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Original poster

Sir Mark Todd - where’s the outrage? Animal cruelty

179 replies

ConasAtaTu1 · 12/02/2022 15:13

Just watched a disgusting video of this man whipping a clearly terrified horse ten times to get it to go into water. Cowardly running back each time so the horse couldn’t kick him to rightfully defend itself from the beating. Total scum.

I hope he will get similar fines/outrage/RSPCA investigations as ongoing for Kurt Zouma.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10505319/Sir-Mark-Todd-caught-whipping-horse-branch-TEN-times-make-water-obstacle.html

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/02/2022 15:35

Absolutely agree with you. This is the first I'm hearing of it though so people probably don't know about it. A premier league footballer is more likely to make mainstream media.

IncompleteSenten · 12/02/2022 15:36

Bloody disgusting.

I hope he is prosecuted.

FOJN · 12/02/2022 15:42

This is in public, imagine what he's like when no one is watching. I hope he's prosecuted too.

DelorisVC · 12/02/2022 15:47

I hope he is prosecuted too. What a horrible thing to do to an animal.

DelorisVC · 12/02/2022 15:50

I’m shocked at the people cheering when the horse moves too. How many people think this sort of behaviour is ok ?

PattesDuRhino · 12/02/2022 15:52

I won't watch it, but sadly I've seen similar amongst international dressage riders. Its not even the worst thing they do. Sad

Thunderpunt · 12/02/2022 15:52

Mark Todd has been a lifelong hero of mine, has achieved such amazing things in his long equestrian career, but this is awful and has completely changed my opinion of him.

cheekychaplin · 12/02/2022 15:54

I saw the video on TikTok yesterday but it could be anyone. I'm not trying to defend MT if it is him, but the video was done in a jokey manner about things being bad and bringing in MT so I didn't actually believe it was him when I saw it.

UnUdderOne · 12/02/2022 15:55

Changed my opinion of him too. I hope he gets what he deserves. There is no need to treat animals like this - lots of evidence based information these days on how animals learn. If he's too old to keep up with the times, he should retire and sell up.

Original poster
ConasAtaTu1 · 12/02/2022 15:57

It’s so awful. These animals are defenceless and dependent on their owners. What kind of disgusting person thinks it’s ok to beat them when they’re afraid!! I’ve a dog who has separation anxiety and we achieved him staying home little by little with care and encouragement. I couldn’t imagine just kicking him back into the hall when he’s trying to leave with us. That poor horse is clearly terrified.

I hope this is the end of his career and he’s used as an example if this kind of cruelty is widespread. If they can’t treat animals properly the whole industry needs to go.

OP posts:
Original poster
ConasAtaTu1 · 12/02/2022 15:57

@cheekychaplin it’s been published in several papers/online news sites. I doubt they would be saying it’s him if they hadn’t verified it.

OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 12/02/2022 16:02

Gosh.

cheekychaplin · 12/02/2022 16:02

[quote ConasAtaTu1]@cheekychaplin it’s been published in several papers/online news sites. I doubt they would be saying it’s him if they hadn’t verified it.[/quote]

The article doesn't verify his identity at all. It says a man who is claimed to be him. It all comes from the TikTok video. I mean it probably is true, but I'm not about to vilify someone based on 'a man who is claimed to be'.

Ineedshoes · 12/02/2022 16:04

@Thunderpunt

Mark Todd has been a lifelong hero of mine, has achieved such amazing things in his long equestrian career, but this is awful and has completely changed my opinion of him.
This. Absolutely disgusting. No horse needs to be beaten.
Original poster
ConasAtaTu1 · 12/02/2022 16:04

@cheekychaplin the Tik tick account holder has said she is the jockey and it’s her horse and that it is mark todd beating the horse.

OP posts:
Whitegrenache · 12/02/2022 16:09

@Thunderpunt

Mark Todd has been a lifelong hero of mine, has achieved such amazing things in his long equestrian career, but this is awful and has completely changed my opinion of him.
Absolutely this...

I am a horse owner and rider and my dd and i compete in eventing so feel somewhat able to have an informed opinion and this video is disgusting

I would do ground work with that horse encouraging it into water instead of whipping it.

I do agree we need to be the authority with our horses as they can very easily over power us but this can be done without the need to abuse them

mbosnz · 12/02/2022 16:22

I'm absolutely bloody gutted by this, and outraged.

AuntyJanet · 12/02/2022 16:27

Dreadful behaviour.

Ineedshoes · 12/02/2022 16:33

@mbosnz

I'm absolutely bloody gutted by this, and outraged.
I think a lot of us riders will feel the same. Toddy is/ was a legend and always seemed to have a magic way with horses.
figuringoutmylife · 12/02/2022 16:36

I agree @ConasAtaTu1 terrible behaviour. I hope all his sponsors drop him & he is charged with animal abuse. Completely unacceptable.

Totalwasteofpaper · 12/02/2022 17:56

This is disgusting - it blows my mind that people can behave like this to animals.

I hope he loses all endorsements, is charged and prosecuted and blacklisted.

thewheelofthehamster · 12/02/2022 17:59

Went on his Facebook page… recent post about breaking in some yearlings…. Not an animal lover at all
Never liked him

thewheelofthehamster · 12/02/2022 17:59

You have to wonder what happens at home when he’d do things like this in public Sad

nancy75 · 12/02/2022 18:00

[quote ConasAtaTu1]@cheekychaplin the Tik tick account holder has said she is the jockey and it’s her horse and that it is mark todd beating the horse.[/quote]
In which case why the bloody hell did she let him?
I’ve never had a horse but if someone had hit my dog like that they’d only get the chance to do it once.

Original poster
ConasAtaTu1 · 12/02/2022 18:08

@nancy75 apparently video is from 2 years ago. Said she felt too scared at the time to go up against a giant in the industry. Now she’s coming out public about it.

Lots coming out these days about powerful men and people being too afraid to call them out on their behaviour.

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