The Judicial Control Authority will wait for submissions before deciding on a penalty for farrier Billy McCraw, who was found guilty of misconduct at the Waikouaiti Racing Club's meeting on New Year's Day.
McCraw admitted striking the horse Fantamo, but denied the charge of misconduct at a hearing on the day.
McCraw was employed as the plating inspector on the day but agreed to shoe the horse.
He told the hearing the mare was fractious throughout him completing his task and he had to discipline her by slapping her on the neck and shoulder area.
The mare also attempted to cow-kick McCraw.
However, apprentice jockey Rebecca Black, who was in charge of the horse, gave evidence that she saw McCraw strike Fantamo two or three times with his hammer.
Club veterinarian Peter Gillespie inspected the horse and said soft-tissue swelling on the near-side flank abdominal muscle area was consistent with a hammer being used.
''We accept that Fantamo had attempted to cow-kick the respondent on at least one occasion before he used the hammer and that the horse had come close to kicking him,'' JCA committee members Geoff Hall and Paul Knowles said in their written decision.
''However, the opportunity was available to Mr McCraw to withdraw and take stock of the situation and, in particular, for him to adopt a measure other than striking the horse with a hammer.''
The committee found the charge of misconduct to be proved as the use of the hammer and the manner in which it was used were beyond the realms of any reasonable disciplinary measure and therefore in breach of the rules.
