A former teacher who was filmed kicking and punching a pony has been found not guilty of an animal cruelty offence.
Sarah Moulds, 39, had been accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal - a grey pony called Bruce Almighty.
She was prosecuted by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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Footage of Moulds seemingly hitting out at the pony went viral, which lead to her losing her job as a primary school teacher just a month later.
In a three-day trial at Lincoln Crown Court, Moulds was questioned on the events, which took place on 6 November, 2021.
The 39-year-old claimed that her actions that were caught on tape were proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.
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On that day, Bruce Almighty was being ridden by a child in the Cottesmore Hunt near The Drift, Gunby, in Lincolnshire.
Moulds said in court that as the horses were being untacked, Bruce was being held by the child before he unexpectedly 'took off'.
She claimed that the child was instructed to let go off Bruce's rope as 'a number of horrific things' could have happened if the child had held on.
Bruce did eventually stop on a grass verge before returning to the horse box.
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Camera footage then showed Bruce being chastised by Moulds and led into a horse box, Lincoln Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Hazel Stevens said that Bruce had suffered 'physically and mentally' as a result of Moulds' 'over the top' chastisement.
"She decided to treat Bruce like that, she made that decision." Stevens said.
"She kicked him, she said because she had her hands full, but it didn't end there.
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"After kicking him and making that chastisement, she passes the lead rope to someone else and continues.
"What is Bruce learning from that?"
Moulds responded by saying she intended to 'briefly shock' Bruce but denied losing her temper with him.
She said: "In that moment [Bruce] had done something incredibly dangerous and, in that exact moment, I decided that the right thing to do was discipline him quickly
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"In reality, in that moment, it was four seconds. My intention was then, and always was, to discipline Bruce in the moment so that he does not do it again.
"There was minimal contact and it was so quick and so short."
Bruce was taken to the vets 10 days after the incident and was in good health.
In court, an equine vet said that Bruce demonstrated fear in the video, which the Crown said constituted as suffering, however, he had no sign of external injuries, the vet continued.
Derek Duffy, Mould's barrister, said that the reason the horse was punished was because 'you can't tell it what to do' and there was no evidence of injury.
The jury cleared Moulds of any wrongdoing after just five hours of deliberation.
The RSPCA has accepted the jury's decision, Sky News reports.
Featured Image Credit: PA X/HertsHuntSabsTopics: UK News, Animals, Crime