Rockford TN man responds to viral photos of horse

TENNESSEE -- A Rockford man says he's the one pictured in a series of photos circulating on Facebook, and that the pictures show him training a horse.

Local 8 News got in touch with Ben Yoder to ask him about the pictures that concerned viewers sent into our newsroom.

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office says it's working with the Ag Extension Agent to investigate whether a crime was committed.

 

 

Yoder tells Local 8 News he's been training horses for 30 years and models his process on the Professor Beery method. Beery was a horse clinician from the late 1800's who published a series on best practices for equine training.

Yoder says, "The horse trusts me completely afterwards and is totally connected with me. He's not scared, I don't do it to fear them, I do it to gain trust."

In one picture, the horse is laying on the ground with ropes nearby. Yoder says he ties one foot up to get the horse to lay down, and then drags a tarp around the horse and over the body to gain its trust.

 

To anyone who doubts his method he says, "They don't know my methods they don't know my goal they've never been around it. If they could come and experience it they'd see it's a good thing."

Brittany McCarter contacted Local 8 News and identified herself as the owner of the horse seen in the photos. She says her horse was never in danger or in harms way.

Yoder invited Local 8 News to his farm in Rockford farm. Anchor Amanda Hara will have the report.

(WVLT - Dec 10, 2015)

Earlier:

• Facebook pictures of Sevier Co. horse prompt investigation