Equestrianism: Australian Olympian Horse Whipping Suspension
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Heath Ryan, who is 66 years old and represented Australia in dressage at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has been provisionally suspended by his National Governing Body, Equestrian Australia from all competitions and events, after a video came to light that appeared to show him repeatedly whipping a horse.
The video, which Ryan stated was about two years old, shows a man striking a horse around 40 times.
Ryan has issued a statement that he was acting in "the horse's best interest" adding that the horse, called Nico, came to him after an accident which resulted in a female rider needing hospital treatment, and that he "had always been a problem child and would just not stop."
He was able to rehome the horse and stated:
"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 I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options.
All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video."
The National Governing Body stated:
"Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage.”
And added:
"Our policies include high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions."
It will be interesting to see the final outcome of this case.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
