New research shows bullying a main factor behind self-harm thoughts for people with Tourette syndrome
WARNING: This story contains content about bullying and suicidal ideation.
When Nita Ryan's son Anzac was just 10 years old, she heard him say the words every parent dreads — and a nation-first study has found the experience is alarmingly common.
"Anzac came to his teacher and us and told us at one point that he did not want to be here anymore," Ms Ryan said.
"He just wanted his tics to stop."
Anzac, 11, lives with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition which causes involuntary movements and vocalisations, known as tics.
A new report by the Kids Research Institute Australia and the University of New South Wales found one in two children with a tic-related disorder have thought about ending their life.
The rates of attempted suicide in children and adults with the condition are five times the national average.
The Impact for Tourette's research project found bullying, discrimination and a lack of understanding were some of the main contributing factors to emotional distress.
Anzac lives with at least 20 different tics and recently had to move schools after "severe" bullying led him to an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
"[It was] horrific. A 10-year-old should never have to feel that. A 10-year-old shouldn't know what that is," his mum Ms Ryan said.
"We had a few incidents where he was actually followed to our car to get picked up and he was pushed and hit."
The move was the best decision the family made, but now in grade six, Anzac is worried about the future.
"I don't feel teased at my school right now … I feel like when I go to high school I might be left out or in a lot of trouble," Anzac said.
"Staying with my family makes me feel safe and nothing can happen to me.
"[At school] it's hard to feel safe and it's hard to learn sometimes.
"It's like a curse and it's a severe condition that isn't fixable."
About 1 per cent of children live with Tourette syndrome in Australia and along with the social stigma, the healthcare sector is also lagging.
The report evaluated systemic issues across the healthcare, education, employment and mental health sectors and found challenges across the board.
It made seven recommendations to the industries to improve the treatment and management of Tourette syndrome.
Senior research fellow and report co-author, Dr Melissa Licari , said one of the key recommendations was to establish a national clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment.
"After they're diagnosed, there's no services available in terms of providing the therapies and treatments that they need and also the support that they might need in the community as well," Dr Licari said.
"There also needs to be training and resources available for healthcare professions, for educators and also employees."
Despite being severe and common, Tourette syndrome has not garnered the same attention as other disorders.
Ms Ryan said Anzac also has an autism spectrum disorder and said the difference in response to the diagnosis was astounding.
"When he was diagnosed with autism, we were given all of this information … here is all of the specialists that can help you, here's all of the therapies that can help you," she said.
The research also found only one in 20 people have access to NDIS funding and on his third attempt of medication, Anzac's medical bills have added up.
"Everything we do, we have to do privately and pay," Ms Ryan said.
"It's extremely hard, especially if he's crying in pain. You can't do anything. There's nothing anyone can do."
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The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Most awful video': Hunter Olympian suspended, being investigated for animal cruelty
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. 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. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. 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. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. 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. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. 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. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.'
Perth Now
13-06-2025
- Perth Now
Authorities take action over horror horse whip video
An Australian Olympian filmed whipping a horse 42 times has claimed he was doing so in an effort to save the animal's life. The footage, taken around two years ago at his stables in NSW, shows Heath Ryan repeatedly striking a horse named Nico as it bucks in distress. The video was recently shared online, sparking widespread outrage. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW: GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING Now Equestrian Australia has provisionally suspended Ryan from national and international competitions while it investigates the incident. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is a three-time Australian three-day event champion, claimed the footage was taken by a disgruntled former employee. The 66-year-old said the whipping of the six-year-old gelding was a last resort to prevent the horse from being euthanised. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced,' Ryan wrote in a lengthy Facebook post. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. He described the situation as 'life-and-death' for Nico, who he said was destined for the knackery. 'I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself, I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery,' he said. 'That video was a life-or-death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. By the end of that initial ride, I did feel Nico was responding.' Ryan added that after a few more days of training, Nico began responding well and no longer required 'excessive driving aids.' However, Equestrian Australia strongly condemned the footage. 'Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage,' the organisation said in a statement. 'We have imposed a provisional suspension of this person's membership and all associated rights, privileges, and benefits while the matter is investigated.' Heath Ryan at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Credit: MIKE CLARKE / AFP Ryan also claimed that Nico had previously attacked its former owner. 'The horse grabbed her by the mouth, ripped her out of the saddle, and savaged her,' he said. 'It would stop, then turn around and try to grab you like a stallion. It had done this with its previous owner, who had never hit it.' '(The whipping) turned everything around. This horse went on to have its best interests looked after. Clearly, in hindsight, it wasn't horse abuse. It was actually saving its life. That's irrefutable. It's just that when you look at it, I understand—it's bloody horrendous.' 'And if you think I enjoyed that, I did not. I hated it, but I felt desperate. This horse was maybe as good as dead. Could I talk to it? Could I open up channels of communication?' The video was shared by US equestrian channel Dressage Hub, whose owner Susan Wachowich said it 'infuriates me to the core.' With 7NEWS
The Age
12-06-2025
- The Age
‘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.'
