Olympian Suspended For Abusing A Horse - On Video!

An Olympian was suspended over a horrifying video of him abusing a horse!

The clip was recently posted on social media, sparking outrage from fans. If you see the footage, you will know why. In it, Heath Ryan, who competed in the 2008 Olympics, is seen riding a horse named Nico (not the one pictured above). Unfortunately he also whips the animal over 40 times! OMG. Watch (below) if you can stomach it!

After the video went live, Equestrian Australia launched a formal investigation into the dressage competitor and suspended him pending the results. They said in a statement:

“Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage. … 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. This means they may take no part in competitions or events as competitor or Official or in the organisation of, or participation in, any event under the jurisdiction of Equestrian Australia.”

As for Heath? He knows how bad this is.

The athlete addressed the alarming video in a lengthy message on Facebook Thursday, insisting he was trying to save the horse who was experiencing behavior problems! Huh?! He explained:

“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.”

According to the equestrian, Nico is no longer with him and is “thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future.” He added:

“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.”

Hmm.

You can read his full statement HERE.

Reactions, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments below.

[Image via Heath Ryan/Facebook/Anwar Hussein/WENN]