An animal welfare charity has said Mark Todd used “totally unacceptable force” on a horse, after a video of the incident was shared on social media.
The Blue Cross response comes as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) placed an interim suspension on his training licence.
Grace Shayler, Horse Welfare and Training Supervisor at Blue Cross said the Olympic eventing champion should act as a role model to “champion compassionate training”.
“Recently released footage shows Mark Todd using a branch as a whip excessively, in order to force the horse to move into the water,” she said. “Sadly, time and again Blue Cross see the impact of incidents like this, where individuals have used totally unacceptable force on horses and ponies.
“The video may be two years old but, unfortunately, heavy-handed treatment of horses remains commonplace. Our charity deals with the fall-out from outdated methods of ‘training’, and we are needed to rehabilitate horses who are nervous and psychologically affected by mistreatments.
“Anyone in a position of influence, like Mark Todd, should act as a role model to eradicate techniques which rely on the horse’s fear from the equine world. And instead, to champion positive and compassionate training, through ‘Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive’ (LIMA) training methods.”
Earlier today (Wednesday, 16 February), the BHA confirmed the Chair of British racing’s Independent Judicial Panel had approved an interim suspension on the training licence of Mark.
This interim suspension means that while investigations continue into the circumstances of the incident, Mark will be unable to racehorses in Great Britain or internationally.
The trainer has admitted the individual involved in the video was him, has apologised for his actions and agreed to the imposition of an interim suspension.
On Sunday (13 April), the BHA condemned the video and confirmed that it was looking into the incident.
