Utah: Freeman Yoder, 38, charged with animal cruelty after dragging draft horse behind truck

UTAH -- A former employee of the Young Living Lavender Farm has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly dragging a horse behind a truck.

Freeman Yoder, 38, of Nephi, was charged Monday in 4th District Court with aggravated cruelty to animals, a class A misdemeanor.

On April 1, Yoder, then an employee at the farm, "tied a draft horse to a truck and drove the truck faster and faster until the horse fell to the ground and was drug along the ground behind the truck by its head and neck," according to charging documents.

Yoder stopped and got the horse back on its feet, but then took off again, driving fast "until the horse fell against the back of the truck, hitting its head on the truck and denting the truck," the charges state.

He allegedly continued dragging the horse by its head and neck before stopping and again putting the horse back on its feet.

But Yoder then started driving fast for a third time, until the horse again fell over and was dragged from behind, according to the charges. This time, Yoder could not get the horse back on its feet, police say.

Freeman Yoder leading this team of horses

The incident was recorded on video by horrified visitors to the farm.

Staff members of Lavender Farm called police to "keep the peace" as they immediately fired Yoder and escorted him off the property, according to the Juab County Sheriff's Office. When a deputy arrived at the farm, he was shown some of the video. The deputy subsequently placed Yoder under arrest.

The sheriff's office said Wednesday that the horse is currently in good condition at Lavender Farm.

The farm released a statement regarding the incident, stating in part: "This employee’s actions were completely unacceptable.

"We are fully cooperating with the Juab County Sheriff’s Office and will press charges to see that this individual is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Young Living has strict policies around animal care, and condemns any animal mistreatment or abuse."

An initial court appearance for Yoder is scheduled for April 12.

On March 16, Yoder was charged with having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, according to court records. In May of 2013, he was convicted of DUI.

(Deseret News - April 6, 2016)

Related:

• The Young Living Percheron Show Team - "Since his days homesteading in Canada and logging as a young man, Young Living founder D. Gary Young has been passionate about draft horses. We make Gary’s passion a part of our sustainable practices and use draft horses in the harvesting of many of our botanicals. Additionally, to raise awareness of the need for wellness solutions in veterinary applications, we support a team of champion Percheron show horses that enjoy the benefits of essential oils."
• Whispering Springs Farm Utah, U.S. - "The largest herb farm and distillery in the world, our lavender farm in Mona, Utah, features nearly 1,400 acres of fragrant herbs and is open to visitors year round."
• Face-to-Face with Giants: Vet Tech Students Meet Young Living Farm Percherons

  

Vet Tech student, Nicole Mellor, with Champion
Percheron and Trainer, Freeman Yoder