disciplines such as Showjumping or Eventing, the horse is taught to move forward off the riders leg with minimal interference from the rider.
A long dressage whip is commonly used in training, to tap horses on their flanks to encourage engagement from their hind end, so they move forward into the bridle and contact from the rider.
Napping behaviour by the horse Nico in the video is a known negative behaviour, which according to Horse & Country describes the behaviour as a horse who refuses to move forward, often planting itself, rearing, spinning, or even turning and heading back towards home or another familiar location.
This behaviour can be a challenge for new and experienced equestrians, according to Horse & Country.
Other issues than can influence a horse's risk of negative behaviour include:
Physical discomfort. If a horse is in pain — whether from an ill-fitting saddle, sore muscles, or dental problems — it may resist moving forward. In these cases, identifying and addressing the source of discomfort should always be the first step.
Lack of confidence: Horses that feel uncertain or anxious, especially in unfamiliar environments, may use napping as a way to cope with their lack of confidence.
Reinforced behaviour: Napping can become a habit if the horse has previously been allowed to return to a place of comfort after an episode. If a horse has learned that this behaviour gets them what they want, they are more likely to keep doing it.
Social instinct: Horses are social animals, and when separated from companions, especially during solo outings, they may nap as a way to seek a return to the herd.
Mental stimulation or boredom: Horses that are underworked, bored, or lack proper mental stimulation may develop napping as a coping mechanism to deal with their idle state.
VIDEO BACKLASH
As other news outlets both in Australian and internationally started to pick up the video posted by Dressagehub, there have been thousands of comments wanting Equestrian sports bodies to take such incidents of abuse caught on video more seriously, with some equestrians wanting a lifetime ban for riders who are caught doing the wrong thing.
Another NSW dressage rider commenting on the DressageHub video being shared in Facebook equestrian groups labelled Ryan a 'barbarian'.
'This makes me physically sick,' they said.
'All it shows is that Heath is not a horseman trying to find a way through an issue but a barbarian.
'Not acceptable, whatever his excuses. I bet Tristan Tucker or Michael Pearce or any other true horseman could have done a calm soft job of helping this horse understand. Sorry Heath, you should be very very ashamed.'
The Animal Justice Party of NSW has also comment on the video, pushing for an independent office for animal protection.
'Olympian Heath Ryan was caught on video whipping a horse named Nico around 40 times. His defense? That it was in the horse's 'best interest',' they said on Facebook.
'No animal deserves this.
'This isn't an isolated incident, it's a symptom of a system that lacks real accountability and protection for animals, especially in competitive sports. Horses are sentient beings, not tools to be pushed until they break.
'We're calling for an independent Office of Animal Protection. An office that puts animal welfare above industry interests.'
On Friday, Bates Saddles announced they have dropped Heath Ryan's sponsorship in response to the whipping footage.
Bates is one of the biggest saddlemakers in the world, and are very popular for various equestrian disciplines.
'At Bates Saddles, horse welfare isn't just our priority, it's our purpose. Horses deserve nothing less than our complete respect, care and protection,' the said on Facebook
'We are shocked and heartbroken by the recent video involving Heath Ryan and do not support any treatment that causes distress or harm to horses. The video footage is completely at odds with the Heath Ryan we have partnered with for decades, and we have immediately ended our sponsorship. The saddles will remain at the property, as the comfort and safety of horses must come first.
'We respect the due process that the relevant federations will follow in their investigations, and we will not be making any further comments while this process takes place.'
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