The sacked horse hitting ex teacher is going to court

[TPO]

Bit of a cop out though no? There is actually stuff that we could all do to raise standards in equestrianism, but often don't. Cultural norms and standards are created by us all.

Agree (about everyone raising standards not that it's a cop out).

But so far there has been next to no consequences for action like this. Now "only" hitting and kicking a horse can lead to loss of job and a court case.

 

[Sandstone1]

Bit of a cop out though no? There is actually stuff that we could all do to raise standards in equestrianism, but often don't. Cultural norms and standards are created by us all.

So is it not time to start changing that?

 

[Marigold4]

Was musing about this thread this morning and although I think what she did was absolutely disgraceful, how many of us think nothing of giving a horse a firm tap with a whip because it won’t go forwards/is ignoring our leg etc.

Though hitting a horse in the face out of temper is horrid behaviour, is smacking a horse with a whip because it wont do what you want not pretty horrid also, in reality? Yet we accept that riders do this, day in and out, across the world.
This doesn’t excuse her behaviour, but it does throw in just what rocky ground we are on as riders, who, on a daily basis, do abuse the good nature of the horse for our own personal gain.

I agree. Whipping a horse and jabbing it with sharp spurs, harsh hands coupled with severe bits, riding at speed at solid fences with risk of injuring horse, racing two year olds knowing this will likely injure them - all considered OK.

 

[Red-1]

This prosecution has nothing to do with animal welfare and everything to do with politics.

Does anyone remember the Arab horses case, where they killed so many while ignoring offers of help with rehoming from the AHS and even the protestations of the man who actually shot them?
I think that was the final straw for me.

I do remember this, and also that they charged the court livery for the dead horses, until challenged, whereupon they said it was an 'admin error.' Disgraceful.

From my perspective, I have always been in public eye jobs, and I once went to try a horse that was reputed to be very naughty. The dealer insisted I carry a blue pipe, as that was the only way to get him to stop rearing. I refused, and told the dealer that, if I were to be caught using blue piping, I would lose my job. (I would not have used it anyway, but didn't want the dealer to think I was too fluffy to buy the horse!). I did carry a schooling whip, had no cause to use it.

My point is that, when in the public eye, you do know that your behaviour outside of work could affect your employment.

I think she would have done better to resign, with dignity, if she did in fact be sacked. For example, I now work in a school, but once was involved with something that went to court, as a witness not as an accused, but it was an upsetting case involving a colleague. We, as an organisation, as well as the individual, were found to have done nothing wrong. But, when trial by social media reared its ugly head again, years later, I offered to resign so as the school would not be linked, and my school is not a private one! It just seemed the decent thing to do. As it happened, it didn't come to that, we had done nothing wrong, it didn't go further, and I didn't have to resign. I imagine, she would have been as well simply resigning, especially as this school is a private one, with customers to attract.

 

[Sandstone1]

I agree. Whipping a horse and jabbing it with sharp spurs, harsh hands coupled with severe bits, riding at speed at solid fences with risk of injuring horse, racing two year olds knowing this will likely injure them - all considered OK.

But its not ok is it? Thats the point.

 

[Marigold4]

But its not ok is it? Thats the point.

No - it isn't at all ok. I just can't understand why we all turn a blind eye to it.

 

[ycbm]

The woman's level of anger/violence escalated rapidly when there was absolutely no retaliation from the horse. She began with a slap, and proceeded to kick and, ( I also do not want to watch the video again) speaking from memory, the last few blows are not far off a punch

Your memory is incorrect and I suggest you watch the video again to stop you blowing it up into more than it was. One kick to the chest followed by 4 slaps to the muzzle. No significant escalation. Following which an undamaged pony followed her willingly and quietly into the lorry.

 

[ycbm]

If you are put in prison/charged with an offence by private prosecution you don't get a criminal record. Or at least you didn't use to. Won't show up on a dbs check. Maybe it's changed. This was a few years ago now.

Criminal convictions are always counted, I think, you are maybe getting confused because most private prosecutions are civil.
.

 

[ycbm]

Owning a fat horse is not against the law.

It is.

https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/fit-not...ound-guilty-of-causing-unnecessary-suffering/
.

 

[Upthecreek]

Rarely and inconsistently. They seem to go for private prosecution only with situations that are already high profile.

Well yes of course they are more likely to prosecute high profile cases. Not doing so basically says it’s okay for people to treat their animals like that. It isn’t. And yes there is far worse going on, but I do not see how they could do nothing and explain why in a way that makes sense to the general public.

If she was filmed giving her horse one slap with an open hand in a split second loss of control because she was surrounded by hunt sabs and stressed/fearful for the safety of her children none of what has happened would have happened. But that is not what you see on the film and I can see how it is seen as a deliberate act of violence by the RSPCA.

 

[Upthecreek]

It is.

https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/fit-not...ound-guilty-of-causing-unnecessary-suffering/
.

Okay! And of course the owner was rightly prosecuted.

 

[Sandstone1]

Your memory is incorrect and I suggest you watch the video again to stop you blowing it up into more than it was. One kick to the chest followed by 4 slaps to the muzzle. No significant escalation. Following which an undamaged pony followed her willingly and quietly into the lorry.

Its not the point that it was "undamaged" though is it? The pony did nothing wrong. It was completely uncalled for.

 

[ycbm]

Rarely and inconsistently. They seem to go for private prosecution only with situations that are already high profile.

This isn't true DD, sorry. The RSPCA are in Magistrate's courts week after week with cases of mistreated animals. They just don't make it any further than the local news.

I've seen privately prosecuted cases brought by the RSPCA, just in my local area, of a starved horse, keeping a horse when banned, failing to control a vicious dog and starving a dog.

It's absolutely wrong that the RSPCA are the de facto animal police, but they are still that, I believe.

 

[ycbm]

Its not the point that it was "undamaged" though is it? The pony did nothing wrong. It was completely uncalled for.

The punishment is already grossly disproportionate to the crime, in my view. In that respect, yes, it is an important point that the pony was undamaged by the experience.

How do you escalate from "life as she knew it ripped to shreds" for someone who actually deliberately damages an animal? Hang them?
.

 

[Kaylum]

Criminal convictions are always counted, I think you are maybe getting confused because most private prosecutions are civil.
.

Ok obviously I can't give details. It's maybe something to look out for when doing checks.

 

[dorsetladette]

? I didn't know that!!

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...y-growing-number-of-ponies-says-chris-packham

 

[ycbm]

Ok obviously I can't give details. It's maybe something to look out for when doing checks.

You could give the rules without mentioning any case? Criminal convictions do become spent in some situations, but I wasn't aware they could ever not be recorded just because the prosecution was brought by someone other than the CPS. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
.

 

[smolmaus]

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...y-growing-number-of-ponies-says-chris-packham

That doesn't say that he wants all ponies removed from the new forest. He is saying the numbers are too high and are being deliberately inflated due to uncapped subsidies. Sounds completely reasonable to me tbh.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Oh its personal allright. You just like to argue. And the little clique that follow you are evident by your 'likes'. I've not said anything that is incorrect nor what many others have said. Due process was followed by her employers and other agencies. She was suspended which is the norm following allegations of this nature. Then she was sacked. Now she's going to Court.

You still haven't answered my questions to you which makes me even more certain of your intentions towards me.

You don't give a damn about this woman, you are just using your 'concern' as a way to undermine my comments, the facts have already shown your theory "how do you know she didn't hand in her notice?" to be wrong. Not that you would admit this.

Due process takes considerably longer than the time between the video going viral and SM being reported as leaving her job.
You may have taken minutes at meetings, I have actually been involved in the processes, in several roles as an education professional. I do know what I am talking about, having had relevant training in all those roles, not just from sitting in a few meetings, taking notes.



ETA, you talk about 'facts' as if you have inside information, which you certainly should not have, or are certain that what has been reported inthe media is spot on, which experience tells me would be very rare. All any of us really know is the statement that the school put out: 'employment has been terminated'. It did not say terminated by whom.

 

[Upthecreek]

The punishment is already grossly disproportionate to the crime, in my view. In that respect, yes, it is an important point that the pony was undamaged by the experience.

How do you escalate from "life as she knew it ripped to shreds" for someone who actually deliberately damages an animal? Hang them?
.

If she had physically damaged the pony she would be facing a harsher penalty than the one she will get as a result of the prosecution. There are escalating punishments depending on the severity of the crime. She will get some community service and probably have to attend an anger management course or similar. More serious violence or abuse could result in a custodial sentence for example.

 

[eahotson]

But its not ok is it? Thats the point.

We pay to watch things like that and people frequently win big prizes doing just that.

 

[eahotson]

This isn't true DD, sorry. The RSPCA are in Magistrate's courts week after week with cases of mistreated animals. They just don't make it any further than the local news.

I've seen privately prosecuted cases brought by the RSPCA, just in my local area, of a starved horse, keeping a horse when banned, failing to control a vicious dog and starving a dog.

It's absolutely wrong that the RSPCA are the de facto animal police, but they are still that, I believe.

Yes.They came to our yard not so long ago following a complaint I gather.

 

[dorsetladette]

That doesn't say that he wants all ponies removed from the new forest. He is saying the numbers are too high and are being deliberately inflated due to uncapped subsidies. Sounds completely reasonable to me tbh.

Sorry I just quickly googled the article and didn't read the content. It read very differently in the local rag.

 

[honetpot]

That doesn't say that he wants all ponies removed from the new forest. He is saying the numbers are too high and are being deliberately inflated due to uncapped subsidies. Sounds completely reasonable to me tbh.

The problem is the total payment is capped, and how it's distributed is the issue, and it is not just ponies.
https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.u...set-to-be-halved-in-funding-shake-up-9149982/

 

[southerncomfort]

Genuine question: do we think that if she is successfully prosecuted and handed a decent fine that it will send shock waves and start the ball rolling of changing attitudes regarding the casual use of violence against horses?

I'm thinking about what some posters have said above about worse being seen at shows.

We live in a surveillance society. Everyone has a video recorder in their pocket. It would be nice for those who mistreat horses at shows to have it in the back of their minds that any one could film their behaviour and either pass it to the RSPCA or post it on social media.

(To be clear I'm not talking about monsters like Evans. He should be in prison as far as I'm concerned).

I suppose what I'm getting at is that while it might be true that this woman is bearing the brunt of our collective anger at every day aggression and violence meted out to horses, might a successful prosecution help focus the minds of the every day bullies?

And equally, might it embolden the rest of us to actually do something if we witness this behaviour if we have a stronger sense that a complaint will be taken seriously?

 

[Berpisc]

Excellent, delighted they are. Disgusting behaviour from this woman, she deserves everything she gets. I hope she is banned from keeping animals (and kids!) for life.

"She deserves everything she gets"
Interesting pov....

 

[FestiveG]

Genuine question: do we think that if she is successfully prosecuted and handed a decent fine that it will send shock waves and start the ball rolling of changing attitudes regarding the casual use of violence against horses?

I'm thinking about what some posters have said above about worse being seen at shows.

We live in a surveillance society. Everyone has a video recorder in their pocket. It would be nice for those who mistreat horses at shows to have it in the back of their minds that any one could film their behaviour and either pass it to the RSPCA or post it on social media.

(To be clear I'm not talking about monsters like Evans. He should be in prison as far as I'm concerned).

I suppose what I'm getting at is that while it might be true that this woman is bearing the brunt of our collective anger at every day aggression and violence meted out to horses, might a successful prosecution help focus the minds of the every day bullies?

And equally, might it embolden the rest of us to actually do something if we witness this behaviour if we have a stronger sense that a complaint will be taken seriously?

The complaint will only be taken seriously if it suits the agenda of someone with a high public profile.

 

[Birker2020]

ETA, you talk about 'facts' as if you have inside information, which you certainly should not have, or are certain that what has been reported inthe media is spot on, which experience tells me would be very rare. All any of us really know is the statement that the school put out: 'employment has been terminated'. It did not say terminated by whom.

I have never talked as if I have inside information, show me the paragraph where I said I was party to inside information then and prove it! I've never alluded or suggested that I had inside information - this is total rubbish! I just now how the process works. If you don't then its because you've obviously never been party to a position of trust meeting.

I have just spoken about the possible process that people go through when an allegation has been made and they are in a position of trust. And I wasn't relying on just one newspaper - its been confirmed all across the internet and a statement released and read by Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the Mowbray Education Trust,

And yes it did say she was terminated by Mowbray Education Trust.
https://news.sky.com/story/leiceste...eo-of-horse-being-punched-and-kicked-12525580

"After a public outcry following the release of the video, she was suspended and then sacked by Mowbray Education Trust"

This link said that the trust suspended her:
In a statement issued on December 20, the trust - which represents seven schools in the Melton area - said Moulds had now been removed from her position.

"I can confirm that Sarah Moulds’ employment with the Trust has been terminated, "said Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the Trust.

and the link https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/teacher-sacked-video-kicking-horse-22524593

Sarah Moulds, 37, has been sacked from her position at the Mowbray Education Trust in Melton Mowbray
and the link: https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/21/teac...g-punched-and-kicked-sparks-outrage-15802230/

A woman filmed slapping and kicking a horse last month has been sacked from her job as a primary school teacher in Leicestershire.

In a brief statement from Mowbray Education Trust, they confirmed Sarah Moulds had been sacked.

and the link: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-12-20...after-being-caught-kicking-and-slapping-horse

Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the Mowbray Education Trust, said in a statement: "I can confirm that Sarah Moulds' employment with the trust has been terminated.
"As a trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond."
Ms Moulds was also removed from a volunteering role she carried out for the Pony Club, which said of the video: "We wholeheartedly condemn this behaviour".

and the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-59728476

 

[Birker2020]

And a excerpt from a LADO position of trust document pulled from the internet

External safeguarding matters – allegations against staff in their personal lives

If an allegation arises about a member of staff, outside of their work with children, and this may present a risk of harm/risk of children for whom the member of staff is responsible through their employment/volunteering, a POT meeting should be convened to decide whether the concern justifies:

• Approaching the member of staff’s employer for further information, in order to assess the level of risk of harm: and or
• Inviting the employer to a further meeting about dealing with the possible risk of harm

 

[Birker2020]

Genuine question: do we think that if she is successfully prosecuted and handed a decent fine that it will send shock waves and start the ball rolling of changing attitudes regarding the casual use of violence against horses?

I'm thinking about what some posters have said above about worse being seen at shows.

We live in a surveillance society. Everyone has a video recorder in their pocket. It would be nice for those who mistreat horses at shows to have it in the back of their minds that any one could film their behaviour and either pass it to the RSPCA or post it on social media.

(To be clear I'm not talking about monsters like Evans. He should be in prison as far as I'm concerned).

I suppose what I'm getting at is that while it might be true that this woman is bearing the brunt of our collective anger at every day aggression and violence meted out to horses, might a successful prosecution help focus the minds of the every day bullies?

And equally, might it embolden the rest of us to actually do something if we witness this behaviour if we have a stronger sense that a complaint will be taken seriously?

Its a good point.