San Diego horse dies after controversial training method
**Warning – the video is graphic.**
From: Fox 5 San Diego
By: Misha DiBono
SAN DIEGO – San Diego’s horse community is up in arms after the death of a horse in the care of a trainer known for using controversial training methods considered as a form of torture.
Trainer Mark Arballo was allegedly training a Gunner horse with superb quality bloodlines, called Bella Gonnabe Gifted, at the River Valley Ranch near the San Diego-Mexico border this weekend when a horse died.
The horse was tied up with a shank bit and apparently panicked, breaking the straps, according to Bethany Wallace, another trainer at the ranch.
“He started wailing on it, beating on something,” said Wallace. “He was trying to pull and hit something with a long strap.”
“I saw Bella lying prostrate on the ground, tacked up and bloody faced,” she said. “Her nose was mutilated and bleeding out of her nostrils and one ear. She was unable to move – just groaning.”
Bella belonged to ranch owner Martha Torkington, who was not at the property when the incident happened.
Torkington said the training technique known as “biting up” is common and comes down to differences of philosophy; a heavy hand versus a gentler touch. Yet, Torkington stressed a trainer should never leave the horse alone during the process.
“If they get tripped up they have no way of catching themselves,” said Torkington. “All the balance is in their head they fall over and potentially hit their heads.”
Critics of the technique say the practice is just plain animal cruelty. Horse trainer Christopher Martinez described the horse training technique as a “brutal…torture type device.”
Jenn
Why does it seem like the two woman being interviewed are smirking? One even smiles afterwards?
Linda Turne
I agree about the smirking and smiling. It
was disturbing and inappropriate. these people have no soul. I feel SO sorry for that horse.
jomarie
so the owner was off in an ambulance when the aspca arrived, perhaps that person was tied with their head to the saddle and whipped.
god works his revenge in his own way for his children.
what an awful way for these horses to be treated. and she was smiling and just yapping about the training. she needs to be tied up also
Lynn
The owner doesn’t really care as the horse is heavily insured. She will just purchase another “superior” bloodlines horse, invest in poor training methods again and create a “dangerous” horse. that horse will end up in the slaughter pipeline, the disposal for overbreeding and other throwaway horses. People like these have no business being in the horse business!
Bri
Here is Bella’s Page. Please make comments and show your support while we are trying desperately to put the people responsible for this horrendous act behind bars!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Bella-Gunnabe-Gifted/652116531473236?ref=ts&fref=ts
The owners are Martha Torkingtin-kiss, her husband, George Kiss. The “reining Trainer” is Mark Arballo and his GF is Patrice Hohl.
Leslie M. Bliman-Kuretzky
The person who did this to the horse had a seizure and went to the Hospital? GOOD. Karma will get him
Shirley Mix
This man should be put in jail. His name should be everywhere so that he will not be hired again EVER.
mary Gardner
This is very BAD thing, don’t let them get away with this!!! Poor Horse!!!
Marge Mullen
I hope they hang the SOB! There is no such thing as a bad horse just bad trainers and this asshat beats them all!!
Lana Marie
AGREE!!! The so called ‘trainer’ & ‘owners’ …what they wont do for their ‘effing ‘shows’!
It is so sickening this beautiful mare lost her life this way. He should be charged & EXPOSED.
Heard he hit the hospital…good – at the very least hope you are unable to train another horse!
MorganG
SECOND DEATH FROM THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES? And that’s just the deaths the other trainer knows about. Both the owner and this trainer/torturer should be charged as the owner lived there and knew what this trainer was doing. I live not too, too far from this and had heard this man’s name mentioned but with contempt behind it. Now I know why.
karen
They should investigate – he’s killed two horses that they know of. Jail this horse killer.
diane marchand
why don’t they tie the trainer up with the same bit and beat him till he dies. then leave his body out for the vultures because this is not a human that deserves to live! death to animal abusers. lets go legal system Hang this guy
Jan Schultz
Too many people are handling horses that have no busines doing so. This type of facility, looks really expensive and has expensive horses, but the knowledge and appreciation of the horses is still in the iron age. This type of training, tying the horse to its saddle and leaving it is archaic and cruel. The animal controlk peoiple should definitely and better charge this man with felony animal cruelty, the intentional infliction of distress and injury. That poor horse looked young, she did nothing to deserve the terror she felt or the violence she went through before the other trainer found her. Yeah, and lets ask about being complicit in these situations. Sort of like watching a personbeat on a child and saying, well its not my child. “What would you do?”
Amy Miller
You shouldn’t have to be harsh if you build a relationship first with your horse. This is absolutely disgusting, poor horse. Come on what is it going to take for people to learn how to properly train a horse and kindly. I hope they put this guy away for the torture of these two horses.
Debbie Tracy
This is such a waste of a beautiful horses life, I’m appalled if anyone calls this training… This is human’s torturing defenseless animal, forceful hurtful control NOT TRAINING you DO NOT TRAIN by intimidation, omg….. THE OWNER & TRAINER I hope will be thoroughly investigated and charged…. We shall see won’t we, cause this country’s priority in charging, really charging anyone with animal cruelty is less than stellar… POOR BABE, so sick how some treat the animals they are in charge of…. 🙁
Robyn
Unbelievable!! As a horse owner I would investigate the reputation and knowledge of any trainer and their practices.
This is OUTRAGEOUS!
SponShine Ranch
Natural Training – Only way to go!!!!!
Christy
Very sad. As in many cases of abuse, I’m afraid an ACO who knows nothing about proper training techniques will be convinced by the owner and trainer that this is “acceptable” and “common.”
Donna Orr
When are we the people going to make the justice system force punishment on this CRAZY trainers?
dolly
THIS SOB DESERVES THE SAME TREATMENT AND LEFT TO DIE LIKE THIS HORSE. GET THIS SCUMBAG’S NAME OUT SO EVERYONE KNOWS HIS NAME IS KNOWN TO EVERYONE IN THE HORSE WORLD. COME ON HUMANE SOCIETY…DO YR FRICKIN JOBS, WHILE YR’RE TO SLOW TO DO YR JOB SO MANY HORSES LOST THEIR LIVES. GUARENTEE THIS GUY HAS MANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST HIM TO START WITH, SO DO YR JOB BY NOT ALLOWING HIM EVER TO TRAIN OR BE AROUND HORSES.
DONNA WISE
The Humane Society does its job as best it can. They to need a lot of support and are dealing with a ton of animal issues. The county and state and federal government need to stop worrying about the money grubbers and take care of the people and animals. The Humane Society works off donations and volunteers so………….
N.Laurel
So, any difference between what this monster does for a living, and what Michael Vick did to his dogs? VERY little, if any. Both delighted in bullying and torturing defenseless animals.
N.Laurel
I certainly meant to say “HOW” he does it for a living, not meaning horse training in general!
Diana
I AM APPALLED THAT THIS MAN COULD GET AWAY WITH SUCH ANIMAL CRUELTY! HE SHOULD BE FINED AND JAILED FOR HIS BEHAVIOR! HOW MANY MORE HORSES WILL SUFFER AT HIS HANDS IF HE DOESNT PAY THE PRICE??
Holly
I’ve been training horses for years and have never used this methods and I’ve never heard of anyone I know ever using it. It’s not a training method, it’s an idiot’s method to use so they can try to play a trainer when they really don’t know what the hell they’re doing. It’s all so a moron can attempt to make a bunch of money quick in the horse industry. They need to send this jerk off to jail!
Susan Hopf
It is a terrible thing that horses have died but what is worse is that these people believe this to be an acceptable training method. It is nothing short of torture and those that continue to pursuit such forms of abuse should be held accountable. Shame on the barn owner, shame on the trainer and shame on anyone that can but does not try to stop such cruelty.
Joe
What he did was not training it was punishment. As some one who worked for a horse trainer.I know what Iam talking about.
V
Is it me, or does the horses owner have this attitude like she doesn’t care that this happened or perhaps she I phased. If that were my horse I would livid( then again if saw ppl using techniques on my horse like that then my horse would no longer be with them). This is really a shameful sad thing. And I am a little confused, the owner of the property talks about not leaving the horse along when they are tied like that, but the female trainer made it sound like the guy was just outright beating the horse….. Things just aren’t making sense. Also how did the horses nose get ripped up. I feel like this guy was just outright beating this horse, but no one is coming out and saying it…. Anyone else feel this way? Maybe I am just not understanding all of the article or maybe I missed something, it’s just not adding up to me.
MorganG
I think the story was very poorly done. Probably by someone who has no knowledge of horses at all. That anyone could smile after such a traumatic death is completely beyond me. Shut the hell hole down.
Elly
I agree that this is a cruel and inhumane method of making a horse submit to the bit. it is not a training method but a method of torture to make the horse know who is the “boss.” Just plain sadistic and should be punishable by a huge fine and jail time. SOBs!
T
This horses nose was probably bleeding from falling onto it. This archaic method of “training” (which is nothing short of torture) involves tying the horses head to the saddle via the reins. This severely unbalances the horse as their head is where their center of balance is. Thus the head tied backwards and down to their saddle will unbalance them.This makes the horse fall, probably directly onto her nose.
sherriey
why in hell would you send your horse to a trainer known for his brutal ways???
wait…i know…that almighty frikkin blue ribbon and the prestige behind it!!!!
this is Bull-Sh#$!!!!
another reason in why i never send my horses to trainers….rather do it myself and know its done kindly and right!
M.
The owner just pointed the finger right at herself. Who smiles during an interview like this, then to say it is a common training technique? So basically she allows this on her ranch. I hope the investigators shut her down.
Jennifer
Bitting up shouldn’t involve leverage bits or beating.
Biting up I have no idea.
Waling is hitting.
Wailing is crying.
I’d help edit.
shelley
if horses are dying its obviously a ridiculously awful training technique. calling it controversial is like saying rape is a controversial sex act.
Jimmi Clayton
Biting a horse up when done correctly is not cruel. It can be a very good technique when done correctly with the proper bit. It is common with reining horses. It is done a lot in multiple types of events. Often young horses to get used to a bit in their mouth & giving laterally to pressure. You would start them out in a smooth snaffle. The nose should only be turned in slightly in the direction you want them to turn. It aids in teaching them to roll their neck & carry it in the proper position. A handler should be in eye sight of the animal. There is nothing painful about it when done correctly. It’s a reward from pressure release concept. Now… The way this trainer used the technique was cruel. He should have never tied it around tight. Beating her was uncalled for no matter what. Beating a tied horse that can’t escape the pressure is just a violent human with no control over their self & has no place working with horses. This horse was basically beat to death. The man should have charges brought against him. The owner of the Farm seems to find it comical I’m not so sure she is innocent. She sure don’t even seem to be in shock or angry over the loss.
sherriey
….i bet she wasn’t upset for a reason…and that reason being that the horse was INSURED!
so she isn’t angry nor upset…b/c she now can go out and buy another one for this trainer to abuse!
i have seen it many many times at shows….the trainers abuse and the owners don’t give a rats-ass b/c if the horse dies…then the insurance check will fix all!
Candice
Poor baby, I wish people would look outside of themselves for a bit so they can see the damage they do
Lisa Howard
special place in Hell for someone like that!
Hannah
Because they explained this so poorly here is what “biting up” is. It is a training technique where one or both reins are tied to the saddle and the horse is allowed to fight itself or yield to pressure. It can work but it is a very archaic method. Normally you use a snaffle or jointed bit that is easier on the horses mouth and you never walk away from the horse. You also use quick release knots and break-away reins incase the horse does panic. This guy was obviously not doing this. he was using a solid shank bit that is much harder on the mouth and I am assuming did not use break-away reins. The barn owner is equally to blame in this case. She kept the guy after he killed a horse the year before most likely because he is cheap.
Morgan Griffith
I would much rather come into the modern age and train a horse with patience instead of the quick fix. If you have developed a relationship built on respect and not fear and pain it shouldn’t take that much longer to achieve the same result.
That bit that they were using looked like a rusted piece of farm equipment. Certainly nothing I would allow to be put into a horse’s mouth.
Petra Johnson
The owner is ok with that kind of treatment??? They should take all her horses away, she don’t deserve them, lets hope someone does it to her!!!!
christa Pynn
I saw this story this morning. Breaks my heart! Never, never, never check a horse in a curb bit!!!! They are NOT designed for lateral movement, and besides that, don’t be lazy, use the feel of your own hand to teach the horse softness. Sorry, to rant, but the Annie Oakley in me comes out when I see this kind of stuff. Where not in the dark ages anymore!!
T
I agree with you fully. You should use the feel of your own hand to train a horse to do the smaller circles this method is attempting to teach. You can feel their movements and if they falter MUCH faster if you are actually hands on and with them.
T
that doesn’t seem to read right the way i typed it last. what I mean is you can feel IF they falter and you can feel their movements better
Cheryl Flanagan
Admitting it killed a horse last year and now this horse, why is it considered a training method. What is wrong with this woman who smiles about it. It is great suffering for this horse and I bet many, many more. Both owner and trainer need to be prosecuted and be know an animal abusers. We are the voice for the animals, Their voices admit torture and they seem to accept it, perhaps even enjoy it. In 2013, they know there are much more humane methods of training, they are both very guilty.
jaime
Smiling after your horse just suffered a painful death? Supporting the cruel training method that just took her life? This woman clearly doesn’t know the true bond between human and horse and likely never will as long as they seem so easily disposable to her. Ughh. Ashamed to be human…again.
Alexandra
This bastard should die for doing this!
Ziggy Pope
I have trained horses my whole life. This is NOT a normal training method!!! This owner belongs in jail with the trainer!!!
This is ABUSE!!!
Becky Waldron
Shes smiling!! I want to punch her in the face!!
Darlene
I hope this person is jailed for this cruelty!!! I do NOT use a bit in my horses mouth AT ALL!!! If you train a horse correctly you can move them with your eyes and body language!!!! I am, by no means, a professional trainer but I can get my horse to move 1 foot at a time with my eyes and lifting my hand….There is NO need to use force or torture to train ANY animal!!!!
BlessUsAll
Amen, Darlene. Amen.
Fern Reimund
DO THE SAME THAT SOB I WILL GLADLY DO IT
Chris
Nice seeing the horses owner smiling!!! Geeze they should put a bit in her smirking mouth! Outrageous!
Lorraine
Why do they still use this so called training technic there r lots of other more natural ways it does not have to be this was its just cruel
Betsey
I’ve raise Welsh ponies for almost 30 years…….. you have to get the trust, by kindness, to have the horse/pony be the best he can be.
Do you train your children with bits and straps, that can kill them. Where is kindness and love.?
All I can say is what a sick world this is.
Jean luc Cornille
This is outrageous. This trainer is not a trainer; he is a jerk, but he is not the only one. Months ago, a horse died because he was lunged with side reins and he flipped over. The horse did it once and the trainer did not questioned her technique. The horse did it again and died and the trainer still believe in side reins. In the light of new knowledge, the concept of placing the neck hoping that this will work the horse’s back is archaic, but exactly like say the owner or the barn in San Diego, “this is a very common training technique”. So is side reins. These techniques go on because they are not analyzed in respect of actual knowledge of the equine physiology. Horses die because trainers but also riders’ perpetuate archaic beliefs. There are the few that are killed but also the many which die mentally. Be aware of false practices.
Carole Ann Pujazon
All for a blue ribbon? What a crime. The love of a horse is prize enough. This sickens me and I would never consider any of these people as a trainer or a boarding stable for my horse. Shame on all of these cruel idiots.
L Killinger
In this day and age of training techniques in our world today – proper natural horsemanship techniques…..there is NEVER an excuse to abuse a horse like this. Don’t people investigate places before sending their animals out for training? The woman that owns the property clearly doesn’t give a crap about what happened, endorses it and should in fact be shut down. This makes me sick!! I hope charges are pressed……………..
Lisa
Cruelty begins where knowlege ends.
Tieing a horses head around and other stupid bitting methods are ignorant practices used by people with no other tools.
Sue Wallis Lies
What’s with the spikes on the curb strap? No nice, not nice at all. The owner was acting likes she didn’t even give a shit. Huh.
Sam
I have started, trained, and re-trained youngsters and mature rescue horses for over a decade, and I apprenticed under two excellent horsemen in my youth. I’ve seen a lot of good training, a lot of abuse masquerading as “training”, and a lot of abuse that simply came out of ignorance. I must say that tying the practice described here is one that pisses me the hell off. Several years ago, I was riding a horse I had in training, and ponying another when I happened upon a “trainer” who had left a two year old colt tied around with his rein knotted onto the back cinch. The “trainer” had left the colt in a nearby round pen while he worked another horse in the public arena. As I approached, the colt threw himself bodily on the ground, thrashing. When I came up, I hastily tied my two horses, went to the arena, and demanded the “trainer” get down and untie the colt before he hurt himself. He started to cuss at me and get in my face, so I started snapping cell phone pictures (public arena!) and saying that I was going to call the cops if he didnt untie the colt. He did eventually get off the other horse and let the colt go, but his mouth had been bloodied up and the off side snaffle ring was actually caught over his bottom front teeth. I did call the cops and give them printed copies of the photos, but I never found out if any charges were brought against him. The guy even threatened to beat me up (and I’m a woman) after I offered to call the cops, but I wasn’t going to back down and I told him I’d press assault charges if he so much as took one swing at me.
People REALLY need to stand up to assholes like the guy I encountered and the guy in this video. Obviously the women in the news story did not act as good stewards and protect the animal. Frankly, if I had been there, I would have probably tazed the jerk into submission and taken lots of photos while I waited for the cops to arrive. How long until a guy who is willing to beat an animal to death when his “training” goes south decides to beat a human to death?
Gus
Unfortunately horses get crippled or killed all the time. And nobody really does anything about it.
Mark Arballo is known as a mediocre trainer with a bad temper and an alcohol problem.
But these kind of people find always another ignorant horse or farm owner, who likes to hear what they reach.
Nothing is too dirty and too cruel to get a lousy belt buckle or a trophy. The sanctioning bodies also turn the head the other way.
Nobody wants to deal with it.
The “biting up” process can be done safely and without any cruelty. But you have to know what to do and/ or better said you have to CARE FOR THE HORSE!
SHAME ON YOU MARK! SOMEBODY SHOULD PUT A BIT IN YOUR MOUTH AND TIE YOU AROUND!
Anne Springer
This is animal cruelty and would rise to the level of a felony in my state. This person is not a trainer, he’s an animal abuser and should be prosecuted and jailed. The idea that any animal needs to suffer that way in the name of training is just preposterous. This brings tears to my eyes, and if I were that horse’s owner, the “trainer” would be facing the biggest lawsuit I could afford to bring. What a disgusting excuse for a human being.
harleyrider1978
Its easy to see nobody here has ever broken wild horses much less tried to train a horse before………Its easy real easy for a horse to maim you for life or kill you. A good trainer with a green horn horse owner that doesn’t know jack about horses should never ever take the job to train that persons horse.
Touchy feely emotional rants is what kills pilgrims around horses. It maybe pretty but they can be more dangerous than any other animal you call a pet!
jfinch
It’s a different world, Harleyrider. Putting everyone else down while claiming you know best says a lot about where you are coming from.Just because you think you know best doesn’t disallow the opinion of others, some of which are excellent trainers of mustangs.
Morgan Griffith
Thank you Jerry.
sherriey
…and besides, Harleyrider1978….who said none of us ever trained horses? i have been doing it for over 40 yrs!!!!!!!!!!
get your head out of your ass and read the blog better!
and who the hell died and left you the authoritative king here anyway? it seems you are confusing Horses with Harleys…better get back on yours and ride…you’d be better off!
Jena
After coming from a year of showing western pleasure horses I’m sad to say this is COMMON for them to use this! It is not a training technique. It’s laziness. They tie the horse around to make its neck sore so they cannot carry it high. The horse learns nothing is only in pain. Pathetic how care free the horses owner is about the incident. That was an expensive horse and she’s probably getting paid insurance from that horses death.
chuck norris
When the owner smiles like that after her trainer kills a horse it means he’s doing her. After killing two horses, sex is the only thing that could keep that man his job. Wait till the husband catches on, he’ll get bitted up…haha
Sherillyn
WHY is ranch owner Martha Torkington smiling? What is funny? Is this amusing to her? She should be arrested, tried in court, and banned from owning horses!
Anja Hooymans
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO SENT TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES AND THE SAN DIEGO PROCECUTOR TO SET AN EXAMPLE!
https://www.causes.com/campaigns/34806-stop-abusive-training-methods-for-horses-in-every-equine-discipline
Leslie M. Bliman-Kuretzky
Signed and forwarded on my wall
Morgan Griffith
Here’s contact information for RiverValley Ranch for anyone that is interested in letting their opinions known right to the source.
2454 Monument Rd
San Diego, CA 92154
619-977-8496
contact@therivervalleyranch.com
sherriey
thanks for the link….i signed!
Sandy Caruso
I’ve watched for decades as new fads arose in the show ring of the horse industry. The one that disturbs me the most is seen in the reining and reined cowhorse competitions at major shows INcluding the futurities and derbies. The horse is forced through training to run with his nose at or near knee level. That is NOT normal. We can thank the trainers and judges, and the two major horse registries for allowing this un-natural movement. These show horses resemble push-button robots. I believe this originated with the ‘peanut rollers’ aka the western pleasure horses. Often we would seen the horses that were to compete in these classes with their heads tied UP high in an un-natural position in the stall. Showing appears more to be about making the trainer or owner look good at the expense of the horse. These animals are so patient with us especially considering the abuse they often tolerate.
Virginia Drew
Why in the world would someone do this to any animal? I am so beside myself. The owner of the farm said this is done frequently as a training technique. If that is the case than there is more than one trainer ,if you can call them that, responsible for any of this type of abuse. That is not training that is submission through cruel and abusive FORCE. I hope all those people go to hell !
Marcia
A lot of animal “training” is torture, whether horses, or wild animals (who should be left alone). Most of the trainers seem to be guys who are ne’er do wells and couldn’t hold another job. The animals get stuck with them and pay the price.
grace rockey
The cruelty and abuse these intelligent animals have to go through is appalling and makes me puck. These animals have the intelligent to be shown through time and have the intelligence to learn tricks and do what is asked of them..there is not need for all the horrible equipment they use to on them either.Horses have the intelligence to learn to work with his owner..but these days the owners and trainers are becoming more barbaric in their ways of training a horse.,this is just wrong; my father had a horse and he trained him to fetch,bring back and go to and never had to lay a hand on him nor anything else in order to ride;; he did not break his spirit either when he got him as a young horse he ;;trained him with a rope till the horse TRUSTED DAD then Dad just got on him and rode him for nearly fifteen years..these were horse men and horse woman in the day today they are lacking more more in knowing the horse;s personality and ways..like everything else the horses will pay the price of ppl not knowing how to work with a horse.,the horse is an intelligent animal and it so sad and pathetic when ppl do not realize this and have to abuse,torture these beautiful animals to gain something that is can be gained with a bit of time..time is money so thus the horse pays the price with death or brutality.,the real reality is that for one case of horse cruelty and abuses others go un detected..charge the sob and others that abuse the horses and animals who are helpless and can not defend themselves..give this to god to make right..
celeste huston
One sentence..shame on the ranch owner~she is equally at fault// this is not training a horse, but certainly a quick fix with sadistic and abusive techniques! Anyone who continues to board at a facility or to have any to do with this stupid bitch owner should leave! there are many barns in the area..just leave and let the world know about this brutality which was gong on under her watch!
Kathy
Trainers like this should be ferreted out by all the equestrian disciplines and be banned for life!!! They give everybody else in the industry a bad name! This is cruelty at it’s worst and no one in the horse world could possibly condone this. I’ve owned reining horses for over 25 years and I’ve seen the good and the bad training methods on display at the shows. As an owner and also rider, I’ve become a careful observer of the behavior of various trainers’ horses and have learned to distinguish the ones who were developed carefully over time from those who were trained using “short cuts”. It’s sad that owners don’t educate themselves about safe and humane training methods for their chosen discipline. If they would, these cruel trainers would soon be put out of business!!!
Bri
Here is Bella’s Page. Please make comments and show your support while we are trying desperately to put the people responsible for this horrendous act behind bars!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Bella-Gunnabe-Gifted/652116531473236?ref=ts&fref=ts
The owners are Martha Torkingtin-kiss, her husband, George Kiss. The “reining Trainer” is Mark Arballo and his GF is Patrice Hohl.