What you mention happened to my son and myself the Elephant handler was hitting the Elephant around the ears with a metal hook, this was hurting the Elephant and it bolted, we were terrified the handler managed to slow the Elephant down and we were able to get off, I gave the handler and his management a fair mouthful, but nothing sunk in, articles about cruelty from handlers have been in the news many times over the years and nothing is done, I would never ride or go near an elephant again, they are mistreated beautiful intelligent beasts that don't need this.