A US man has been accused of force-feeding his horse hot peppers.
Krisha Shiva from Quincy, Illinois, has been sentenced to one year of probation on a charge of “misdemeanor cruelty to animals”.
As well as feeding his mare, Diva, hot peppers, he was accused of riding the seven-year-old without shoes on a gravel road and whipping her with a leather strap.
Mr Shiva was also given a $300 fine and sentenced to 30 days in a local jail, but he will not have to serve this unless he violates probation.
He has lost ownership of Diva, who has been taken to a rescue facility. She is reported to have a collapsed lung and will not be able to be ridden again.
