A council said it has found "no animal welfare concerns" at an Accrington horse riding centre after "upsetting" videos surfaced on Facebook and TikTok.
Hyndburn Council had been investigating the videos, reportedly filmed at Accrington Riding Centre, and the British Horse Society said it had referred the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation.
Hyndburn Council said "licence holders have implemented additional monitoring and management procedures to provide assurance that the welfare of both horses and riders remains a priority at the centre" but said no animal welfare concerns were found.
This follows the emergence of videos online, reportedly filmed at Accrington Riding Centre, which appear to show a rider using a riding whip while a person who appears to be instructing them encourages the action.
In another video, a woman appears to be heard encouraging the rider to "give him a crack" and "smack him".
A person can be heard saying: "Take your hand off the rein and wallop him"
"Do not be scared to smack him. He had gotten away with murder too much today" and "whack him".
The videos, shared on TikTok and Facebook, have been described by viewers as "a hard watch," "disgusting," and "upsetting."
Another said they have been taking their child to the riding centre for years and maintained that the horses are "always treated with respect and care".
Accrington Riding Centre, established in 1987 and located at Rothwell Mill Farm, provides riding lessons and horse care education for people of all ages.
Government guidelines state that using a whip is not illegal but must be used appropriately and not as punishment.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published a horse welfare code of practice. It emphasises humane training, stating it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to horses, including psychological harm.
It states: "Horse training should be humane, effective and safe for both horse and
handler.
"It is an offence to cause an animal unnecessary suffering and this includes psychological suffering. Intervention or punishment intended to suppress an unwanted behaviour should only be delivered immediately so it is directly linked to the behaviour in question.
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"Punishment can cause psychological distress to the horse and may induce fear, which you may then become associated with.
"Using a whip inappropriately to suppress unwanted behaviour may also cause pain, affect learning and/or stop the horse trialling new responses.
"You should not beat your horse or use other inappropriate punishments."
A spokesman for the British Horse Society (BHS) said: "We’re saddened to hear of this incident.
"BHS wholly condemns any mistreatment of horses by any person.
"Although the riding centre is not a BHS Approved Centre and the coach is not on our accredited professional coach register, we have spoken to the authorities who have the jurisdiction to intervene."
A spokesperson for Hyndburn Council said: "We are aware of the videos circulating on social media concerning activities at Accrington Riding Centre and understand the concerns that have been raised by members of the public.
"The council is responsible for licensing riding establishments, and Accrington Riding Centre currently holds a valid licence issued by the Council.
"In response to the concerns raised and enquiries received, a full investigation has been undertaken. As part of this process, a number of site visits have been carried out by the Council's Animal Licensing Officers, supported by an independent vet, which raised no animal welfare concerns.
"All horses associated with the riding centre have undergone comprehensive veterinary welfare assessments. These inspections have also included a review of the equipment used by the riding establishment.
"The licence has been reviewed in light of the concerns raised, including consideration of the use of training aids and whips during lessons, as well as staff training and supervision arrangements.
"The licence holders have implemented additional monitoring and management procedures to provide assurance that the welfare of both horses and riders remains a priority at the centre.
"The council’s investigation into this matter has now closed but we will continue to monitor compliance with licence conditions and will take any further action considered necessary should evidence emerge that standards are not being met."
The RSPCA has been approached for comment.
Accrington Riding Centre has been approached for comment.
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