A private individual filmed the incident from a distance in March this year. After the video was shared on social media in December, Swedish Trotting Sport has launched an investigation, reports Travronden .
"Discussions are now being held with the parties concerned and a decision can then be made on how to handle the matter further," it says on the organization's website.
It's not possible to see exactly what's happening in the film, but a number of whip-cracking sounds can be heard. According to the filmmaker, one of two teams got stuck on a gravel road when one of the horses refused to move forward.
Trotting trainer Maria Törnqvist claims that one of the teams had become stranded halfway down a ditch after the horse was scared by a dog.
We are simply trying to get her out of the ditch and hit her with the whip to avoid an accident. But I really understand that what is heard in the clip sounds very bad. I really do, Törnqvist tells Aftonbladet.
Åby trainer Törnqvist's horses have brought in over 14 million kronor this year. According to Aftonbladet, she has 114 horses in training.
