A DARLINGTON woman has been disqualified from keeping horses after her five of her animals were found in 'appaling conditions', caked in faeces with overgrown hooves.
Christy Leigh Jones, 35 was sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on December 8 following a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.
The court heard that the horses were kept in stables a vet estimated had not been properly cleaned out for at least six months.
Their hooves had also been left to grow untrimmed.
RSPCA Inspector Gemma Lynch, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity said: “The stables in which the horses were found were filthy.
"The horses stood on inches of faeces.
“There was very little natural light and a strong smell of urine and faeces throughout.
"Micky, Paddy and Dinky’s stable doors were being pushed open by the buildup of bedding creating a gap where they could possibly trap a leg.
The horses' front hooves were in a terrible state
"In order to lead the horses out of the individual stables, piles of sodden straw and faeces in the central aisle had to be cleared as they prevented the stable doors from opening.”
A vet examined each of the horses and concluded Micky, Paddy and Ruby had not had any hoof trimming for at least 12-months or more and Dinky and Rainbowdash for six months or longer based on the differences in hoof length.
It is normal practice for a horse to have their feet trimmed every eight to 12 weeks, and sometimes more frequently.
The veterinary report submitted to the court also said: “These horses have been kept in appalling conditions.
"They were living in their own excrement and several of the horses had faecal material matted on their hair.
"This environment is completely unacceptable and is a significant health risk for these horses.
“Based on the depth of faecal material accumulated with bedding, I would estimate that these stables had not been appropriately managed for at least six months.”
The horses and ponies were caked in filth
Magistrates imposed a five-year ownership disqualification relating to horses only Jones was found to have caused them unnecessary suffering.
Jones, of The Mead, Darlinton, cannot apply to have the ban lifted for the entire five year period.
She was also ordered to pay £840 costs.
Two of the horses have since been rehomed, with the remaining three soon to be made available for rehoming.
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