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A woman in Wales has been banned from keeping horses for life after three mares in her care were found to be under-fed and riddled with lice.
Bays Lottie and Silkie (pictured, top) and cremello Polo were discovered in a field in Llanfigael near Hollyhead with their spine, ribs and pelvic bones showing.
The RSPCA was called in April this year, where an inspector also found the dispirited ponies to be infested with lice.
Sally Ann Boon, 48, of Llwyn Hudol, Bangor pleaded guilty to offences under the Animals Welfare Act on Wednesday (7 September) at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court.
She admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to three horses, failing to provide them with a nutritionally balanced diet and failing to address their poor physical condition.
In addition to being banned from keeping any further animals for life, magistrates ordered Boon to pay £500 costs.
RSPCA inspector Mike Pugh said: “These horses were covered in lice, had no grazing and were not attended to for weeks. All these factors meant that their body condition deteriorated and they were in a poor state.
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“Fortunately we were able to give them the care they deserved. They have all made a good recovery and they are going to be made available for rehoming in the near future.”
Equine rehoming officer Gareth Johnson said that with treatment and an appropriate diet, the ponies had fortunately been “transformed”.
“They are are approximately 12.2hh and we will be looking for a family home for them and potentially someone with a showing background,” he said.
“They are easy to handle and will have an excellent showing ability. Their body score is fantastic and they are very healthy. It has been a great transformation.”
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