The equestrian industry has seen a sudden rise in calls for banning horse riding and horse racing, due to the cruelty belted onto our equine friends. Horses are majestic creatures, and require proper love and care so that they can thrive in their environment. Unfortunately, reports of these beautiful creatures living in squalor, or worse, losing their precious lives due to negligence, have become a common theme.

Kentucky Derby, the biggest horse race in North America, has also come under fire for barbarism towards horses. The world of horse racing has been chock full of rumblings about animal abuse. Any equestrian enterprise commercializing the lives of horses is now considered savage and abusive. In tandem, a horse farm came under the limelight for all the wrong reasons, and it was heartbreaking.

Equestrian program leader arrested for animal neglect

According to a shocking incident report by Fox 13 Tampa Bay, a woman running a popular riding program for veterans and kids with challenges, has been arrested on abuse and neglect charges. Sara Montijo-Lopez, the Executive Director of the riding program, was in charge of the Tianvica Riding Academy off State Road 60 just outside Bartow.

Once upon a time, the program was a reputable one. However, the conditions which were discovered by the investigators now were absolutely deplorable. Dani Horton, the founder of Hope Equine Rescue in Winter Haven, described the situation in detail as an eyewitness to the damages the horses suffered through.

She told Fox 13, “There was no shade on the property, no water on the property, no grass. There was no food that we could see from the road. It was really just a bad situation for the horses.” Apparently, things were not this bad before. A Polk County resident, Susan Plaxico, revealed that she used to visit the farm numerous times before Montijo-Lopez took over, and all seemed well.

However, after she took over, things took a turn for much worse. Polk County Sheriff’s Office had tried to work with the executive director in the past, encouraging her to solve the problems and ensure the safety of the horses. However, after years of inaction, they decided to intervene and eight horses were seized from the property and transported to another one.

Read more: Horrifying Video Captured an Equestrian Hitting Horse Right Before Event, Leading To Strong Repercussions Once

Horses living under horrifying conditions

The detectives revealed that due to constant neglect, the horses had bones protruding out of their bodies and had also developed skin problems. Unfortunately, a miniature horse had to be euthanized because of its condition. The other horses were taken to the sheriff’s office’s farm for health checkups and were also entered into a weight gain program. Reportedly, one horse gained about 100 pounds in just a month, because of being well-fed and taken care of. The horses were taken to Hope Equine Rescue, where they will now lead a dignified and comfortable life. There might even come a time when they will be adopted by willing people.

Montijo-Lopez now faces criminal charges and the Tianvica Riding Academy has closed down. While it is gut-wrenching to see these gorgeous horses suffer through such abuse, it is comforting to know they have found a safe space to spend the rest of their lives.

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