Violations of the Animal Welfare Act in a training stable in Lower Saxony?

Not so long ago, the Danish television station TV2 reported on an Olympic dressage rider who was filmed beating horses in training. You can find the details of the case here.

But such images also seem to exist in Germany, as the NDR reports today. The Oldenburg public prosecutor’s office is reporting on a complaint filed by two horse grooms against their former employers, a pair of trainers who run a stable in Lower Saxony.

The allegations made by the complainants are serious. Their former boss is said to have beaten a horse several times with a shovel. The whip was used to beat several horses. The horses were “broken” in such a way that they “ended up doing everything”.

The NDR reports on documented injuries on the flanks in the area of the spurs, on the hindquarters and in the corners of the mouth. The report is partly illustrated with pictures.

Allegations are denied

However, in this case it is a case of testimony against testimony. The pictures, which allegedly document injuries to horses from the training stable’s stock, cannot be attributed to any of the horses. The couple’s lawyer also stated that an unannounced inspection by the veterinary office did not reveal any injuries to the horses being ridden.

Also, according to the lawyer, “in 18 years of professional activity, there have been no reprimands or similar sanctions for violations of the guidelines of the German Equestrian Federation (FN)”.

However, the NDR explains that, according to its information, disciplinary proceedings are underway at the FN due to the allegations made by the grooms.