Hendersonville horse riding school investigated for animal cruelty

TENNESSEE -- A Hendersonville horse riding school is being investigated for animal cruelty after a video surfaced that appears to show a trainer whipping a horse.

The Sumner County’s sheriff confirmed to News 2 a complaint was filed Tuesday against the Cumberland Riding Academy (CRA) and that they are investigating.

 

The person who took the video said it was excessive and they believed it crossed the line.

On its website, the school states it is a full-service equestrian facility “offering full care horse boarding, riding lessons, horse training, horse show services and horse sales.”

After the allegations surfaced, the school’s owner, Daniela Romo-Leroux, released a statement saying, “The safety of CRA’s students and horses is of utmost importance to our organization, and abuse of our animals is not tolerated. CRA has been in operation since 2007 and has trained hundreds of Middle Tennessee equestrians. This is the first time allegations of abuse have been levied against CRA or a member of our staff. We are taking this matter very seriously.”

  

Romo-Leroux added they are conducting an internal investigation about the complaint and the school plans to fully cooperate in the investigation.

“It would be premature to comment further until that investigation is complete,” she said.

News 2 showed the video to Stephanie Solloman, the equine manager for Horse Haven of Tennessee.
The Knoxville-based horse rescue organization works strictly with horses that are neglected and abused. They also provide support to law enforcement across the state.

Solloman herself has more than 20 years of horse training experience.

“I think it was probably a lack of knowledge,” she said. “Usually where knowledge ends is where frustration begins.”

She told News 2 the error was with how the trainer was leading the animal.

VIDEO OF THE ABUSE:



“To me, it looked like a horse that didn’t know how to lunge,” Solloman said. “She would like to lunge the horse, but she really didn’t understand how to get that process started.”

During the video, Solloman said there are times when it does appear to be possibly abusive to the horse.

“I think it deteriorated she got really frustrated and ended up hitting him the face,” she said. “At the same time she was not allowing him to move away which borders on abuse.”

News 2 continues to gather information about the allegations and ongoing investigation.

(WKRN - April 21, 2015)